Be Good to Eddie Lee

Element 2: Be Good to Eddie Lee

Author: Virginia Fleming
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper

Buy it here !
http://www.amazon.com/Good-Eddie-Lee-Virginia-Fleming/dp/0698115821
Lesson plans !
http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlresources/units/byrnes-literature/MINIUNIT/DIFFER~1.HTM

Recommended for first or second graders

Summary: Be Good to Eddie Lee is a story written for children four-ten years old. It tells a story of a young boy with Down syndrome who just wants to make a friend. He is drawn to this one particular girl, Christy, who finds him irritating but is constantly reminded by her mother to be good to Eddie Lee. At the end of the story, after being turned down by Christy multiple times, Christy and Eddie Lee form a friendship, making Eddie Lee the happiest little boy ever.
This book is a more sophisticated child's book and has more words than pictures but is a great lesson for children to understand the importance of respect and friendships. Children may not understand why other children may look different or have a different skin color than they do, but through this book they can learn that every child should be treated equally and with respect. This book helps send the message of, treat others how you wish to be treated.

Respect for others: This book gave a small insight about how people may be different but should still be treated equally and with respect. Although Eddie Lee appeared to be different from the other children and a little irritating, does not mean he should be ignored and treated differently. This book may help children, especially at a young age, to realize everyone around them will be different, but should still be treated the same.

Activity: This book can be used to conduct a morning meeting lesson. The students can sit around the rug together, joined by the teacher, and going clockwise, turn to the person to the right of them and give them a compliment. The child receiving the compliment will reply with a "thank you." After the activity is over, hold a group discussion. Ask the students questions like; "How did it make you feel?" "How did you feel when you gave a compliment or received a compliment?" Discuss the importance of respect.




Jenna Feminello