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djlanatron's review
5.0
I really enjoyed the layering format of this book; it seems like a really effective way to use read-alouds to increase student understanding. I appreciate that this was written from a standards-driven perspective as well
tswanson103's review
4.0
I found this book to be helpful in thinking about how to scaffold lessons that lead students to be advocates for themselves and others and to be able to empathize with those that are different from them. The first two layers were really strongly planned and involved extension activities that allowed the students to add some physicality to what they were learning, but I found the later layers to be lacking in this aspect. I also felt that the books chosen were focused on lower grades and am concerned that my 6th grade students will get tired of reading picture books, which may require some modifications.
I did overall find this framework very helpful in talking with kids about empathy and how we treat others without repeating the bullying lectures they receive every year of their schooling.
I did overall find this framework very helpful in talking with kids about empathy and how we treat others without repeating the bullying lectures they receive every year of their schooling.
claudiaswisher's review
5.0
This book is for teachers who see the destructive effects of bullying...on the bullied, the bully, and the bystander. Using children's literature as their tool, the authors give a pattern of lessons to be used in elementary classrooms, to lead discussions about the human condition which are also rooted in ELA standards...in this case CCSS. The authors may want to revise the standards portion of the book, as more and more states back away, but the true message of this book is NOT CCSS.
All the lessons are grounded in the authors five layers of understanding about what it is to be human: We are alike; but there are differences; how we respond to differences reveals our beliefs; our differences make us neither more or less than others; we own our thoughts and attitudes and actions. They show how each layer adds new elements and builds systematically from the earlier ones.
With that as the framework, the bulk of the book is lessons...again, systematically presented using the same pattern of activities for each picture book. The lesson pattern is presented and modeled. Extension activities are included.
I love the visual literacy introduction of each book...the teacher is to guide a 'visual tour' of the book, carefully keying into the elements that support the theme of the story...then the teacher reads aloud, with directions to 'listen for...think about.' When the class has read the book, the teacher asks students to think on your own...thirty seconds of silence. Then talk with a partner, stretching thinking. Finally partners share new thinking about the book, creating bumper sticker slogans to reflect the theme...Easily managable for a teacher, and exhibiting great practices to incorporate in the book. Models of open-ended questions run throughout.
Students are invited to "sit with the language for a few seconds" and invited to "sit with those thoughts for a moment." The language of invitation really appeals to me. It respects kids as thinkers.
That lesson outline is day #1...if teachers have the time to revisit, there are more activities to extend the thinking, and link to the next book.
The appendix is valuable -- community-building activities (again, the authors tap right into my own belief system: the classroom must be a safe place for kids. There are resources and links for educators, as well as a list of more books that could be used to foster conversations.
The classrooms envisioned in this book would be so important for students to learn the attitudes of community, caring, respect, support.
IF I have a 'beef' it's that the books are all lower elementary...with some chapter books. I would love to see the authors...or someone else extend these lessons, and include more YAL literature...I understand the difficulties of longer works, but teens need these lessons as much as little ones.
All the lessons are grounded in the authors five layers of understanding about what it is to be human: We are alike; but there are differences; how we respond to differences reveals our beliefs; our differences make us neither more or less than others; we own our thoughts and attitudes and actions. They show how each layer adds new elements and builds systematically from the earlier ones.
With that as the framework, the bulk of the book is lessons...again, systematically presented using the same pattern of activities for each picture book. The lesson pattern is presented and modeled. Extension activities are included.
I love the visual literacy introduction of each book...the teacher is to guide a 'visual tour' of the book, carefully keying into the elements that support the theme of the story...then the teacher reads aloud, with directions to 'listen for...think about.' When the class has read the book, the teacher asks students to think on your own...thirty seconds of silence. Then talk with a partner, stretching thinking. Finally partners share new thinking about the book, creating bumper sticker slogans to reflect the theme...Easily managable for a teacher, and exhibiting great practices to incorporate in the book. Models of open-ended questions run throughout.
Students are invited to "sit with the language for a few seconds" and invited to "sit with those thoughts for a moment." The language of invitation really appeals to me. It respects kids as thinkers.
That lesson outline is day #1...if teachers have the time to revisit, there are more activities to extend the thinking, and link to the next book.
The appendix is valuable -- community-building activities (again, the authors tap right into my own belief system: the classroom must be a safe place for kids. There are resources and links for educators, as well as a list of more books that could be used to foster conversations.
The classrooms envisioned in this book would be so important for students to learn the attitudes of community, caring, respect, support.
IF I have a 'beef' it's that the books are all lower elementary...with some chapter books. I would love to see the authors...or someone else extend these lessons, and include more YAL literature...I understand the difficulties of longer works, but teens need these lessons as much as little ones.
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