Monday, March 11, 2013

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon

One of my favorite counseling books is, Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon, written by Patty Lovell and illustrated by David Catrow.  It can be used for so many different topics:  bullying, self-esteem, confidence, conflict resolution, overcoming obstacles, respecting differences, etc...



Molly Lou Melon is the shortest girl in the first grade.  She has buckteeth and several other traits that make her different.  Her grandma told her, “Walk as proudly as you can and the world will look up to you". Taking her grandmother’s advice, Molly Lou doesn't worry about being different at her new school.  She deals with the school bully by showing him that her faults are actually talents.



I found several great lesson plans online that I will share:
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon- lessons FREEBIE

Free Worksheet

http://www.bedford.k12.mi.us/~mre/Book%20of%20the%20Month%20pdfs/bommollylou.pdf

http://literacyinstructions.wikispaces.com/Making+Inferences+About+Characters+(Grade+3-5)

http://www.spokenartsmedia.com/StudyGuides/Stand%20Tall.pdf



Vocabulary:
alongside:  side by side
boa constrictor:  a snake covered with spots
proudly:  having or displaying excessive self-esteem or being proud of yourself
foolish:  lacking good sense or judgement (silly)
glee:  high spirited/joy
revealed:  to make known or to show something
bully:  A person who uses strength or power to harm or intimidate those who are weaker.
unique:  Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else
flaw:  An imperfection
strength:  being strong
fumble:  to drop something
glee:  happiness

Questions:

Before Reading:

  • Looking at the cover, what do you notice about Molly Lou?
  • What do you think this story is about?
  • What do you think "Stand Tall" means?
  • Have you ever had a time when someone was not nice to you?
  • Have you ever been called names because people thought you were different?
  • How did that make you feel?
  • How did you solve the problem? (we talk about using Kelso's Choices here) http://kelsoschoice.com/

While Reading/After Reading:

  • What made Molly Lou different from her classmates? (use pictures in story for reference)
  • What advice did Molly Lou's grandmother give her?
  • What did Molly Lou do when Ronald picked on her?
  • How did Molly Lou feel about herself?  How do you know?
  • How did Molly Lou “stand tall”?
Follow-up Activities:

  • Common Core encourages cooperative learning. Pair students and have them interview each other in order to find unique facts about one another.
Common Core Connection:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy RL.1.3  Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

CCSA.ELA-Literacty.RL.1.1 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL1.7 Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas



ASCA Standards:

A1.1  Develop positive attitudes toward self as a unique and worthy person
A2.3 Recognize, accept, respect and appreciate individual differences
A2.6 Use effective communication skills
B1.3 Identify alternative solutions to a problem
B1.4 Develop effective coping skills for dealing with problems
B1.6 Know how to apply conflict resolution skills



1 comment:

  1. Thanks for posting this lesson! I'm trying to cover the last few ASCA competencies before the end of the year and this will do the trick. :-)

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