Activity Resources
Description
This activity prepares students for reading aloud the book, Hold On to Your Music: The Inspiring True Story of the Children of Willesden Lane. The story is about the life of pianist Lisa Jura, and exemplifies the themes of love, separation, courage and hope through music. Students will identify things that they love and discuss the concept of separation and reflect on a time they have been away from someone they love. Next, students will watch and analyze the testimony of Vera Gissing and consider how her experience on the Kindertransport involved family separation, identifying the tangible and intangible gifts her parents imparted to her that helped her in facing this challenge. Students will then participate in a guided picture walk of the book to predict what the story is about and make connections to their own lives.
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