Firefighter Kayla (Katie Woo)
#7 in Katie Woo'S Neighborhood Series
What’s inside...
JoJo's aunt Kayla, a firefighter, visits Katie's class to teach them about her job. Katie is eager to ask questions but must wait as Kayla has a lot to share before the designated question time. The story explores whether Katie's patience will be rewarded with the answers she seeks about firefighting.
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make Kayla a good firefighter?
How do you think Kayla feels when she helps people in her community?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone? How did it make you feel?
What teamwork did you notice in the book? Why is working together important?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the story to life, changing your tone to match the excitement or challenges Kayla faces.
After reading, relate the story to your child’s experiences by discussing any instance where they helped someone or worked in a team.
Encourage your child to think about the qualities they admire in Kayla and discuss how they can develop similar traits.
Discuss the importance of community helpers and ask your child what kind of helper they would like to be.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Bravery and facing fears
Explanation: The story follows Firefighter Kayla as she confronts and overcomes challenges during her duties, showing courage.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of facing their fears and demonstrating bravery in difficult situations, such as trying new activities or standing up for themselves or others.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Kayla works with her team to fight fires and ensure safety, highlighting the importance of working together to achieve common goals.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in a child's everyday life during group projects at school or in team sports, where cooperation is key to success.
Example Lesson: Helping the community
Explanation: Throughout the book, Kayla is depicted helping her community by being a responsive and dedicated firefighter, which instills a sense of community service.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to contribute positively to their own communities, whether through participating in community clean-up, helping out neighbors, or other communal activities.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Firefighter Kayla uses critical thinking and problem-solving skills to handle emergencies effectively.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to apply logical thinking and problem-solving skills in their daily challenges, be it resolving conflicts with peers or overcoming obstacles in learning.
Example Lesson: Professional aspiration
Explanation: The book presents firefighting as a noble and exciting profession, inspiring respect and interest towards this and other professions.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to explore different career paths and understand the roles various professionals play in society.