The Power of Giving

Due to the nature of my work, I have been able to see a group of students grow and mature over the course of five years. Throughout this time I have noticed something very positive about this group of students.

When they were young, they were selfish. If they wanted a treat they would asked their mom and if they were denied... they couldn't handle it.

When they played with their friends- they wanted to play what they wanted to play. They couldn't play what their friend wanted to play.

Rhyming with the Bunnies!

I love both the Rhyming Dust Bunnies and The Big Mean Dust Bunny by Jan Thomas. These books bring rhyming to life as the "dust bunnies" carry on a conversation while unknowing being in a dangerous situation.

A word of caution! If your class has ELL students it is harder to explain "dust bunny" than to show what one is. By bringing in an example (either real or a photograph) you are able to save yourself lots of explaining!

Immigration and Inclusion

What classifies one as “the other”? Xenophobia, or the dislike/fear of foreigners is a very real problem in schools. However, it is not limited to majority classrooms, but minority classrooms can also breed a brand of xenophobia. 

In the story The Island, Armin Greder explores the reactions of a community when a stranger washes up on the shores of their island. He is naked, does not speak their language and is stranded at the hands of the villagers. They are confused. They do not know who he is or what they should do with him. It is a fisherman that stands up for the stranger at first and reminds the villagers that they cannot send him away for it will lead to his death.

Thinking Through THUNKS

Have you heard of THUNKS? A Thunk is an enticing question that makes you pause, wonder and look at the world just a little more critically.  The alluring book A Little Book of THUNKS by Ian Gilbert is a great way to bring good natured debate into your classroom. 

I tried introducing THUNKs to my kindergarten students. Every day I put a Thunk on the board, and gave the students time to think about it. We then participated in a critical discussion. 

The insight into the answers made me pause and smile. One Thunk that we discussed was, “if you take all the books out of the library, would it still be considered a library?”  This question soon departed from yes/no answers as student struggled with the concept of sharing and how it would be wrong for someone to take all of the books from the library.

Noticing Anxiety Cues

The bell rings, signaling the end of another recess as my kindergarten class makes their way, single file, into the classroom. I take stock of the tired, sweaty and smiling faces and notice one spot of concern.

One of my students, Chad, is tightly wound with his shoulders scrunched into his neck and his eyes are darting around the classroom as he takes the fact that he is not outside anymore.

Encouraging Reluctant Readers with the 2STEVES

As a librarian I often come across students who are only in grade four or five who have already lost interest in reading. Since students stop having designated library times after grade five, I take it as a personal challenge to find ways to entice these students back into reading throughout the year.

There was this one boy, let’s call him Sam. Sam hated reading. He detested library time and insisted that books were for losers and there was nothing I could find that he would like. We tried graphic novels, adventure, science fiction and mystery- all different levels. Nothing would interest him. I then had the pleasure of inviting Steve Skidmore and Steve Barlow (the 2Steves) to my library. In preparation of this, I started reading excerpts from different novels that they had coauthored to the entire class.

Using stories to Teach Compassion and Acceptance

One thing that always saddens me is when I see a situation between students that exemplifies a complete lack of compassion.  I am constantly on the lookout for literature that highlights compassion and acceptance of differences in a way that doesn't overtly preach but allows students to draw their own conclusions.

Looking After Louis, by Lesley Ely, is a lovely story told from the viewpoint of a student who notices that one new student in the class, a boy, is not being included. Through kindness, patience and a soccer game, the students learns how to accept this one boy into the classroom dynamic and gain sensitivity for the needs of others.