Empathy (Hey, Little Ant)

Hey, Little Ant is a great book that challenges readers to look at life from an insect's point of view.  It is the perfect book for teaching empathy.   It can be really difficult for young students to understand the concept of "standing in someone's shoes" and this book does a really good job of showing just what this means.  

Hey, Little Ant can be used to teach so many different topics.  The teacher's guide lists the following:

Respecting differences

Fostering respect for all living things

Considering stereotypes

Recognizing alternatives to resolving tension through violence

Exploring concepts of big and small, powerful and powerless

Standing up to peer pressure

Connections:
I absolutely love the lesson that lunchbuddiesplus shared on her blog.  She uses Hey, Little Ant to show the difference between  a "thinking of you" person vs. a "just me" person.

You can also get some ideas from the Hey, Little Ant Teacher's Guide.

Some good resources on TPT:
Social Skills, Perspective Taking, Thinking about others  ($3.50)


Bullying- Hey Little Ant! ($3.50)


These are all FREE on TPT:
Hey Little Ant Point of View by Lockwood's Little Learners


Ant Writing Response Pages {Freebie} by Jen Ross - Teacher by the Beach


Hey, Little Ant Opinion/Persuasive Writing by Creativity-To-The-Core



Ant Craftivity by Kelly-Morgan


Hey Little Ant Bulletin Board Writing  by Working-4-The-Classroom

Hey, Little Ant! Reader's Theater by Hanssen-House

Being Yourself (Self-Acceptance)

I wasn't kidding when I said I was focused on self-acceptance this week!  If you missed my other posts about self-acceptance you can check them out HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.  Today I am showcasing several books that I use to teach lessons on self-acceptance.  

The Colors of the Rainbow:  

Just like the colors of a rainbow, each of us is unique!  Kids are encouraged to celebrate their differences.  This is also a great book to teach diversity!  You can purchase it HERE.

Lesson Connection:

Rainbow Of Friends: Celebrate Differences

Carla's Sandwich

This book encourages children to embrace their individuality, no matter what others think.You can Purchase Carla's Sandwich HERE.

Carla's Sandwich Connections:

I host a "Weird Sandwich Party" each year.  The kids love it!  You can get ideas HERE.

Strategy Sandwiches

Sandwich Self-Esteem Notebook

Odd Velvet

Velvet's classmates think she is odd but by the end of the story they find out that her differences are what make her so much fun!  You can purchase this book HERE.

Odd Velvet Connections:

Odd Velvet Back to School Social Skill Activities and Discussion Questions :($1.75)

Lesson Idea

Discussion Questions

Promoting Character with Pride

Bulletin Board Idea (found on Pinterest...source unknown)

Zoe The Misfit

Zoe is a green triangle stuck in a world of red circles.  Zoe has a hard time fitting in with the others because she is different.  This is a great book for teaching students to be themselves even if they are different than others.  It is a great reminder that everyone has something unique about them.  You can purchase Zoe The Misfit HERE.

Hey, You're Great!
This book is great for students in grades 4-8.  The story is fun and talks about the silliness that comes from trying to be just like others.  

You can Purchase Hey, You're Great HERE.

Lesson Connection:

whattheteacherwants.blogspot.com created an awesome lesson to go along with this book and it's FREE!

You can find another lesson idea HERE.
"Painted"-Social Skills poem and questions - self esteem, self respect

A Bad Case of Stripes

A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon, is a story about a girl who is embarrassed to let her friends know that she likes lima beans.  She doesn't want to stand out as being different.  This is a great story about self-acceptance and uniqueness.  The story teaches several lessons:  it is okay to be different; you should be proud of yourself; stay true to who you are; don't worry about what other people may think.  There are hundreds of blog posts, lesson plans and ideas out there for this book.  I am proving "connections" to the ones that are most relevant to school counseling.  You can purchase this book HERE.

Reader's Guide and Activities

How I use this book:  I take a photo of each child and upload it to ipiccy.com.  I then use the "pencil sketch effect" to turn each picture into a coloring page.  I have students give themselves a "bad case of the stripes".  They can also do polka dots or any other design.  They then complete an "i'm unique" activity found on TPT.  Here is a picture of my daughter with a bad case of stripes using ipiccy.com.  These picture would also make a great bulletin board display.

I use these discussion questions:
Why wouldn't Camilla eat lima beans?
How can we tell that Camilla was worried about fitting in?
Why was Camilla relieved that she didn't have to go to school?
How does Camilla feel when the students laugh at her?
Would you consider this bullying?  Why or Why not?
Why did the old lady give Camilla lima beans?
Did Camilla continue to care what the other kids thought of her?  Why or Why not?
Have you ever been afraid that people will laugh at you?
Are there things that you like that your friends don't like?
What is more embarrassing, having stripes or admitting that you like lima beans?
What makes you unique?

A discussion on feelings, a freebie and an adorable bulletin board can be found at http://theimaginationnook.blogspot.com

I also found some good ideas at  http://smittenwithfirst.blogspot.com.  This lesson covers feelings as well as problem solving:

http://pencilsglueandtyingshoes.blogspot.com shared a great door decoration:

Some teachers have even decorated PUMPKINS to look like Camilla!

(photo found on Pinterest...source unknown)

Others have dressed up as Camilla (this would make a great Hallloween costume)

http://stonebookworms.blogspot.com/

There are several free lessons on Teachers Pay Teachers:

You're Unique Freebie

A Bad Case of Stripes Class Book

Sequencing Activity

Listening center response-A bad case of the Stripes

David Shannon: A Bad Case of Stripes: Pill Bottle Template

Listening Practice: A Bad Case of Stripes

Bad Case of Stripes- FREEBIE!!!

Reader's Theatre Full Class Script: A Bad Case of Stripes

Bad Case of .... Your Own Version Cover Directions!

A Bad Case of Stripes problem/solution worksheet (kindergarten)

A Bad Case of the Stripes: Class Book FREEBIE!

A Bad Case of Stripes Free Bulletin Board Activity

"A Bad Case of Stripes"

Bad Case of the Stripes ($4.00)

Bullying Prevention Lesson link to "A Bad Case of Stripes" video PBIS Choices ($9.50)

File Game

Purchase A Bad Case of Stripes HERE.

Spookly The Square Pumpkin

Spookley the Square Pumpkin is an adorable story with a meaningful lesson about being different. Spookley the Square Pumpkin is a great book to read to Kindergarten or First Grade Students.  You can visit the Pacer Website to download free materials including a skit, comprehension activities, lesson ideas and more.  You can also visit this website to request materials.

You can purchase the following items on Amazon:

Book, CD and Plush Pack

Spookley The Square Pumpkin DVD

The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin (Book Only)

Spookley Plush Toy

There is also a "sequal" to Spookley the Square Pumpkin:

Spookley the Square Pumpkin: A Family to Be Thankful For

Description from Amazon:  I don't have a family, "Spookly said with a mon.  "I'm the only square pumpkin that has ever grown."  Spookley the Square Pumpkin wishes he had a family and a place he belonged.  He feels sad and alone, until he discovers that no one family tree grows quite the same as another.

Counseling Connections:

Spookley the Square Pumpkin Song (If I was Round, If I fit in)

Unique Pumpkins- Spookley the Square Pumpkin *FREEBIE*

Spookley the Square Pumpkin Telling vs Tattling (free)

Spookley the Square Pumpkin Book Companion ($4)

Spookley Craftivity: A Different Kind of Pumpkin ($2.00)

Spookley the Square Pumpkin Themed Activities (I am Special Because...) ($1.75)

Spookley Problem/Solution Activity

Self Discipline and the Spookley Pumpkin (ASCA aligned lesson and activity) ($1.50)

Spookley Template (Free)

Story Questions (Free)

Lesson Idea from Mrs. Brinkman's Blog

Lesson Plan

A Spookley Snack

Related Posts:  It's Okay to Be Different...We all fit in

Spaghetti in a hot dog...Having the Courage to Be Who You Are

Yesterdays post was about one of my favorite bullying books, The Juice Box Bully.  You can read that post HERE.  I mentioned that The Juice Box Bully is a follow up to Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun.  I use Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun to talk about problem solving with my second graders.  We put Kelso's choices on hot dog buns and discuss how Lucy could have used each choice to solve her problem with Ralph.  Here are our hot dogs:

This is a great book to use in individual/small group/classroom counseling lessons.  I have used it to talk about courage, self-esteem, problem solving, bullying, respect, diversity, kindness, friendship, conflict resolution, etc...  I also love that this book comes with a reader's guide full of lesson ideas.  I have connected Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun to several activities which are outlined below.

Description from Amazon:  How can Ralph be so mean?  Lucy is one of a kind and Ralph loves to point that out.  Lucy's defining moment comes when Ralph truly needs help.  Because she knows what she stands for, Lucy has the courage to make a good choice.  This charming story empowers children to always do the right thing and be proud of themselves, even when they are faced with someone as challenging as Ralph.

Reader's Guide

Lesson Ideas and Comprehension Questions

Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun Venn Diagram

Compare yourself to a friend activity

Recipe for Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun

Diversity Lesson to go along with Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun

A Lesson on Kindness

Unique...That's Me! Activity and Lesson

It's Okay To Be Different-We All Fit In!

I was recently introduced to Todd Parr's books and I have to say that I am loving them!  They are bright, colorful and pretty funny.  I just finished a lesson using It's Okay to be Different.  This is a lesson that I have done for years but I always used the book What I Like About Me!.  I like to switch things up but I could probably use both books and make the lesson even more meaningful!

Both of these books teach remind children that it's okay to be different. These books teach kindness, empathy, diversity and most importantly, self-acceptance.
Discussion:  What does the term diversity mean?  Take some time to discuss student's thoughts and ideas about diversity.  Do you know anyone who is like the characters in the story?  Why do you think the author used the colors that he did?  
Activity:  Play a version of "Simon Says" where students do something if they meet certain criteria.  Some examples:
If you are 7 years old stand up
If you have brown eyes put your hands on your head
If you wear glasses turn around
If you like green beans stand on one foot

Activity:  Play compliment tag  Have students sit in a circle and pick one person to be "it".  This student says another student's name and then gives that student a compliment.  The student responds by saying "Thank You".  The student who received the compliment is now "it" and must compliment another student in the group.  This continues until each student has had a chance to receive a compliment.

Activity:  Give each student a puzzle piece (link below).  You can have them draw a picture of them-self on the puzzle piece OR you can have them decorate it however they would like.  I have done both ways.  Once everyone is fineshed, put all of the pieces together.  Lead on discussion about all of the unique pieces coming together to create one beautiful picture.  

Diversity Puzzle:  Puzzle Pieces  or Puzzle Kit

Todd Parr's Webpage has some FUN stuff:  Fun Stuff

Connections:
It's Okay to Wear Boys Socks-A Very Diverse Lesson
It's Okay to be Colorful and Creative
It's Okay to Feel Different
Ipad App
It's Okay to be Different
Class Book Idea

Common Core Connections:
Literacy
RL.1.1 Ask and answer questions about key details in text.
RL.1.2 Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
RL.1.3  Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

Speaking and Listening
SL.1.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussion.
SL1.1b Build on others' talk in conversations by responding to the comments of others through multiple exchanges.