Knowing Your Students Inside Out!

Social-Emotional Learning

Social-emotional learning is the ability to recognize and manages one's own emotions, solve problems, and build positive relationships with others. In the classroom, this looks like daily check-ins, reflections through art and writing, collaborating, sharing, and understanding, and community building games and activities. The teacher should use student-centered discipline practices, be supportive and inviting, set high and attainable expectations, and encourage responsible decisions. 

Activity Examples:

• Dail Check-ins: This could be written, a wall-chart, or even a google survey.
• Calm Down Corner: Choose a secluded area, add visual supports, and refocusing activities (breathing exercises, stuffed animals, coloring book, journals, calming bottles)
• Calming Bottles: This is a great bonding activity for the entire class! All you need are bottles of some sort and things to fill them with!
• Morning Meetings: This can include greetings, sharing, activities, GoNoodle, and routine rundowns. 

Conscious Discipline

Conscious discipline gets rid of reward and punishment. This type of discipline allows teachers to address the emotional and social issues of their students. Instead, it includes empathy, composure, choices, positive intent, consequences, composure, assertiveness, and encouragement. An example of this being used within the classroom is the "Time Machine" method. To begin this method, have students "roll back time" by rolling their hands and wish each other well to set positive intent. Then, ask the students if they are willing to go back and solve the problem at hand. Have them take some calmin breaths and use conflict resolution sentence starters to begin the process of solving the problem. 

Apps:

• Superbetter- sets goals, uses games to progress healthy behavior
• Smiling Mind- guided meditation
• Peekapak- four-week curriculum to help build self-regulation and empath
• Avokiddo- learn essential emotional skills through dressing and taking care of characters

Super Stupendous STEAM

STEAM stands for Science Teachnology Engineering Art and Mathematics. Now, you may be thing, "Science, technology, engineering, and math all makes sense together, but why art?". Well, I'm glad you asked! This could be representaed as inclusion of Language Arts or as creative art. Students may integrate these as oral or written explanations or their scientific discorveries, drawings, videos, paintings, charts, diargrams, or an other visual or creative way they feel that they can best express their thinking and understanding.
Examples of this may also include:

• Engineering and Science Journals
• Presentations
• Drawings of their predictions and conclusions
• Written summaries of their experiementations

Books and Lessons:

• 11 Experiements That Failed by Jenny Offill and Nancy Carpenter - Lessons: Questions, hypothesis, what to do, what happened, experiements fails sometimes, encourages students to be curious and to experiment, teaches importance of having adult supervision. 
• The 3 Little Pigs - Lessons: Incorporates opoprtunity fo design thinking and engineering, have students make their own houses using different mateirals and see how their designs and engineering hold up against the big bad wolf.
• Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polocco - Lessons: recycling, teaching diversity, opportunity to write about their creations.
• The Mitten by Jan Brett - Lessons: sequencing events in the story and coding skills (Found on Teachers Pay Teachers).

Apps:

• NOVA
• Tappity
• PBS Play and Learn

Traditional Literature Book Blog #2

Stone Soup
Witten by Ann McGovern
Illustrated by Winslow Pinney Pels
Published by Scholastic Inc. in September 1st, 1986
Genre: Traditional Literature
Number of Pages: 32




Overview
In this timeless book, a very clever man successfully tricks an old woman into believing that soup can be made from a stone. As the pot of water boils witht he stone in it, the clever man urges the old woman to add wore and more ingredients until the soup is a feast that is "fit for a king". The illustrations perfectly depict their time period and are a great representation of what the story is trying to convey.

"Effective simple story about a young wayfarer who tricks an old woman into making a hearty soup. A funny story." 

-- Publishers Weekly, 

Grade Level: Pre-k - 3

Content Area: Literature, Friendship, Teamwork

Student Connection: This is a wonderful book to help depict the meaning of teamwork and friendship. 

If you were having problems with students not wanting to work together of work in groups, this would be

a great book to help them to understand why doing so is so important and constructive to their learning envionment. 

Traditional Literature Book Blog

The Ugly Duckling
Written by Hans Christian Andersen
Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Published by Marrow Junior Books on March 24th, 1999
Genre: Traditional Literature
Number of Pages: 40




Overview
This classic and unforgetable survival story of a brave and awkward little duckling marching through a cold and harsh winter full of many unwanted and unexpected experiences continues to have a place in many people's hearts. It is a reminder to us all of the patience and perserverence it takes to discover tru happiness in life. The beautiful watercolor illustrations perfectly depict the countryside and help to really bring every aspect of the book to life.

Grade level: K-3
Content Level: Science, Literature, Reading
Student connection: Not only is this a wonderful book to teach meaningful life lessons and hardships, this is also a great book to talk about habbitats and environments, as well as, the life cycle and habitat of a young duckling such as the main character. This would be great for gited students in younger grades or for students falling behind in older grades who need a little bit more of a push to understand and connect real life application to concepts that are being taught and introduced.

Historical Fiction Book Blog #2

Number the Stars
Written by Lois Lowry
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on May 2, 2011 (reissued edition)
Genre: Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 137




Overview
   While the German troops are beginning their campaign to "relocate" the Jews of Denmark, the main character, Annemarie Johansen, and her family takes in Annemarie's best friend, Ellen Rosen, and hides her by pretending she is a part of their family. Throught the eyese of a ten year old, we get to see the Danish Resistance smuggle almost an entire Jewish population, nearly thoughsands of people, across the sea of Sweden.  The heroism shown by the nation in this book helps to reminds us that there was pride and humannity even in the world of war and terror.

"The whole work is seamless, compelling, and memorable—impossible to put down; difficult to forget."

—The Horn Book

Grade Level: 5-6

Content Area: Social studies, History, Diversity

Student Connection: This would be a wonderful book to read when descussing the history of the German's and Jew's and the whole time period associated with that. I remember reading this book in sixth grade and I have never forgotten it since. I would have my gifted students read it and discuss it to help them to further expand their knowledge and to challenge them to really get into the perspective of someone living out this historical time period. 

Contemporary Realistic Fiction Book Blog #2

Because of Winn Dixie
Written by Kate DiCamillo
Published by Candlewick Press on March 2000
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Numer of Pages: 208



Overview
  Because of Winn-Dixie is a story of a 10 year old little girl who's live get changed by a fate encounter at her local Winn-Dixie grocerie store. Soon, Opal, our main character, realizes that the dog she rescued from the grocerie store is no ordinary dog. Choosing to name him after the store he was found in, Winn-Dixie continuously surprises his new owner and the many people they meet along the way. The illustrations on the cover are beautifully painted with vibrant colors that really help the readers to visualize the small town setting and the small town people who occupy it. This is such a wonderful book to introduce real-worl topics that may be hard to discuss withint the classroom setting. 
  

"Take one disarmingly engaging protagonist and put her in the company of a tenderly rendered canine and you've got yourself a recipe for the best kind of down-home literary treat. Kate DiCamillo's voice in Because of Winn-Dixie should carry from the steamy, sultry pockets of Florida clear across the miles to enchant young readers everywhere." 

— Karen Hesse, author of the Newbery-award winner Out of the Dust

Grade Level: 4-6

Content Area: Social studies, friendship, Diversity

Student Connection: This book is a great way to introduce students to real world matters. It discusses topics like divorce, death, and achololism. This would be a great book for gifted students to read in small group together and have discussion about the hard topics that are addresses within this book. 

Contemporary Realistic Fiction Book Blog #1

Wonder
Written and illustrated by P. J. Palacio
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on February 14th, 2012
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Number of Pages: 316



Overview
  Wonder is a beautifully written novel about a young boy who stands out. Auggie Pullman has a facial deformity. This challenges him and his whole family, especially when Auggie decides to go to real school instead of being homeschooled by his mom. I love how this story shows many different perspectives to really help to give the reader insight about what is going on in all of the characters' lives. The illustrations on the cover and throughout the chapters are simple, but yet, so impactful. Creating a sense of wonder and curiosity about each character and their story. 

"Wonder is essentially ... a wonder. It's well-written, engaging, and so much fun to read that the pages almost turn themselves. More than that, Wonder touches the heart in the most life-affirming, unexpected ways, delivering in August Pullman a character whom readers will remember forever. Do yourself a favor and read this book – your life will be better for it." 

- Nicholas Sparks, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Grade Level: 4-6

Content Area: Social studies, friendship, Diversity

Student Connection: This book is a great way to introduce students to differences and disabilities. If there were a student in the classroom with some sort of disability, this would be a great way to help students understand what they may be feeling of going through. 

Science Fiction Book Blog #2

A Wrinkle In Time
Written by Madeleine L'Engle
Published by Square Fish; Reprint edition (May 1, 2007)

Genre: Science Fiction
Number of pages: 256




Overveiw 
   The arrival of a disturbing stranger in the middle of the night is a shock to Meg Murry and her family. This is the beginning of an exciting and crazy adventure to find her father, who is a scientist who dissapeared while working on a secret project. This story perfectly dipicts Meg's unusual adventures throughout space and time.

Grade Level: 3-8
Contant Area: Language Arts, Science
Student Connection: This book is a wonderful book for gifted students who need a bit a more challenging read. This would be a great discussion book and class read, as well.

Science Fiction Book Blog

The Magic Tree House Book Series
Written by Mary Pope Osborne
Illustrated by Sal Murdocca
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers; Slp edition (May 29, 2001)

Genre: Science Fiction
Number of pages: 96



Overveiw 
  In the exciting and adventurous books, Jack and Annie are regular kids who stumble upon a magical tree house in the woods. Jack and Annie are whisked back in time to all different eras and places around the world. Ever new visit to the tree house is a new and adventurous learning experience for Jack , Annie, and any student who reads the wonderful book.
   The illustrations, by Sal Murdocca, on the cover and throughout the books, dipict the adventurous tales beautifully. Students will be captivated by the pictures and their connection to the wonderfully adventurous tales.


Grade Level: 2-4
Contant Area: Language Arts, Social Studies, Science
Student Connection: These books would be great for challenging gifted students and a great way to incorporate other cultural aspects into the classroom and lessons.

Modern Fantasy Book Blog

Tuck Everlasting
Written by Natalie Babbitt
Published by Square Fish; first edition in 1975, Sunburst edition 1985, Film tie-in edition 2002
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Number of pages: 192



   In this fantastically written book, the Tuck family is presented with a new way of life after drinking from a magical spring. They must live life inconspicuously as they can because of their newfound immortality. One day, Winnie Foster stumbles upon their secret, everlasting lives and is dragged into their world of life without death. Throughout this exciting adventure, problems arise and obstacles are met. Will Winnie choose to join their immortal way of life in the end?

"A fearsome and beautifully written book that can't be put down or forgotten."

- Jean Stafford, The New Yorker

"Flawless in both style and structure."

-The Horn Book

Grade Level: 3-5

Content Area: English Language Arts 

Student Connection: This would be a wonderful book for gifted students to be able to have discussion groups about the plot, characters, and moral standings of the book. You could discuss with your students the choices Winnie makes and ask what choice they would have made and why. 

Diverse Perspective Book Blog #2

The Name Jar
Written and illustrated by Yangsook Choi
Published by Dragonfly Books; Reprint edition on October 14th, 2003
Genre: Diverse Perspective Fiction, Children's Literature
Number of Pages: 40



Overview 
   Being in a new school is hard enough, but imagine also being in a new town and new country. Unhei is the new kid in school who just moved from North Korea with her family. As every kid would be, she is worried and anxious about making friends and the other kids not being able to pronounce her traditional Korean name.  During the first day of school, instead of introducing herself, she decides to pick a new name. Deciding on a new name is a whole new adventure!

   This is a wonderful book to introduce diversity, multiculturism, and acceptence of differences. Students can become aware of idividuality and self acceptance while also learning about friendship. This would be a great way to integrate different cultures into your classroom! Xangsook Choi (author and illustrator) created beautifully simplistic illustrations that enhances the readers experience. Students will adore this book!

“Unhei's reflection and inner strength are noteworthy; cultural details freshen the story." 

- The New York Times

“Beautifully written and illustrated.” - Philadelphia Times

“Interweaving several issues into this touching account and delicately addressing the challenges of assimilation.” 

- Kirkus Reviews

Lesson and Activtiy 

Content Area: Self-Acceptance, Confidence, Kindness, Multiculturalism

Standard: 3 ) Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges. [RL.2.3]

6 ) Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters, including by speaking in a different voice for each character when reading dialogue aloud. [RL.2.6]

15 ) Identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer, explain, or describe. [RI.2.6]

Model: Read the entire book out loud to students twice with no interruptions.

Guide and Scaffold: After reading the book out loud to the students the first time, ask them about what questions they may still have. Tell them to think about those questions while reading the book to them the second time.

Discussion: Discuss the importance of acceptance, differences, and diversity. Ask students to identify the characters motivation to change her name and why she ended up deciding against it.

Activity: Discuss the importance of names, cultural diversity, tolerance, and self acceptance. Read other books on the subjects, such as, Crysanthemum by Kevin Henkes, My Name is Sangoel by Karen Lynn, and The First Thing My Mama Told Me by Susan Marie Swanson. Set out a variety of book with baby names and meanings. Do "What's Behind Your Name" activity shown below.

Reading level: Grades 1-4
Interest level: Grades K-3

Sources: 

https://www.dogobooks.com/the-name-jar/book-review/037580613X

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/blog-posts/alycia-zimmerman/what-s-name-back-school-literacy-unit/

https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=11998&a=1

 

Diverse Perspective Book Blog

Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match

Written by Monica Brown
Illustrated by Sara Palacios
Published by Lee & Low Books Inc. in 2011
Genre: Diverse Perspective Fiction, Children's Literature
Number of Pages: 32

Overview

   Marisol McDonald stands out among her peers because she is "mix-matched". She has firetruck red hair, nut-brown skin, and enjoys wearing polka dots and stripes. Others around her try to tame Marisol's mix-matched choices, however, this Peruvian-Scottish-American girl cannot be tamed.

   This book is a wonderful celebration of multiculturalism and individuality. Through the vibrant and fun illustrations and descriptive text, the illustrator and author portray Marisol's personality and heritage in a creative and non-conformist way. Sara Palacios, who illustrated this lovely book, was born and raised in Mexico City and shows her knowledge of the culture in her colorful images. Each page is covered with interesting and detailed images that help to depict Marisol's mix-matched life. By integrating this book into your class story time, you will be giving your student the opportunity to learn more about multiculturalism, diversity, and originality.

"I wrote this book because, like more than six million Americans, I’m multiracial. I’m the daughter of a South American mother and a North American father, and my childhood was spent in a close community of cousins, tíos (uncles), and tías (aunts).

Like Marisol McDonald, my cousins and I are mixed—indigenous Peruvian and Spanish mixed with Scottish and Italian and Jewish, not to mention Nicaraguan, Mexican, Chilean and African. One thing most of us do share are freckles. According to one of my tíos, the family freckles came from the time my abuelita (grandma) was stirring a big pan of chocolate on the stove—my tío reached for it and it splattered everywhere, leaving chocolate sprinkles on everyone’s faces and toes!

People sometimes ask us, “What are you?” and sometimes even say that we “don’t match.” But we know better. Our mothers told us that we are Americans, yes, but also citizens of the world. My life (and I’ll bet yours too) is bound up with the history of many peoples, and like Marisol McDonald, I open my arms wide and embrace them all."

                                                                                          - Monica Brown

   The quote above is directly from the author's notes on the last page of the book and explains the need for bilingual and diverse children's literature. When reading this books, students with diverse backgrounds will be able to relate and connect to Marisol on a personal level. 



Lesson and Activity

Content Area: Self-Acceptance, Confidence, Kindness, Multiculturalism

Standard: 1 ) Ask and answer questions to demonstrate an understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers. [RL.3.1]
4 ) Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language. [RL.3.4]7 ) Explain how specific aspects of a text's illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting). [RL.3.7]10 ) Ask and answer questions to demonstrate an understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers. [RI.3.1]

Model: Read the entire book out loud to students twice with no interruptions.

Guide and Scaffold: After reading the book out loud to the students the first time, ask them about what questions they may still have. Tell them to think about those questions while reading the book to them the second time. 

Discussion: Ask questions to enhance close reading, comprehension, and develop a deeper understanding of the literature. Encourage students to refer back to the illustrations and passage in the book to support their responses. 

Activity: Point out that there are some Spanish words in the English text and some English words in the Spanish text, this shows that Marisol is comfortable using/mixing both languages. Ask students who are bilingual or are from bilingual/multicultural homes to share examples of the way their own family mixes and combines languages. Students could also learn some of those words from another language to incorporate into their own use. 

Reading level: Grades 2-3
Interest level: Grades K-3

Sources: https://www.leeandlow.com/images/pdfs/marisol_tg.pdf
https://alex.state.al.us/standardAll.php?grade=3&subject=ELA2015&summary=2
https://alex.state.al.us/standardAll.php?grade=3&subject=ELA2015&summary=2

Picture Book Perfection #2

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon
Written by Patty Lovell
Illustrated by David Catrow
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons; 1st edition on August 27, 2001
Genre: Picture Book, Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature
Number of pages: 32



Overview 

   Molly Lou Melon is not an ordinary little girl. She has buck teeth, a bullfrog voice, and a short stature. Other people notice this as well, her grandmother, who encourages her throughout the entire book, and a little boy, who makes fun of her for her differences. Regardless of the teasing, Molly Lou Melon is unwaveringly confident and joyful.

   This is an outstanding book to use in the classroom to help teach students about acceptance, confidence, kindness, and awareness of what teasing and bullying are. The book is a great example of how to handle bullying or teasing situations. Molly Lou Melon continues to stay positive and confident regardless of how others treat her and address the problem in a nonviolent way. This is a wonderful book for children and even adults who worry about what others think of them. It encourages us to do things anyway, regardless of what others think or say.

   David Catrow, the illustrator, paints imaginative illustrations for readers. Using bright and exciting colors. Each picture attracts attention and drives students to want to know more about what happens next.




Lesson and Activity

Content Area: Bullying, Confronting Fears, Self Esteem, Confidence, Kindness

Standards: 9 ) Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding. [RL.K.10]
8 ) With prompting and support, compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in familiar stories. [RL.K.9]
1 ) With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text. [RL.K.1]
17 ) Describe the logical connection between particular sentences and paragraphs in a text (e.g., comparison; cause and effect; first, second, third in a sequence). [RI.3.8]
12 ) With prompting and support, describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text. [RI.K.3]

Model: Read the entire book out loud to students twice with no interruptions.

Guide and Scaffold: After reading the book out loud to the students the first time, ask them about what questions they may still have. Tell them to think about those questions while reading the book to them the second time. 

Discussion: Ask students to discuss cause and effect. Why did Molly Lou's grandma tell her to "Smile big and the world will smile right alongside you?" What do you think that means? Why did the child at her new school think she was good at football? How come Ronald Durkin brought Molly Lou a penny?

Activity: Ask students to visualize. Molly Lou showed Ronald Durkin and the other kids the things that Ronald teased her about are all the things that made her special. Pick three things unique about yourself and visualize how it makes you feel special. Ask students to draw a picture and/or write these things. Hang artwork in the classroom or in the hallway. 

Reading level: Grades K-3

Interest level: Grades 2-4

Sources:
https://alex.state.al.us/standardAll.php?grade=0&subject=ELA2015&summary=2 
https://www.booksource.com/Products/Stand-Tall--Molly-Lou-Melon__0399234160.aspx
https://www.dogobooks.com/stand-tall-molly-lou-melon/book-review/0399234160
http://museumofdisability.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/4.-LESSON-PLAN-Stand-Tall-Molly-Lou-Melon.pdf
http://thepicturebookteachersedition.blogspot.com/2013/09/stand-tall-molly-lou-melon-by-patty.html