Cg Sample Betina

The Companion Guide to

Betina’s Adventures

Und e Stairs

™

a d v e n t u r e s Written & Created by Ruth A. Pavilonis

™

a d v e n t u r e s

2007 London Book Festival: Honorable Mention 2008 New England Book Festival: Honorable Mention

Published by Ruth A. Pavilonis ­­­ — Betina’s & Bailey’s Adventures P. O. Box 2779 • Santa Cruz, California 95063 • www.betinaandbailey.com © 2009 Ruth A. Pavilonis.

All rights reserved.

No portion of these books and CD, or any works resulting from them, may be reproduced or distributed in any form for commercial purposes. Schools, teachers, clubs, organizations, and institutions, please contact the publisher for use guidelines and licensing. Library of Congress Control Number: 2009905463 ISBN: 978-0-9840791-0-0 Printed in the United States of America with lead-free, child-safe ink Logo, Cover, Book Design & Artwork: Design Source Creative Inc.

Praise for Betina’s & Bailey’s Adventures Families My 6-year-old son, Justin, is on the spectrum of autism. As such, he has difficulty remembering what a story is about and has a hard time retelling it. Your story’s format gives my son and others the opportunity to connect with the story, engage in the process, and to express themselves. It gives them the chance to draw the character as they see it, not as we want them to see it. Thanks for sharing the story with me and Justin, and with all the kids who will benefit from reading them.

Lyna & Justin Le, San Jose, CA

I love this book! As a parent of three and spending many hours reading stories to my children something new and refreshing is always needed. Betina’s & Bailey’s Adventures is a fun, innovative, and creative story and experience. I appreciate The Companion Guide with leading questions and concepts to inspire kids to think and learn from the story...This book is great for travel, to leave with a babysitter, or just for an evening home with your child.

Shauna Horton, Soquel, CA

Teachers, Reading Specialists & School Counselors Having worked with children over many years to improve their reading skills, I am struck by the technique utilized in The Companion Guide. The questions posed require prediction and visualization, both of which are comprehension strategies. They encourage making connections, finding details and main ideas, recognizing cause and effect, and vocabulary development. The format and variety of questions make these stories an invaluable tool for teachers and parents to help children increase their reading skills while enjoying some marvelous adventures.

Rose Hersey, Certified Reading Specialist, PA

Kids will love getting to know Betina & Bailey. The characters’ exuberant imaginations and creativity transport the reader instantly into other times and places. “Leading Questions” enable a parent, teacher, or other grown-up to involve the child further in the story while stimulating critical thinking. And how wonderful to allow the child to be the illustrator! These stories need to be a part of every young reader’s library.

Susan Dunswell, Naturalist & Educator, PA & HI “A Virtual Whale Watch” and Children’s Educational Liaison for The Center for Whale Studies www.centerforwhalestudies.org

As an educator, I see so many benefits to the Betina & Bailey series, from the creativity and critical thinking opportunities to reading comprehension skills. I haven’t seen a better method for encouraging good reading practices than those found here. This unique series takes the reader through the process of imagining the details surrounding the characters and story setting. By asking the reader to provide these details, Pavilonis helps the reader engage with the story, which can draw kids into the world of imagination and the magic of the written word—and maybe even create a love for reading.

Tamera Parks, M.A. Educational Counseling Former English Teacher, California High School Guidance Counselor



More Praise for Betina’s & Bailey’s Adventures

Licensed Counselor & T herapist With eloquent attentiveness to a child’s time for learning about the world, Ruth invites kids to utilize their own imaginations. In her poetic and articulate invitation, she offers a great gift: the door into our own creativity; something which needs special attention in a time of media bombardment. This book is destined to be a delight for youth.

Dr. Laurie Moore, PhD, LMFT, CHT Author, Speaker, National Media Resource www.drlauriemoore.com

Certified Coach As a life coach, I help people to dream big and then create roadmaps to turn their big dreams into reality. But in order to dream big, you need to be able to see the dream—to visualize what the big dream looks like, feels like, and even tastes like! There is no greater tool for this than an interactive story format like Betina & Bailey. Whether or not children create a hero with their same shape, color or background, these stories allow children to see themselves anew, teaching them that they can reach for the stars, regardless of where they start the journey. Moreover, they offer children the opportunity to see themselves as whole, perfect and complete just as they are, and that is priceless.

Jeffrey Van Dyk, CDC, CPCC Life & Professional Coach President, International Coaches Federation­ —San Francisco Chapter www.PracticalVisionary.com

Corporate Perspective Author Ruth Pavilonis’ talent is not just her writing but her ability to see through the eyes of a child. Today’s child is lost in the age of information where the Internet, reality TV and video games are tragically the new educational “tools”. She’s given something far more profound and cutting edge than any technology, she’s given a child the ability to be creative, expressive and imaginative! (Something that has a greater positive and lasting impact than the latest YouTube video!) Betina & Bailey is a gift—not just a story. From a real-life, corporate skills perspective, critical thinking in business is the rule not the exception and authors like Ruth Pavilonis is at the forefront of providing tools for children that will help them develop these critical-thinking skills to business skills.

David-Alan DeWald WWSE Executive Briefing Program Manager, Cisco Systems

Welcome to a New Adventure in Learning, Imagination, Creation & Interaction! T hese Facilitated Stories ™ : • Break the stereotypes of the Dick-and-Jane images. • Build unique character creation and identification. • Unleash the imagination by providing a safe and supportive environment encouraging. imagination, creativity, and self-expression. (There are no “wrong answers”.)

• Engage parents or others in the creative process. • Introduce and reinforce values and skills.

Innovative Format • Two characters, one story

The child chooses the character, creates what the character looks like and illustrates the story as he/she wishes.

• The electronic copy is included for “Do Over”, “Do More” and “Do It Again”. • Allows the child to get tactile with reading. • By immersing the child into the story and reading process, a love for reading can develop—or at least reduced fear.

• Builds many skills and traits:

– Self-Esteem – Leadership – Language

– Teamwork – Decision Making – Communication

– Imagination – Problem Solving – Critical Thinking

Complies With & Supports Many Education Standards • Utilizing Bloom’s Taxonomy (also called the Taxonomy of Educational Objectives), Betina’s & Bailey’s Adventures support and comply with these development categories:

– – – – –

Reading for Perspective Understanding the Human Experience Communication Skills Communication Strategies Evaluating Data

– – – – –

Developing Research Skills Multicultural Understanding Applying Non-English Perspective Participating in Society Applying Language Skills

and these education standards:

– The 12 Standards for English Language Arts defined by the IRA/NCTE (International Reading Association/National Council of Teachers of English)

– Each U.S. states standards for Language Arts (at the time of printing)

About the Author It seems that Ruth A. Pavilonis has always been a writer. From childhood on, she penned poems, cards, stories and other missives that, quite frankly, only her parents could love. Thankfully, they did. Over the decades, her writing career has taken many shapes. Whether writing marketing literature, training materials or technical manuals, writing children’s stories remains her passion. She believes children’s stories can work magic—if you want them too. They can stimulate the imagination, fuel dreams and goals, build social skills, and create better world citizens. Like a story, the child unfolds with the turning of each page. Join with her in this innovative way to add learning, fun and adventure to a child’s life. Help create tomorrow’s engaged and imaginative leaders and world citizens. And while you’re at it, let yourself have some fun, too.

Have Something to Say? Please Tell Us! We Learn by Sharing! Share Your • Ideas / Pictures / Success Stories / Testimonials • Comments / Suggestions / Feedback / Other Questions

How • Send your input to [email protected]

Sign Up for Our Adventurer’s Club & Be “In T he Know” Membership Includes • Advance notice of new adventures—know before the rest of the world! • Special promotions, offers and discounts • Other great updates and announcements

To Join • Send an email to [email protected] and say, “Sign me up!”

How to Use T his Book

Tips • The story’s format is designed to act as a spring board for imagination, conversation, and interaction.

• Encourage fanciful and fantastic descriptions. • Engage in the exchange of ideas by sharing your own thoughts, ideas, images, or past experiences. See where the conversation goes.

• Encourage the child/ren to draw pictures, verbalize images, or both. Create multi-media images by: – Cutting out pictures from magazines – Using family photos and drawing around them – Performing the story as a play

• Pick one of the topics in the story and explore it further. The options are abundant! • Don’t worry if you don’t finish the adventure in one sitting. Finish it another day. Often the best adventures take time to complete.

• Above all, HAVE FUN!

Teaching Points Here are some of the high-level messages and lessons you can highlight and reinforce.

• Baseline Messages (common to all stories in the series)

– Let your imagination go. Fantastic images are encouraged. Have fun!



– If you can dream it, you can do it.



– There are no wrong answers. This is your book. Your thoughts, images,

and ideas are right.

– If you notice a typographical or grammatical error, use it as a teaching opportunity. Besides correcting the mistake, you can reinforce other values: patience, forgiveness, understanding, and flexibility. Simple mistakes happen. Apologies, in advance. • Story-specific Messages

– Take charge of your day.



– Be responsible for your actions.



– Make your own fun.



– Fun comes in many forms, often in simple pleasures.



– Clean up after yourself. Put things back as you found them.



– Practice good sportsmanship. Play fair and try your best.



– Help at home, especially when asked.

“BORED!” Betina declared with her hands on her hips. “I’m so bored! There’s nothing to do around here!” She turned the TV on then snapped it off. She started a video game then changed her mind. She flipped through a book then tossed it aside. It was no use. Nothing interested her.

Leading Questions & Discussion Points 1. Describe Betina. • How old do you think Betina is? – 5, 7, 9, 10, 11. • What does she look like? – Describe her hair (color, style, length), eyes, skin, height, and clothing. 2. Describe Betina’s home, yard, neighborhood, and surroundings. • Where does she live? – City, country, suburbs, farm, forest, by the beach – California; Ohio; Cuzco, Peru; Vienna, Austria; Cairo, Egypt • What kind of building does she live in? – A brick two-story house; a high-rise in Tokyo on the top floor; duplex – Outside; in a tent; in a caravan; a nomadic life 3. Discuss boredom and reasons why boredom occurs. Describe the feelings. • Why do you think Betina is bored? What other feelings may she be feeling? – Reasons: There’s no one to play with; it’s raining; nothing new/of interest – Feelings: Listlessness; easily distracted; irritable; tired • What color, smell or sound would you pick to describe these feelings? Why? 4. Discuss ways to relieve boredom. • What things do you do to relieve boredom? – Call a friend; play a game; read a book

Activity Suggestions 1. Play the Synonym / Antonym Game. • Explain the difference between synonyms and antonyms. • Select the words to use or use those provided. – Boredom (disinterest, listlessness, doldrums) / Excitement (happiness, joy, glee) – On (start, initiate, begin) / Off (stop, end, deactivate) – Start (begin, initiate, activate, embark) / Stop (end, halt, quit, cease, desist) – Interested (focussed, paying attention) / Distracted (uninterested, spaced out) • Ask the child to act out or imitate what the words mean to him/her. 2. Make the story a play and encourage the child to perform the “scenes”. 3. Imitate Betina’s stance and actions.

1

With growing frustration, Betina stomped towards the kitchen. As she rounded the corner, she heard it. Whir-r-r. Whir-r-r. Immediately, delicious smells surrounded her and lifted her spirits.

Leading Questions & Discussion Points 1. Speculate the • What do – A – A – A – A

cause of the sounds Betina heard. you think made the sound? blender? mixer? coffee grinder? garbage disposal?

2. Speculate what smells good. Include things other than food items. • What do you think smells so good? What smells good to you? – Food Items: Cookies, dinner, lunch, bread baking – Fragrances: Flowers, candles, soap, perfume – Other Things: The clothes dryer – Something else? What? 3. Name things that smell bad. • What smells bad to you? – Food: Rotten eggs, liver and onions – Dirty Clothes: Gym clothes, old socks – Other Things: A skunk, perfume, a candle

Activity Suggestions 1. Play the Synonym / Antonym Game. • Frustration (stuck, blocked, discontent) / Excitement (happiness, joy, glee) • Delicious (good, yummy, tasty) / Horrible (awful, yucky, bad) • Lifted Spirits (happy, floating on air, exuberant) / Depression (sadness, despondent) 2. Perform the scene / Imitate Betina’s actions and the sounds. • Stomping towards the kitchen • Whir-r-r sounds

2



“What’re you making, Mom? Cookies? Can I help?” Betina asked hopefully. Turning off the mixer, her mom said, “I’m sorry, honey pie, not this time. Maybe later. Okay?” Betina shrugged. “Yeah. Sure. Whatever.”

Leading Questions & Discussion Points 1. Speculate what Betina’s mom is making. • Is she making cookies? Lunch? Dinner? 2. Describe the kitchen. • How big is the kitchen? • Where is it located? (on the first floor; next to the dining room; in the basement) • Does it have any windows? If so, what do you see? • Is the kitchen bright and sunny? • What color are the walls? Are they covered with wallpaper? • What else is in the kitchen? (appliances, table, cabinets, a pantry) • What do the floors look like? (tile, marble, carpet, wood, dirt) 3. Describe Betina’s mom. • What does she look like? What kind of clothes does she wear? – Hair (color, style, type), height, eye color • How old is she? • What is her name? • Does she have a job outside of the house? What is it? • Where does she work? How does she get there? (car, bus, train, walk, ride share) 4. Name and discuss the reasons why Betina’s mom may not want Betina’s help. • The recipe may be too complicated. • Her mom may be making a new recipe. • Her mom simply may not want Betina’s help. 5. Discuss how Betina may feel because she can’t help. • How do you think Betina is feeling? (sad, frustrated, hurt, angry) • What color, smell or sound would you pick to describe these feelings? Why?

Activity Suggestions 1. Play the Synonym / Antonym Game. • Disappointment (letdown, bummer, hurt) / Happiness (excitement, joy, glee, bliss) • Curiosity (interest, intrigue, inquisitiveness) / Boredom (apathy, complacency, disinterest) • Hopeful (optimistic, expectant) / Dejected (sad, bummed, discouraged, glum) 2. Perform the scene / Imitate Betina’s actions.

3

She moped all the way to her bedroom and flung herself on the bed. Plumphf. She flipped then flopped, tossed then turned. She stared at the ceiling then out the window. After what seemed like forever, Betina decided, “It looks like it’s up to me to make my own fun. But how?”

Leading Questions & Discussion Points 1. Discuss Betina’s feelings. Explain “mope”. • How do you think she feels? (sad, disappointed, frustrated, hurt, angry, a mix) • What color, smell or sound would you pick to describe these feelings? Why? 2 Describe Betina’s bedroom. • Where is her bedroom located? Which floor? In the front or back? • What color are the walls? Are they wallpapered? What is the pattern? • Are there windows? How many? What do you see out the window? • What else is in the room? (desk, computer, bookshelf, toys, books) • Is the room messy or clean? 3. Describe Betina’s bed and pillows. • What kind of bed does she have? (a cot, bunk beds, canopy bed, no bed) • What do the blankets look like? (lime green cotton; chocolate fuzz, white down) • How many pillows are on the bed? • What do the pillows look like? (satiny, shaggy, green, orange, polka-dotted) 4. List things to do to make your own fun. • What are things you do to make your own fun? – Play outside or play a game – Call a friend – Build a model – Read a book 5. Discuss why it is important to make your own fun. • Why is it important to make your own fun? – To prevent boredom, laziness, sadness, loneliness – To be with others; to laugh; to be active

Activity Suggestions 1. Play the Synonym / Antonym Game. • Mope (brood, sulk, pout) / Strut (walk proudly, swagger, parade) 2. Perform the scene / Imitate Betina’s actions and the sounds. • Moping to the bedroom • Flinging herself onto the bed, Plumphf • Flipping then flopping

4

Want to Have Another Adventure? Repeat or Fix a Page? Want to Add to the Adventure? T hen Use the CD and Begin Again! Bonus Pages • The Fun Book and CD contain blank book pages so you can create more shoe adventures or revise the ending.

Ideas for the Next Use • Use different colored paper. • Use family photos for faces and draw around them. • Make another version to give as a gift!

© 2009 Ruth A. Pavilonis.

All rights reserved.

Copying, sharing, distributing or modifying the CD and the files contained on it are prohibited by law. No portion of the CD may be used, reproduced or distributed in any form for commercial purposes.

What to Do? What to Do? Faced with the age-old dilemma, boredom, Betina decides to take matters into her own hands. Join Betina & discover the mysteries hiding under the stairs. Create with her great & wondrous adventures.

Take Reading Beyond the Mechanics & Create Some Magic! IMAGINE

YOU – Choose the character: Betina or Bailey – Decide what the character looks like – Create the images—or not – Engage in the adventure & experience the magic

– A multiple-use book that stimulates the imagination and enables conversation.

– A book that builds critical-thinking, reading

comprehension, personal and social skills—while meeting Language Arts education standards.

BENEFIT – This interaction eases the transition from picture

INTRODUCING

– The highly innovative, award-winning stories of

books to the next level, helping the child progress from a beginning reader to a skilled reader!

Betina & Bailey!

– The unique Facilitated Story™ format engages

– The clever co-creation process enables others to

the child from the start, encouraging the child to get tactile with reading.

participate in the adventure.

– Excellent for home-schooling, tutoring programs, babysitters, grandparents, travel, and more!

Honorable Mention 2007 London Book Festival

•

2008 New England Book Festival

Endorsed By Families • Teachers • Reading Specialists • Licensed Therapists • Counselors

Ruth A. Pavilonis, a writer & world traveler,

invites you to participate in this great adventure of fun & fantastic imagination & interaction. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and the Society for Technical Communication.

T he Portable Adventure Pack Includes: – Fun Book (the to-be-illustrated version) – The Companion Guide (your guide for added adventure) – CD (contains the Fun Book PDF for multiple reprinting)

Please visit: www.betinaandbailey.com

Printed with Lead-Free, Child-Safe Ink Ages 6 & Above

Printed on 100% PCW, sustainably sourced paper

Juvenile Fiction Language Arts & Disciplines

™

a d v e n t u r e s

USA $24.99