The Earth Book

Author: Todd Parr
Illustrator: Todd Parr
Grade Level: Pre-K to 2nd

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Summary:
The Earth Book is a book that provides children with ideas for taking care of the earth. It motivates children to do little things that could ultimately make a big impact on the well-being of our planet (i.e. using both sides of paper, bringing own bags to the supermarket, riding bicycles, turning off the faucet while brushing teeth, etc.) Accompanied by children-friendly illustrations, easy to read texts, and a touch of childish humor, this book challenges children and shows them that they have power and say in protecting the earth. Come April, it will be a sweet and perfect read for Earth Day!

Element 6: Taking Social Action
The Earth Book represents Element 6: Taking Social Action because not only does it offer children ideas for taking care of the earth, but also it provides the big impacts and consequences of their small actions. Rather than providing children with a list of almost impossible "To Dos", this book inspires children to modify the way that they perform their daily routines. Adults, as well as children, can be challenged to turn off their lights, recycle, and save their leftovers by this book.

Activity: On Earth Day, teachers can read this book aloud with their students and discuss the importance of taking care of our planet. After the discussion, the students can come up with their own lists of practical "To Dos" in the classroom . Teachers can guide their students in creating a poster or book that illustrates and compiles the classroom "To Dos."
*Younger students who have yet to develop the fine motor skills to write/draw may work together as a team to grow a classroom garden or plant seeds outside of their school. As the students water the plants, take care of their garden, and watch their seeds grow, they can understand that their small actions lead to growth and change in their school environment.

10 things I can do to help my world

Author/Illustrator: Melanie Walsh

Grade Level: Pre-K - First


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 Summary:

            10 things I can do to help my world is a book that provides  young children with ten easy tasks they can do to improve the world.  The book is beautifully illustrated with pop up folds and flaps which make it a more engaging read.  For example, things suggested are sorting your waste and turning off the water while brushing your teeth.  All the activities listed are attainable for all children, and will empower them by showing that they can make a difference too, despite their young age.

Element 6 Taking Social Action:

             10 things I can do to help my world is an excellent representation of Element 6 because the easy and attainable tasks show young children how they too can contribute to earth’s improvement.  The simple tasks given are explained, and children will learn how the actions they are taking better the earth.  It is an empowering book for any age group, especially the younger ones.

Activity:

             In the classroom, you can easily complete any of the simple activities the books lists to improve the earth.  First, I would have a read-aloud with the story, and then discuss the activities it suggests.  Then I would ask my students “what can we do in our classroom together to better our earth?”  Say they select “plant seeds, and help them grow”; I would have each child plant a few seeds in a small pot.  Each child would water his or her plant, and monitor the growth.  After the seeds sprout, the children can take them home, and hopefully continue to tend to their plant.  The child will actually see the difference he or she is making by observing their plant grow.  It is an exciting and simple activity for all young children to participate in.

Sportsmanship - Element 6

Author: Lucia Raatma

 

Suggested Age: First Graders

SJE: Element 6: Taking Social Action
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About the Author

Summary
In this book the author talks about sportsmanship, not just on the field but at home and in a classroom setting as well.  Topics like: being a good sport, teamwork, and being a good fan are outlined in the book.  The reader is taught how to encourage and respect others through examples of good sportsmanship and photographs related to each topic.  At the bottom of each page there is a vocabulary word and its definition to help the reader further understand the idea of sportsmanship. The author also briefly discusses Wilma Rudolph, a three time Olympic gold medalist runner, who was the first woman to ever receive the James E. Sullivan Award for Good Sportsmanship. The book explains how sportsmanship can be used in many aspects of everyday life, and it concludes with a hands-on activity of what makes a good sport and a glossary of keywords.

Element 6
The book represents Element 6 because the author gives the reader the tools to be a good sport in every aspect of their life.  The reader will learn the fundamentals of sportsmanship and know that they should be respectful, encouraging of others, and honest.  These values will help build their self confidence and help them be more positive forces in their community.  By reading this book, children will know how to show sportsmanship in their lives, and in doing so can set a positive example for their peers.

Use of the book
The book can be used in the classroom to show the virtue of sportsmanship. During a class discussion, students can give examples of unsportsmanlike behavior they have experienced and describe ways to practice better sportsmanship.  After reading the book, the students will have an understanding of what it means to be a good sport, and the teacher will encourage students to be good sports not just on the field or in the classroom but in everyday life. The teacher can then create a sportsmanship display board, where students will be recognized for good sportsmanship in the classroom and on the playground.

How Can I Deal With...Racism? - Element 6

Title: How Can I Deal With...Racism?

Author: Sally Hewitt

SJE: Element 6: Taking Social Action

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Summary:
This book highlights six different children's stories about racism in their lives. Each child's story deals with racism in a different way such as coming from a new country and beginning school, being left out because of their religion, being told to go back where they came from, being teased because of their name and being bullied because they don't share the same culture as others. Each chapter highlights a student's story about how they were a victim of racism and also incorporates the story of one of their friends, explaining their point of view on how their friend was treated or describing a certain instance in which their friend was being bullied.  It also gives suggestions and steps as to what each child can do to stop the racism toward them such as telling their parents, teacher or principal or explain to their classmates why they do something a certain way or wear certain clothes. The book also includes a chapter explaining what racism is as well as a glossary defining key words such as culture, gang, Muslim, race, racism and religion.

Representation:
This book represents Element 6: Taking Social Action because it not only explains the different types of racism children face but also gives them ways and suggestions to stop the racism or approach those who are doing the bullying. Each story highlights how the children feel when they are being bullied so others can learn from their stories. With the help of the suggestions in this book, the children will have a foundation as to how to stop the racism they face and start to make a change within their classroom and community.

Use of this book:
One of the chapters within this book is about a girl named Dipti whose family comes from India but she was born in America. One of the bullies in her class told her to go back where she came from. They said this racist comment to Dipti and did not bother to find out her background or culture. Dipti told the teacher what happened and took this opportunity to assign a Family Tree assignment. I think that was a great idea because it will inform the class of their classmates cultures and where everyone came from. I would do the same in my class because it is a great learning experience. They will be able to find out where their parents and grandparents came from, and see that Dipti is not the only one whose family comes from a different part of the world.

The Kid's Guide to Service Projects

Author:  Barbara A. Lewis

Interest Level: Ages 10+

Reading Level: 5th grade +

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Summary: Barbara Lewis lays out a multitude of service ideas in her updated 2nd addition of The Kid's Guide to Service Projects.  From topics like crime fighting and politics to homelessness and special needs, Lewis delivers a jam-packed resource complete with contact information and first-to-last steps in almost any social justice project.  Each chapter highlights various angles of attack on issues many children have conviction about.  The "More Ideas" section at the end of each chapter, hones in on some less obvious yet very relevant aspects of the more typical social justice themes.  Every chapter provides phone numbers, addresses and web sites for the many organizations associated with these topics.  In closing, Lewis provides a "Service Project How-To" chapter, detailing how to create a flyer, petition, press release, proclamation, proposal, PSA, resolution and survey!  There are also step-by-step instructions on how to: initiate an ordinance or law, support or oppose a law, lobby, or start a statewide fund or fundraiser.

Element 6:  Any teacher with conviction about taking social action should keep this book in his/her arsenal of resources.  Not only will it help the students to identify issues they feel passionate about but it will also make them more self-sufficient in their research and follow-up.  The simple structure of this book will easily enable them to learn the skills of creating change first-hand.  It is the perfect scaffolding to get a class service project off the ground.  

Activity:  There is no limit to what your class can accomplish with the help of this book!  Try to identify  issues that are meaningful to your specific students.  After reflecting on on how our everyday choices effect others in society, offer this book to your students as a foundation for inspiration.  In no time, they will be inspired to take on issues with passionate civic engagement!  Click here for great ideas on a variety of specific lesson plans!

September 12th: We Knew Everything Would Be All Right

Written and illustrated by first-grade students of H. Byron Masterson Elementary in Kennett, Missouri

Grade Level: K-3

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

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Short Summary: First-grade students from an elementary school in Missouri write and illustrate how they felt after the terrorist attacks on September 11^th and discuss all of the ways they knew their world was safe on September 12^th.  Crayon drawings by the first-graders are very colorful and depict their actions on the day after the attacks. Two photos show the World Trade Center on fire and the planes hitting the towers.  However, the other illustrations include images from September 12^th such as the sun shining again, the birds singing again, their teacher smiling at the door, and their parents tucking them in at night.


Element 6: Taking Social Action: I believe this book is a great representation of Element 6 because although children felt sad and hopeless all over the United States that day, this group of students took action by writing and illustrating a book that conveyed a positive message to other children and parents all over the country.  They wanted other children to understand that despite this horrible tragedy that took place, we do move on and tomorrow is a new day. The students created something that teachers can use in their classrooms and parents can use at home when discussing this topic.

How I would use this book in the classroom: September 11^th is clearly a day in history that provokes strong emotions, and the aftermath of the event is controversial.  Prior to ever discussing the event, I would visit resources that would help me as a teacher to deal with negative feelings that potentially might be raised by my students.  In my opinion, it is imperative that the teacher understands what the children already know about the issue, create a safe environment, and is responsive to all students’ feeling and values.  One way to incorporate this book into my classroom would be during the 9/11 anniversary (especially if the school recognized it with an assembly, moment of silence, etc.) or if I found out it was on the students' minds for another reason.  After reading the book, I would make sure that the children had an opportunity to ask questions and discuss their thoughts.  I also would discuss the different ways people tried to help each other after 9/11 and connect it to the classroom as a place where the students care about one another and help each other.  I would tell my class that after these terrorist attacks, these students took action and did something they thought would help others.

                 S is For Save The Planet: Element Five Raising Awareness

Author: Brad Herzod

Illustration: Linda Holt Ayriss

Grade: 3-6

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SUMMARY

The book provides children with an A to Z guide on the concepts of environmentalism with regards to the preservation of our planet. Each page is beautifully illustrated and introduces a letter of the alphabet with a phrase corresponding to a certain concept that serves to both raise awareness and inspire children to create change when it comes to protecting our planet from harmful things like global warming. Each letter of the alphabet introduces a topic and the author provides children with suggestions on how to combat that particular problem that is facing our planet and environment as a whole. For example, for the letter "R," the book provides children with knowledge of the concept of "reduce, reuse, recycle."

Element Five

This book relates to element five because it raises awareness about various issues related to the environmental struggles we are faced with in maintaining a safe and healthy planet to live on. First, it provides students with information about each of the problems our planet is faced with. However, as element Five also suggests, the book also raises awareness on how they can prevent these problems and help to "save the planet."


Activity

Students can create a giant picture of the Earth, using recycled paper from their home and from the classroom. The "recycled Earth" will then be displayed on a bulletin board outside the classroom titled "Save the Planet.". Each of the students will be assigned a letter A to Z  and choose an issue or word from the book relating to our planet's environmental safety. They will then write about the information they learned on this topic/word and provide their own specific solutions on how to protect our planet from it. The papers will be displayed around the giant recycled Earth on the bulletin board to raise awareness to fellow students passing by.