1️⃣ To Parents
Today’s story centers on Gigi, a creative and thoughtful eight-year-old student who misplaces her sketchbook before a school art show. Through this experience, your child will explore values like honesty, perseverance, and problem-solving in the face of small but meaningful challenges.
This lesson helps students:- Use past tense storytelling
- Practice emotional vocabulary and cause-effect connectors
- Reflect on actions and consequences in a school setting
2️⃣ Today's Reading
The Lost Sketchbook
Gigi loved to draw. Her sketchbook was filled with colorful drawings of cats, flowers, and her favorite place—the big tree behind her school.
Next week was the school art show, and Gigi had been working on a special piece: a painting of the school playground in sunset colors. Every day after class, she added new details. She wanted her drawing to make people smile.
One rainy morning, Gigi got to school early. She unzipped her backpack and gasped. Her sketchbook was gone.
“I must have left it in the library!” she said to herself.
She ran to the library, but the librarian said she hadn’t seen it. Gigi checked her desk, the art room, even under the stage curtain in the auditorium—but nothing.
By lunchtime, her friends Isaac and Eva noticed her quiet face.
“Want help looking?” Isaac asked.
Gigi nodded, holding back tears. Together, they searched every hallway. At last, Eva checked the lost-and-found box in the school office. “Gigi!” she called. “Is this it?”
Gigi rushed over. It was her sketchbook—wet on the edges, but safe!
“I left it in the music room yesterday,” she realized. “Thank you!”
That night, Gigi stayed up late, carefully fixing the pages. A week later, her finished piece hung proudly at the art show. Her teacher smiled and said, “Your picture tells a story. And so does your effort.”
3️⃣ New Vocabularies
- sketchbook /ˈskɛtʃˌbʊk/ – 素描本
Gigi’s sketchbook held all her favorite drawings. - auditorium /ˌɔdəˈtɔriəm/ – 禮堂
She looked under the stage curtain in the auditorium. - lost-and-found /ˌlɔst ən ˈfaʊnd/ – 失物招領處
Eva found Gigi’s sketchbook in the lost-and-found box. - gasp /ɡæsp/ – 倒抽一口氣
Gigi gasped when she saw her sketchbook was missing. - detail /ˈdiːteɪl/ – 細節
Gigi added new details to her drawing each day. - effort /ˈɛfɚt/ – 努力
Her teacher said the artwork showed great effort.
4️⃣ Hi, Kids!
Have you ever lost something special and had to stay calm and keep trying?
How did you find it again, and what did you learn? “Even though I was upset, I kept looking until...”
5️⃣ Questions
- What was Gigi preparing for?
A. A dance show B. A science fair C. An art show D. A music concert - What happened in the morning?
A. Gigi forgot her homework B. Gigi lost her sketchbook C. Gigi stayed home sick D. Gigi drew a new picture - Where did they finally find the sketchbook?
A. In the library B. Under Gigi’s desk C. In the auditorium D. In the lost-and-found - How did Gigi respond to the problem?
A. She gave up and cried B. She asked for help and kept looking C. She blamed others D. She told the teacher to cancel the show - What did the teacher say about Gigi's artwork?
A. It was not colorful B. It was unfinished C. It told a story and showed effort D. It needed more practice
6️⃣ 🌟 Good Job
Way to go! Just like Gigi, when you face a problem, don’t give up—keep trying and ask for help when you need it. That’s real strength!
