TEACHERS TAKE NOTE

Roses For Gita

Rachna Gilmore

Illustrated by Alice Priestley

Paperback, $7.95, ISBN 978-0-88448-224-6

8.5 x 8.5, 24 pages, color illustrations

Children / Multicultural; Grades 3-6

Roses for Gita neatly illustrates the power of a friendly gesture. Although Gita is initially put off by her elderly neighbor, she reaches out to him with a gift for his garden. Past misundertandings are cleared away, and the two develop a close bond based on their mutual affection for gardens and music.

Roses For Gita will help inspire classroom conversations about:

• Crosscultural friendship
• Intergenerational friendship
• Gardens
• Neighbors and communities

Activity: Introduce the Idea of Cultural Heritage—Listen to Traditional Indian Music

Have children listen to different types of classical music. All over the world people enjoy making music in groups. The Western orchestra is particularly large as there may be as many as 25 different instruments playing at the same time. Classical music in India is played with only three instruments. The lead instrument is the sitar which is like a large lute. It plays the melody and is accompanied by two other instruments.

• Check out your library for recordings of Indian music

Activity: Introduce the Idea of Cultural Heritage—Hatha Yoga

Practice some Hatha Yoga poses. Yoga is an Indian method of stretching and toning the muscles that is also very relaxing. The poses have names such as Tree Pose, Dog Pose, and the Cobra.

• See the Internet Resources

Activity: Introduce the Idea of Cultural Heritage—Indian Food

Taste some Indian food. Gita author Rachna Gilmore has provided a recipe for making a delicious vegetable One-Pot Bahji.

• Check this recipe out on the Teachers Take Note page of Lights for Gita