Today I am thankful to be able to give an awesome update to our
Citizenship Cookie Campaign.
We sent 45 boxes of homemade deliciousness in the shape of cookies and cookie bars to our deployed servicemen and women this week. YUM!
The generosity of our community never ceases to amaze me.
We packed at least ten dozen cookies/bars in each box. Simple math predicts that approximately 5400 tasty treats are on their way to the troops from Texas in time for Thanksgiving. This makes me happy, happy, happy.
Switching gears, today's PPBF is actually a three-in-one series
though they could stand alone as well.
Weird!
Dare!
Tough!
Let's start with Weird!
Title: Weird!
Author: Erin Krankel
Illustrator: Paula Heaphy
Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing
Date: July 27, 2012
Suitable for: grades K-4th
Themes: respect for differences, acceptance, point of view
Brief synopsis: When Luisa changes key things about herself (including her polka-dot boots) to keep from being called weird, nothing else changes. What will it take to fit in?
Opening page: Hi. My name is Luisa and I have a problem. There is a girl in my class named Sam who thinks that everything I do is
WEIRD!
Resources:
Why I like this book: I was intrigued at the point-of-view concept of this trio because it's basically the same scene but told through the eyes and in the voice of three very different girls. It's clear that the author and illustrator worked so well together to bring this story to life. The author has thoughtfully written not only a thorough leaders' guide but also loads of activity suggestions and ideas in the back of each book. Confidence, Kindness, or Courage Club anybody?
Each one of these girls wears a "mask" that hides her real identity.
Find out from your students if there's a difference between who they are and who others think they are. What does it take to be confident in who you are despite what others think? My Kaitlyn used to tell me she had a Camp Kaitlyn and a school Kaitlyn. I loved that she could be who she really was at Camp!
The lessons and the corresponding self-talk messages that these three main characters learn are timeless and oh, so very important!
In Weird!, Luisa learns that there's only one she so she'd best be the best she that she can be.
In Tough!, Sam learns that being a friend is more important that being cool.
And in Dare!, Jayla learns to stand up for herself.
Each book ends with notes from each of the girls that'll help others who are in their shoes manage and deal with similar conflicts.
Two thumbs up for this stellar series!
Want more PPBF new titles today?
Visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog next!
Next week Friday we won't have a PPBF 'cause we'll be doing the Turkey Tango with our families. Weird, I know.
I love that you started your PPBF off with treats for our service men and women! You're not weird, you're awesome!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Juliana. You just filled my bucket.
DeleteI love love love love the weird series!! I used them with my 2nd and 3rd graders this year during our bullying month! It was great!! The kids LOVED them and they really were able to dig deep and understand them. I also LOVE that there are questions in the back, activities, and "perspective taking" piece. I would recommend them for groups or whole class instruction!!
ReplyDeleteYes, Jennifer, these three books are awesome! I've mostly used them in individual sessions but they've got tons of potential in any arena!
DeleteWell, these all look pretty awesome. And great books to have on the shelf and to share. Subjects that every young person deals with, I think. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Rhythm. Thank you for stopping by. We had our therapy dog come to school today and my students LOVED it! They love her and she was SO happy.
DeleteCongratulations on accomplishing so much and doing such good! These books sound terrific, much needed, and well done. I'll check them out. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joanne. I'm so blessed to have a Principal who supports me spending so much time to prepare those boxes and get them headed to those who serve.
DeleteI discovered the Wierd series last year thanks to my awesome media specialist!! They were a huge hit with all the kids. I'm planning to use them again this year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for validating my post, Lynne. Really AmAzInG books!
DeleteI love the Wierd series. I think they are the best books about bullying written and really great for the classroom. The illustrations really make these books outstanding!
ReplyDeleteGreat cookie drive for the troops. How do you pack them s they don't break?
Agreed, Pat. Such a great tool for the discussion about mean vs. bullying behaviors.
DeleteSome of the cookies actually arrived to school with our little ones already in pieces. With those batches, I included a spoon. Cookie crisp cereal? We used lots and lots of bubble wrap and sent them on with prayers and love. Such a satisfying project.
I remember Pat reviewing this wonderful series about bullying. They're a great classroom addition.
ReplyDeleteI missed that, but it doesn't surprise me because Pat and I have very similar taste in books. Thank you, Joanna, for stopping by!
DeleteImpressed by the cookies. Very nice. We'll check out this book. Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stacy, I was, too. Wasn't sure what kind of a response I'd get as my impression is that people don't take the time to bake anymore ... turns out they do! Parents stopped by to thank me for encouraging them to bake together and told me some cute stories about their kitchen time. Everyone wins, even the PO cashier who told me she could smell them as she prepared them to sail. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.
DeleteBarbara...we often see doubles of picture books that have already been reviewed...but a series like this stands repeating! :) Wonderful resource/activities...and I'm thankful you posted about these books...I didn't realize they were suitable for young kids also.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, congratulations and a BIG THANK YOU for your efforts for our servicemen and women...what a super way to build kids' characters!
Thank you, Vivian, and my pleasure. I read Weird! with a first-grade girl who's the one doing to name-calling and she totally connected with it as we set our behavior goals for her together.
DeleteAnd the cookie campaign is probably as much a gift to me as it will be to the servicemen and women who enjoy those tasty treats. I spent the bulk of my week preparing them to ship and reading the heartfelt notes from my little patriots. Such a thrill!
Always god to be reminded of good books!
ReplyDeleteDo you have a mailing address for the troops in Texas? I am interested in sending can goods.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a specific TX troop that we support; each year we ask for addresses from our school family. If you are looking for an address, you can visit www.anysoldier.com and they'll point you in the direction of someone who would LOVE a care package from you!
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