Learning goals

We are learning to…

Success criteria

I am able to…

Notice and wonder

Let's take a close look at the cover art for the following story. Do you notice any words that you know?

What Makes You Happy? Main Cover Audio

What do you think the story will be about?

The story is called “What Makes You Happy?” by April Fynes.

Does this give you any more ideas about what the story might be about?

Share your thoughts with a partner, if possible.


What makes you happy?

Before we explore the story “What Makes You Happy?” by April Fynes, let's think about the word happiness.

Pause and Reflect

Pause and reflect

What does happiness mean to you?

Can you describe a time where you felt happy?

If possible, share your thoughts with a partner.

Let's read!

Read or listen to the first page of the story “What Makes You Happy?” by April Fynes.

What Makes You Happy? Page One

What do you notice about the first page of the story? What is the person doing?

Press Let’s Check! to reveal a possible answer.

The person is in a garden smelling flowers.

Let’s check out the next page!

What Makes You Happy? Page Two

What do you notice in this picture?

Press Let’s Check! to reveal a possible answer.

The person is drawing a picture.

Let’s check out the next page!

What Makes You Happy? Page Three

What are the people doing in this picture? How does it make them feel? How do you know?

Press Let’s Check! to reveal a possible answer.

They are running, jumping, and rolling. I think it makes them feel happy because they are smiling and laughing.

Pause and Reflect

Pause and reflect

Take a moment and think about what it feels like when you run, jump, or roll. How does it make you feel?

Let’s check out the next page!

What Makes You Happy? Page Four

Pause and Reflect

Pause and reflect

Do you have something special that you like to do with your family or friends? What is it?

Child by basketball hoop game, sister eating cotton candy, and mother in background pointing toward face painting station.

Now, check out the last page!

What Makes You Happy? Page Five

Now that you have explored the story, what do you think the story is about? What is the story trying to tell us?

Press Let’s Check! to reveal a possible answer.

The story is about what makes people happy.

The story is trying to tell us that you can be happy in different ways. Different things make each person happy because people are all different!

Let’s review some words from the story!

Use the buttons to read, listen to, and check out pictures of words from the story.

Sentences

A sentence is a group of words that tells a complete idea.

A declarative sentence tells us a fact or shares information, like someone’s feelings or ideas.

Declarative sentences start with a capital letter and end with a period.

Check out the following example of a declarative sentence!

The text “I am happy when I draw.” An arrow pointing to the “I” is labelled “capital letter”. An arrow pointing to the period at the end of the sentence is labelled “period”."

Now, listen to the sentence being read.

I Am Happy When…

Let’s use some of the words from the book in sentences!

Explore these examples with audio. Do you notice the capital at the beginning and period at the end of each sentence?

I am happy when I explore nature.

Nature Sentence

I am happy when I run in the field.

Run Sentence

I am happy when I play with my friends.

Play Sentence

I am happy when I show love.

Love Sentence

Your turn!

Think about the author’s question: What makes you happy?

Use the following sentence starter to answer the question in a complete sentence.

I am happy when (Blank) .

Press Hint to reveal some ideas.

You may feel happy when:
  • you do an activity
  • spend time with the people you care about
  • you are kind to your friends and family
  • spend time outside
  • enjoy your favourite foods

Brainstorm a few ideas.

Write down 1 or 2 sentences on a piece of paper, in a notebook, or using another method of your choice. If possible, share your sentences with a partner.

Putting it all together

People outside doing activities that make them happy: bicycling, dancing, reading, running, spending time with family and jumping rope.

Use the sentence you created in the Action section to draw yourself and what makes you happy. Write your sentence under your drawing.

Complete the Happiness Activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.

Happiness Activity

Press the Activity button to access the Happiness Activity.

Activity (Open PDF in a new window)

Sentence review

Now that we have explored sentences, let’s check our learning!

Select the correct answer, then press Check Answer to see how you did.

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.