The Proudest Blue Activities and Comprehension Questions
How do you teach your students about discrimination and bullying? Read on to find The Proudest Blue activities and comprehension questions that focus on identity, self-acceptance, empathy and respect.
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali promotes themes of being proud of our identity and what makes us different. You can reinforce the following topics in the classroom:
- Identity
- Tolerance
- Confidence and courage
- Self-esteem and self-acceptance
- Discrimination and bullying
- Kindness and empathy
- Respect for all people
- Resilience in the face of challenges
Scroll down for The Proudest Blue activities, discussion questions and videos.
The Proudest Blue Synopsis
Faizah is excited to go shopping with her sister, Asiya, to help her buy her first-day hijab. The blue hijab represents beauty and strength. On the first day of school, sisters, Asiya and Faizah walk hand in hand.
When Faizah’s classmate questions what Asiya is wearing, she worries about her sister. Faizah hears hurtful comments made to Asiya by children who don’t understand why she is wearing a hijab. Faizah admires her sister’s beautiful blue hijab and doesn’t understand why some children don’t understand its beauty and strength.
Concerned, she watches for her sister’s reaction, who turns away from the bullies. Faizah remembers her mother’s advice to “drop” the hurtful words of others. Faizah learns the bullies do not upset Asiya, and she continues to wear her hijab with pride. She follows her sister’s examples and ignores the bullies. As the sisters head home, Faizah can’t wait to wear her own blue first-day hijab.
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali
Illustrator: Hatem Aly
Publisher: Walker Books
ISBN: 9781783449729
Ibtihaj Muhammad: Offical Website
S.K. Ali: Offical Website
Hatem Aly: Offical Website
Related Books
- All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
- Hair Love by Matthew Cherry
- Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall
- The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
- Under my Hijab by Hena Khan
- Mommy’s Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
- Hats of Faith by Medeia Cohan
- Muslim Girls Rise: Inspirational Champions of Our Time by Saira Mir
- Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors by Hena Khan
- Ramadan Moon by Na’ima B. Robert
The Proudest Blue Activities & Resources
I have created a bundle of literacy graphic organizers for The Proudest Blue. You can find them at my Teachers Pay Teachers store. Click on the image to go directly to the pack. There are many activities for each literacy area to differentiate depending on your student’s ability/age. They include activities for:
- Author’s Purpose
- Character Traits and Analysis
- Main Idea and Theme
- Making Connections
- Point of View
- Problem and Solution
- Retelling, Sequencing and Summarizing
- Making inferences
*Click on these links to discover book recommendations on these topics.
FREE The Proudest Blue Activities
Would you like free graphic organisers for The Proudest Blue?
I have a freebie that is part of this larger resource so you can try it out before buying anything!
Fill in the form below to get access to the FREE pack.
External The Proudest Blue Activities & Links
Bright Agency: Behind the Book: The Proudest Blue
CLPE: Teaching Notes for The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family
Learning for Justice: Social Justice Lesson- The Proudest Blue
Scholastic: The Proudest Blue Teaching Notes
The Proudest Blue Read-Aloud Questions
Read aloud sessions are a wonderful way for children to understand the connection between written text and spoken language. You can model reading habits and strategies, reading fluency, tone and eye contact. You can also introduce different genres, authors and illustrators.
- How did you know Faizah was the narrator? How would the story have been different if told from Asiya’s point of view?
- What kind of person is Asiya/Faizah/Mama?
- What was the conflict in The Proudest Blue? How was the conflict resolved?
- How do you think the book would have ended if Asiya had engaged with the bullies?
- What message/lesson do the author’s want the reader to take away from reading The Proudest Blue?
- Why did Asiya and Faizah react differently to the bullying?
- What evidence did you find to show what the hijab represents to Asiya and her family?
- How do you know Asiya is proud of herself and of wearing her hijab?
- Why do you think some children didn’t understand why Asiya was wearing a hijab?
- What influence do you think Mama’s advice had on Asiya? How do you know?
- Why was it important for Asiya that her friends support and respect her?
- Why do you think Ibtihaj Muhammad wrote this book?
- Look at the author’s notes. What do you think of Ibtihaj Muhammad’s reasons for writing The Proudest Blue?
You can find a full set of discussion cards in The Proudest Blue Literacy Bundle or as a separate pack with over 90 questions included.
The Proudest Blue Videos
On Facebook, you can watch a video of the author, Ibtihaj Muhammad, reading The Proudest Blue.
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