Follow the Moon Home: A Tale of One Idea, Twenty Kids, and a Hundred Sea Turtles
NRDC Series
What’s inside...
In 'Follow the Moon Home', Vivienne, a young girl, moves to a new town in South Carolina and discovers a sea turtle nesting area that is in danger due to local lighting. She organizes her classmates and community to take action. Together, they work on a campaign to turn off the lights along the beach during the turtle nesting season to help the baby turtles find their way to the ocean by following the moonlight. The story delivers an eloquent environmental message while demonstrating how kids can change the world through teamwork and perseverance.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-10
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made the children in the story want to help the sea turtles?
How do you think the children felt when they saw the problems facing the sea turtles?
What are some ways we can help animals or people in our own community?
What did you learn about teamwork from the story?
If you could create a project to help someone or something, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child what they know about sea turtles before reading to gauge their prior knowledge and build curiosity.
Encourage empathy by asking how they would feel if they were in the situation of the sea turtles.
Highlight the importance of community action by discussing with your child how collective efforts can lead to significant changes.
Explore more about sea turtles together online or in a local library to extend learning beyond the book.
Suggest planning a family project inspired by the book that promotes community engagement or environmental conservation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: The book illustrates how twenty children collaborate to save sea turtles, showcasing the power of working together towards a common goal.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in group activities at school or in the community, learning to cooperate and value each team member’s contribution.
Example Lesson: Environmental Responsibility
Explanation: Through the children's initiative to protect sea turtles, the story teaches the significance of taking care of our environment and the creatures within it.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to participate in local clean-up projects or other environmental conservation efforts, fostering a sense of responsibility towards nature.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The protagonist, Viv, demonstrates problem-solving skills by identifying the issue and rallying her peers to create a solution to help sea turtles.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to observe issues in their surroundings and think critically about viable solutions, boosting their problem-solving skills in real-life situations.
Example Lesson: Leadership and Initiative
Explanation: Viv takes a leadership role by mobilizing her classmates and community to save the turtles, highlighting the impact of taking initiative.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of leadership and are inspired to take initiative in their own lives, whether in school projects or in helping others.
Example Lesson: Advocacy for Change
Explanation: The book shows how even young individuals can advocate for change and make a substantial difference, as seen in their project to save the turtles.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children that their voice matters and that they can advocate for positive changes in their community or school.