The Energy Bus for Kids-A Story About Staying Positive And Overcoming Challenges

We are coming back from a 4 day weekend and I'm hearing a lot of grumbling today!  I thought it was the perfect opportunity to introduce The Energy Bus for Kids to some of my students!  The Energy Bus for Kids is a great story for changing a negative attitude.  A great perk of using this book is that there are plenty of free resources that go along with it.  I have downloaded the posters, journal and teaching guide and am so impressed with free materials (links below).  

The Energy Bus for Kids:  The book teaches students how to overcome negativity, bullies and everyday challenges.  The story is about a boy, George, who is having a bad day until his bus driver, Joy, helps him to understand that he has the power to choose his attitude.  George learns to fuel his ride with positive energy and finds that he has the strength to overcome challenges that come  his way.  He also learns that he can pass this positive energy on to others.  I love this story but I will warn you that it is a bit lengthy for little ones.  The message is great for any age but I would definitely break it down into several lessons.  The bullying section of the book is a lesson in itself!  

Some of my favorite themes from this book are:

"If you have a vision, then you also have the power to make it happen."

"If you fuel up with positive energy, you will have the power to overcome challenges and achieve your goals."

"Make sure you keep filling your tank with positive energy."

"When you show kindness to others you attract kindness like a magnet."

Connections:

Go to the book's website, http://www.energybuskids.com/, to download free posters, a free teaching guide and an Energy Bus Journal!

Free Teaching Guide-Lesson Plans and Activities

Energy Bus Journal

Guidance Curriculum:  Ideas for 9 lessons using this book! (shared by Leslie Avery and Leslie Johnson)

Energy Bus-One Word

Energy Bus Discussion Guide-This is for the adult version of the book but I thought it was worth sharing as some of the questions would be great for Junior High/High School students. (The adult version of The Energy Bus can be purchased HERE)

Interactive Bulletin Board Idea shared by Whats "App"ening Wesleyan?

Door Decorating Idea shared by Happy School Counselor

Purchase The Energy Bus for Kids HERE.

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