Elmer the Elephant

The school year is in full swing and I am excited to share some more fun lessons that I have been using. I started the year reading Elmer to all of my k-2 students.  This book was a big hit!

Elmer is a cute story about an elephant who feels badly about his appearance.  He is the only elephant who isn't gray and he feels like the other elephants are laughing at him.  Elmer goes through great lengths to change his appearance but ends up discovering that his uniqueness is a good thing. Elmer's friends decide to celebrate Elmer's uniqueness with an Elmer's Day parade.

You can purchase Elmer HERE.  There are a ton of follow up books to Elmer and I just ordered Elmer's Special Day as a follow up story.

How I used this book:  I read Elmer to students.  I asked students the following questions:  Did Elmer like himself in the beginning of story?  Why or Why not?  Did the other elephants like Elmer?  Why or Why not?  Why did Elmer want to look like the other elephants? Did Elmer like himself better once he looked like the other elephants?  Did the other elephants like Elmer better?  I then had each student share a few things that make him or her unique.  Each student was given an elephant (I printed from google images) to decorate in their own unique way.  I gave them the option of using dot markers, regular markers or scraps of paper. I then displayed the elephants on a bulletin board.  Here is my board halfway completed:

(I found this bulletin board idea on Pinterest and couldn't find the original source.  If you know who credit belongs to please let me know.)

Lesson Connections:
Celebrating Diversity with Elmer
Elmer Lesson Pack (With outlines of Elmer)

A lesson on Diversity (The Crayon Box that Talked)

My third graders are finishing up their "crayon lessons".  We started with The Day the Crayons Quit and then did a lesson on Making Friends is an Art! and we are now using The Crayon Box that Talked to talk about cooperation, teamwork, diversity, getting along and acceptance.    There are many different options for using The Crayon Box that Talked.  You can purchase The Crayon Box that Talked from Amazon, you can view the YouTube video of the story HERE, a Vimeo version here or you can print a copy of the poem version HERE.

Lesson:  I started my unit on cooperation by reading The Crayon Box that Talked.  We then had a group discussion on working as a team and being unique.  We talked about the feelings of the crayons in our first story, The Day the Crayons Quit and we also talked about Brown from Making Friends is an Art and students had a really great discussion on what it would be like if we removed brown from our boxes of crayons, markers or colored pencils for the remainder of the school year.  The main idea of our conversation being that all students are unique and have something special to contribute to the class.  I then gave each student a piece of paper and told them that they were to draw the most beautiful picture that they could...using only ONE crayon.  We ended up with pictures like this:

Once everyone had completed their pictures we had another discussion.  Students talked about the challenges they faced trying to make something beautiful with only one crayon. Students eventually came up with the thought that school wouldn't be as fun if they didn't have classmates with their own unique qualities.  

The next step was to create a class picture.  I used puzzle pieces that I found free on TPT.  You can find those HERE. Each student received a puzzle piece and they were instructed to write their name in the middle of their piece and to decorate it using all of the colors.  Finally, I took all of the pieces and put them together to make a class picture with the heading "We all Fit Together".  I haven't had time to hang the completed puzzle yet but I found some examples on some other blogs:
Playing in Prep shared this classroom puzzle:


I found this one on Miss Beadles Class Blog:

More Connections:

The Crayon Box that Talked (free)

The Crayon Box That Talked Writing Papers (free)

The Crayon Box That Talked Writing Activity (free)

The Crayon Box that Talked Activity for Back to School (free)

We All Fit Together: Diversity Sign for Display (free)

The Crayon Box that Talked ($1.00)

Related Lesson:
Making Friends is an Art! (making and keeping friends)
The Day the Crayon's Quit (Empathy)

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Counseling with Cupcakes (lessons on just about everything!)

I was organizing my bookshelves and noticed that I have quit a few counseling books with a common theme...CUPCAKES!  Who doesn't love cupcakes?!  I have books that teach lessons on self-esteem, problem-solving, coping skills, friendship, etc...

I love this lesson using the book Cupcake.  I found a worksheet companion on Marrissa's Blog and love it!  I use this book with students in K-2.  

Another favorite is Peanut Butter and Cupcake.  This is an adorable book about friendship.  The story is about Peanut Butter, a lonely piece of bread, who sets out to find a friend but ends up being rejected by hamburger, egg, cupcake and many other characters in the story.  The main message of the story is that it can be hard to make friends but that you can't let yourself feel down or give up on yourself when other kids won't play with you.

I found a Free Lesson on TPT to go along with Peanut Butter & Cupcake:

Teaching Friendship in the Classroom

There is another Free Lesson from TheHappyTeacher HERE.

This packet is also free on TPT and a few of the pages work for counseling related lessons:

This one would be cute for a discussion on Following Directions

I also have Happy Birthday Cupcake and use it to teach the "thinking of solutions" and "exploring consequences" part of Problem Solving.  Happy Birthday Cupcake is about a cupcake who is planning her own birthday part.  Cupcake runs through a list of ideas (solutions) while her best friend, Blueberry Muffin, finds reasons why they won't work (consequences).  For example, If she has a beach party some of her friends might melt in the sun!  

Happy Birthday Cupcake

I don''t have Rude Cakes but I just ordered it and can't wait for it to come in!  This book is about not-so-sweet cakes with bad manners.  The main character is an annoying pink cake who uss hurtful words, never says please or thank you, doesn't listen to its parents, doesn't share and refuses to take turns. He also bullies a small cupcake at the playground.  Rude cake ends up learning the value of being polite and the story ends with the saying "Of course, no cake is ever too rude to change".

Rude Cakes

Lesson Using  Rude Cakes HERE.

What a Cupcake Can Do! looks like a cute book about self-acceptance.  The main character is a tiny cupcake who feels insignificant in comparison to the huge, fancy wedding cake in the bakery window.  Cupcake is focused on looks verses achievements until she finds out that the great thing about being a cupcake is that cupcakes can work together to make cupcake cakes.  You don't need to be big to feel special!

More Connections:

This is a great idea for teaching coping skills:  My Cope-Cake

This download for Kid Kindness Day is too sweet!  You put ways to be kind in each of the "sprinkles".  Free download from http://lewislearninglibrary.blogspot.com/

I also found these Cupcake Conversation Cards ($3.00 on TPT)

Conversation Starters (free on TPT)

If you have a student who has a food allergy or food sensitivity Why can't I have a cupcake? looks like a good resource:

This would be a cute self-esteem activity to do with Jr. High students or with a life skills class

Cupcake Game: This looks like a cute game for pre-k or early elementary students.  The description on Amazon states that it is a simple and fun way for developing patience, learning to follow-directions, categorizing and recipe following skills.  The object of the game is to bake your recipe before the other players.  Players attempt to collect their ingredients and the fist to collect all of them wins.

Cute TEACHER APPRECIATION bulletin board idea from www.momschoolsupplies.com

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Tacky the Penguin

Tacky the Penguin is a cute book about being yourself.  Tacky the Penguin is an odd bird and doesn't behave like all of the other penguins.  He wears crazy Hawaiian shirts while all of the other penguins are in their tuxes.   The other penguins find Tacky annoying until his odd behavior saves the day!  I use this book with kindergarten and first grade students to teach lessons on tolerance, self-esteem, self-acceptance, etc...

Purchase Tacky the Penguin HERE.

Connections:

Lesson:  Read Tacky the Penguin aloud for students then lead a discussion:

Discussion Questions:

Tacky the Penguin

Next, use the Venn diagram from the link below to compare Tacky to the other penguins.  

Tacky the Penguin

You could also use this printable to compare the actions of Tacky compared to the other penguins:  This printable has a cute writing activity called "Like Tacky" with a shirt that students can decorate any way they wish.

Tacky the Penguin Companion Printables

You could also have students write on this paper:

Tacky the Penguin Writing

Next, have students create their own "Tacky Penguin":

Create your own Tacky the Penguin

Finally, have students write a sentence telling you what they like about Tacky:

Writing Prompt: I like Tacky because...

Here is another cute idea from Live, Laugh, Love Kindergarten:  Tacky Penguin Craftivity

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Better Than You

Today's connections are all about boasting, bragging, one-upping and acting conceited.  I have quit a few students who are having trouble in this area.  I find that these students often lack communication skills/social skills and aren't necessarily trying to make other students feel bad.  Bragging is a sure way to lose friends though so I am working hard to help some students communicate in a way that makes everyone feel good.  I am sharing three books that focus on this topic.  Better Than You is great for students in 4-5th grade (or older), Well, I Can Top That! is great for grades 2-3 and I'm the Best! is more appropriate for K-1.

Connections:

Better Than  You

Trudy Ludwig is one of my favorite authors and I think I have almost all of her books.  I really like the book Better Than You because the main characters are boys.  The main character, Tyler, has a friend who constantly brags about "being better".  I use this book to help students understand that braggaing can ruin friendships.  This book also has a section for parents and teachers to help guide discussions.

Better Than You Lesson

Better Than You Lesson plan

Well, I Can Top That

Description from Amazon:  Brad has a lot of great things going on his life or at least that's what he tells all of his classmates!  When one student wins a contest, he told about how he won an even bigger contest!  When another student broke his arm, he told about how he broke both arms AND both legs!  Children and adults will get a real kick out of Brad's tall tales as he learns the importance of being a 'pull-upper' and not a 'one-upper.'  

Well I can top that! Lesson (TPT: $1.25)

I'm the Best

Description from Amazon: "I win! I’m the best!" Dog boasts. He can run faster than Mole, dig better than Goose, swim faster than Donkey, and he’s much bigger than Ladybug. He wins! Unfortunately, Dog’s nonstop bragging is starting to make his friends feel kind of sad. But what if they mixed things up and looked at them differently? Could they teach Dog a lesson — and remind him of what it means to be a best friend?

I'm the Best Activity Sheets

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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.