Rodney Rat cannot pronounce his r’s and the other rodents tease him. The teasing stops and Rodney feels good about himself and becomes the class hero when he is able to get rid of a class bully, Camilla Capybera.
Today we read this story in class. During this process I also implemented an idea from Paula in regards to "Are you breaking a friend's heart" activity. First I showed them a heart and we began with a discussion about what makes you feel good or happy. Then I told them that we were going to look for unkind words or actions in the story that would not make us feel good. As we read the story, I tore a piece from the heart throughout the story when there was teasing or bullying. At the end of the story, there was not much left of the heart.
At the conclusion of the story, we were able to move into a discussion in regards to how to fix problems in which we attempted to put the heart back together. Students realized it could still be a heart but it had many rips. One student compared it to scars that would always be there. That we may attempt to fix things but sometimes the damage is already done.
One student really surprised me in that she was able to vocalize and share her thoughts and ideas with the class, she normally does not share very much aloud.
I have many more children's literature books on my desk that I would like to read with my students. I believe these books are great tools that capture student's attention and can help in bringing up topics that need to be addressed. Now it is finding the time to read them weekly. I did not do writing today which gave me time to read it with them.
What can I drop in our hectic schedules that will allow me in reading more types of these books? How about even creating our own class books in regards to certain themes? I have been frustrated with the demands of the school day and the drive to get through things, perhaps I need to take a step back and do some of these valuable activities that all students will benefit from.
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