Jenna Stampone- Element Three- Due: October 16

Grace For President 

Author: Kelly S. DiPucchio
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Grade Level: 1st - 3rd Grade

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Grace For President

Resource: Relative Book To Element Three: 

Players In Pigtails 

 

Summary:

Grace, an elementary school student, was surprised when her teacher shows the class a timeline that shows all the presidents were men. Grace couldn’t believe her eyes. She and her teacher come together and suggest an election at the elementary school. She confidently believes she has what it takes to become president. When the classes combine, Grace gets discouraged by her opponent Thomas Cobb. They both campaign, competing for the top spot, Presidency. They go through all procedures that the President would and leave it up to their peers to vote. While Thomas concentrated on the activities he was already involved in, Grace strives for things that would build a community and that would help the school as a whole. Grace won over her opponent Thomas and becomes a great female leader for Woodrow Wilson Elementary.

Element 3:

Grace For President sends a great message that goes along with element 3. In some cases, sexism, is still prevalent and remains an issue amongst society. Grace is surprised and taken back when she discovers that presidents have only been males. This book connection to element three shows that everyone should have equal opportunity and the sex of the person shouldn’t tell as much as their character should. This book can teach the students that women are not inferior to men and they are capable of attaining a leadership position; and just because they haven’t yet, doesn’t mean they ever will. The moral of the book is that there is always going to be a barrier between men and women for certain things, but the children can be the change they want to see and begin to display action of being just and unbiased.

Follow Up Activity:

A follow up activity that would link Grace For President and element three that I would like the students to do is to put on skits for the class. The groups will be mixed leaving it easier for the students to show both sides. In small groups of four, the students will come up with scenarios where men or women are more likely to be involved or are more popular in a certain sport, job, position, etc. The gender that is being either discriminated against or less favored will explain how it made them feel. This will allow the students to be creative and come up with situations on their own and be able to express the other side, which shows the emotional side of the students, one being empathy. I think this is a great way for students to think critically, learn from the moral of the story, and educating their peers while having fun.