Ten years ago, we sent a blank heart home and invited families to tell us what they love about Bales Intermediate, their child's third-fifth campus. As they rolled in, we found the perfect love spot at the entrance of our school and displayed them in conjunction with our 100th-day celebration.
They were as creative as they were fun; I could feel the love as I read them.
I even kept a few, as an example of how they turned out.
Today, it has me thinking: What, exactly, is love?
So I did some research and liked this definition:
For more on that topic, today's PPBF.
Title: A Little SPOT of LOVE
Author/Illustrator: Diane Alber
Publisher: Diane Alber Art LLC
Birth date: October 4, 2019
Suitable for: ages 4-8
Themes: love, kindness, service
Brief synopsis: Written in first person narrative by a little pink Love Spot, this informative text helps explain what love is, how you can grow and express love, and what love can do.
Opening page: Everyone needs to be loved. What grows a love spot?
Resources: Watch a read-aloud {here}.
Buy an enrichment activity from the author {here}.
Why I like this book: This little gem is spot on in its explanation of love;
I love its potential to help our littlest learners understand love.
Use it as a segue to introduce Gary Chapman's Five Love Languages.
After a read-aloud with plenty of pauses to ponder and discuss, find out what and whom your budding readers love, how they like to show love, and how they know that they are loved.
How does it feel to love and be loved?
So many poetry-project possibilities here;
sing Lava together after the read-aloud for inspiration.
or Love You By Heart by Peter H. Reynolds.
Then try a listening exercise to help them sharpen their SOLER skills.
Ask students to practice active listening, really listening, with
a partner as they share a story about someone they love.
Help them ask gently-curious questions and then
wait patiently for the answers without interruption.
Or try this:
Now, it's your turn.
What would YOU do with A Little Spot of Love?
Next, head to Susanna Hill's blog for some other engaging titles.
Happy Valentine's Day, dear reader. 💜
No comments
I really enjoy hearing from my readers; thanks for sharing your reflections with us!