Standing in someone else’s shoes allows a person to FEEL that person’s feelings. When someone can stand in someone else’s shoes, they can begin to show empathy. Emily barges into her older sister’s room when Alicia is studying for a test. Alicia explains the meaning of empathy to Emily in a way that Emily understands. Throughout the day, Alicia starts to notice how different people in her life are feeling, and she makes every effort to talk to them and offer her support. My packet reinforces how each person in Emily’s life is feeling, why they are feeling a certain way, and how Emily offers her support in the way of words and actions. As a culmination, students will write about how someone has shown empathy to them, or they have shown empathy to someone else. This is a great beginning of the year book in order to build a strong, supportive community of empathetic peers.

The Infamous Ratso brothers try to be tough, like their father. Every plan the brothers have is nasty. They try to be bullies. Luckily, however, each plan is foiled so that the Ratso brothers look like they are kind, generous, and softies, the OPPOSITE of what they hoped to be. Because of all the foiled events, the brothers change for the best, and so does their father. This book is a phenomenal chapter book, recommended for grades one and two. A new Ratso book is coming our way in September! Students LOVE sequels! My student prepared packet contains visual images, predictions, sequencing, character traits, reactions, recall, critical thinking, and post reading differentiated activities.

This is the third book in the trilogy called March – Book Three. This graphic novel continues the struggle of African-Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. The focus of this novel is the fight for the right for African-American to register and vote in southern states. John Lewis is the chairman of one minority group called the SNCC, but he also joins the minority group Martin Luther King Jr. is affiliated with to pursue equal rights. John Lewis tells the movements’ stories with truth, frustration, grace, and thankfulness. Both the words and the graphic pictures tell and show students every powerful story in this time period of the pursuit of justice to obtain the right for African-Americans to vote. I have added some sites and videos for students to see to help clarify the events explained in the book. I have also integrated writing and speech assignments into this one giant social studies’ period of time.

Peter H. Reynolds was a HAPPY DREAMER who became a creative and beloved children’s writer. Not all grown-ups are happy with the “dreamers.” Peter gives the message that even though some teachers are not happy with “dreamers” in their class, or some parents are not happy with the “messiness” of creativity, with love and caring, that HAPPY DREAMER will grow up to be a creative successful adult.

We’re All Wonders is about the main character, Auggie, in the older version of Wonder, by R.J. Palacio. Palacio gives a powerful message to younger primary students in this book. She lets students FEEL the unhappiness that runs through Auggie’s very being when he is made fun of and stared at by other people. Auggie feels the need to fly to Pluto with his beloved dog, Daisy, so he can play with others as unique as he is. When he looks back at Earth, he has hopes that kindness will prevail and he and everyone will be looked upon for their “wonder.” This student directed guide, including the best of reading comprehension strategies, will help all students to be “kinder” throughout the year.

Birds Make Nests is a gorgeous book that clearly shows detailed pictures of different kinds of birds and the nests they make. In fifth grade, students study birds in Science. I made this packet for an ELL student who has limited to some English language to keep him included in the Bird studies and present a project with other students in the class. Students in grades one and two can also use this book as the season of spring approaches. This packet relies heavily on sentence frames, drawing, labeling, and answering questions using a simple sentence structure.

Wonder is a must read for fifth graders. Students need to learn empathy and inclusiveness. They need to learn to be true to themselves, and not bend to peer pressure in middle school. In my opinion, there is no better book than Wonder to help students think about being upstanders instead of bystanders. Studying Mr. Browne’s precepts helps students evaluate their daily behavior and encourage them to reach high. In this comprehensive packet, students will use their reading comprehension strategies, while critically thinking about events, characters, and their reactions in the story. In addition, students will start to wonder about what the movie will be like, what parts must be included, how characters should act, etc. There are differentiated post-reading activities that will help students synthesize and evaluate their learning, while anticipating what the movie will be like. When the movie does come out, there are critical questions to help students compare the book and the movie.

March Book Two is the continuation of John Lewis’ struggle, along with Martin Luther King Jr., to fight for equal rights. Included in the second of John’s trilogy is his fight as a freedom rider, his fight against police brutality, and his role in convincing Robert and John F. Kennedy that his people needed more help and should write a more comprehensive Civil Rights Bill. Last, but not least in this book, John Lewis was the third speaker at the March on Washington. He is the only one alive today who spoke at that famous event. Students will use their reading strategies and critical thinking to learn about the Civil Rights Movement and challenging American history events in the sixties. In conclusion, students will be expected to rehash the events from March, Books One and Two, to write their own speech as if they were to be speakers at the March on Washington.

This informative text teaches students where the president lives, and what his/her job is. This Guided Reading packet will help pairs of students read and find important presidential information. Students will learn just as much from the visuals/photographs as reading the words. For a culmination activity, students will create a poster with a frame, drawings, captions, and information boxes to synthesize what they have learned.

March Book One tells of the events that shaped Congressman John Lewis’ life and his struggle against injustice in United States history. Book One describes the leaders and events that inspired John Lewis to take action for Civil Rights. This is a graphic historical novel. Graphic novels empower the struggling readers. This particular novel grabs students’ attention because it is true. John Lewis continues to live and is a powerful voice in our present history. It is a must read for Middle School students so that they can find their voices and work towards a peaceful, equitable existence in their own lives. John Lewis will inspire students. In addition, students will use strategic comprehension skills and critical thinking as they read this compelling story. (There are two sequels I will be creating units for to continue John Lewis’ true stories).

This PowerPoint explains, slide by slide, ten jobs the president of the United States has, according to the U.S. Constitution. Vocabulary is explained, and the sentences in each slide are worded so that first and second graders can comprehend difficult material.

Now, more than ever, students need to learn about the various cultures of the world in order to promote a peaceful future, filled with knowledge and understanding. Under the Ramadan Moon helps students understand the month long observance of Ramadan by their fellow classmates. While promoting a global awareness, students will also learn about verbs and repetitive lines in poems, in addition to answering comprehension questions. As a culmination, students will write their own poem to portray the month long Muslim observance of Ramadan by a modern family.

As children, Phil the groundhog and his shadow were inseparable! They loved to play. When Phil became an adult, his life changed, and his shadow started to embarass Phil because his shadow was acting "offkey." When Phil tells his shadow to leave him, shadow uses this chance to travel and do what he wants without Phil. Phil misses his shadow. The shadow misses Phil. Will they reunite? My Guided Reading packet includes reading comprehension strategies, vocabulary building, a Venn Diagram, an Author's Message, and a narrative writing assignment. What a fun way to spend Groundhog Day, or any day!

Full of Beans just received The 2017 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction! The New Dealers came to a dilapidated Key West to help make it a spectacular tourist attraction. Students will learn what The Great Depression was and how children and adults were affected by it. Beans, the main character in this book made choices, either good or bad, to help make money for his mom during this trying time. This study guide will help students comprehend and critically think about the events and choices Beans makes in this story. I have offered a variety of differentiated activities at the end of the packet that will appeal to the interests of a diversity of students.

This book is an exquisite visual experience as students learn about the Muslim culture through colors. Students will use reading comprehension strategies, build vocabulary, and begin to understand the beautiful world that surrounds the Muslim culture.