Today I'm excited because I'm hosting my first Lunch 'n Learn with retired teacher and friend April Darling, who'll share ideas to enhance our Morning Meetings.
I'm also delighted to share today's PPBF pick,
the perfect springboard for class circle discussions.
Title: What Does It Mean To Be Kind?
Author: Rana DiOrio
Illustrator: Stéphane Jorisch
Publisher: Little Pickle Press
Date: August 25, 2015
Suitable for: grades preK-3rd
Non-fiction
Themes: kindness, courage, empathy
Brief synopsis: In this fifth book of the author's What Does It Mean? series, children can cultivate ideas about how people of all ages can show and experience kindness.
Opening page: What does it mean to be kind?
Resources:
*Read a Forward Review {here}.
*Check out this comprehensive Cool Mom Picks review.
*Download the Publisher's Discussion Guide {here}.
*Download The Kindness Game at Edutopia {here}.
*Revisit this post about Teaching Kindness at Edutopia.
*Prepare to be wowed by these beautiful Kindness Tree visual displays gathered by my friend Lisa at Ripple Kindness blog.
Why I like this book: Who wouldn't love the focus of this treasure's actionable suggestions for making kindness a verb. And because kindness knows no calendar, this book is positively perfect for any time of year, especially right now as we're about to kick of National Character Counts! Week.
We know that we get more of what we focus on, so putting the spotlight on kindness is spot on. And because of its contagious quality, kindness creates a win-win that can serve as a powerful antidote to apathy, meanness, and bullying. After reading this gem aloud, look up the word kindness using Sign Language. Then research the signs using other words in the book to enrich the text's vocabulary and bring it to life.
My friend Heather made this sign for the threshold to our Hero Headquarters; use it to inspire a Kindness: It's A Sign campaign. Encourage your students to create a sign, a billboard, or a bumper sticker to advertise kindness and post them around the classroom, cafeteria, and hallways.
Check out this book: it's a beautiful reminder of the charge of James M. Barrie: For today, be a little kinder than necessary.
What's your favorite practice for intentionally showing kindness?
I LOVE Little Pickle Press' whole series of What does it Mean to be……? The artwork and book production is high quality and the stories make me want to be my best and I am sure they have the same affect on the kids who hear them.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Joanna. If they grab my heart like they do, I can't imagine the impact they're having on the hearts of the littles who enjoy them over and over again!
DeleteGreat pick as we head into the giving season. The cover looks beautiful too!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie. The artwork truly is divine with lots of fun sprinkled in.
DeleteWe just had the Pope in Philadelphia sharing his message to be kind to others. I didn't get a chance to read all of your resources yet, but look forward to checking them all out!
ReplyDeleteI have to echo the Pope's sentiments ... and add ... Kindness is global warming of the real kind! Thanks for stopping by, Wendy.
DeleteI can't get over how many great ideas after great ideas you have!!! You inspire me to "keep up" with you!!! I would love to know more about Lunch 'N Learn!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan! I appreciate your kind words of support and affirmation. I've emailed you some details about the Lunch 'n Learn.
DeleteYes I would also love to know more about Lunch and Learn. Love some of the sayings here in this review, that kindness knows no calendar and it's contagious and also we gain more if we put the spot or highlight on it.... Very cool. Love this. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhen I get back to the office on Monday, I'll take some pictures of the Anchor Charts April shared and post about our Lunch 'n Learn. Thanks, Diane, for popping in at the corner and leaving a footprint of kindness.
DeleteThis is a new book for me. So happy you shared it!
ReplyDeleteOh, Barb, you're gonna LOVE it!
DeleteYou really have found a gem! What a great series! Perfect for your classroom. And, I love the "Kindness Matters" over the door. What a great reminder for kids every day.
ReplyDeleteSorry I haven't been around, but our kids sent us on a cruise to Hawaii for my husband's upcoming birthday! Just got back before the storm.
So happy you've made it back safely to shore. Thanks much for stopping by and for your kind affirmations, Pat!
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