My Grampy Can't Walk

Author: Vanita Oelschlager
Illustrators: Robin Hegan and Kristin Blackwood


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Lesson Plan Guide!


Summary: "My Grampy Can't Walk" is a children's book written for children who are in kindergarten through third grade. The story is about Grampy who has Multiple Sclerosis and is wheelchair bound due to his disability. Additionally, the story is told through the lens of his grandchildren and shows the great relationship they have together even though he is disabled.

Throughout the story the author highlights the many stunning things Grampy does with his grandchildren. The great love and respect the grandchildren have for their Grampy is also apparent throughout the story as well. This book is very moving because Grampy really embraces his disability.

Respect for others: "My Grampy Can't Walk" is a great book that can be used in the classroom to help foster respect for others. This book provides a better understanding about people with a disability for children. Element two is really represented in this book because the author depicts that if someone has a disability they may be different but they still have dignity, and deserve to be loved and respected. Furthermore, the book shows children that even though having a disability can be difficult you can still have respect for yourself and live a great life.

Activity: This book would be appropriate to use for an activity on "Respect for others". I would first gather with my students on our classroom rug and read the book aloud. Then I would ask my students to explain what the story was about. Next I would allow time for some questions and speak about people with disabilities. After this I would let the students each talk about someone they know with a disability. During this time they would also share with the class one thing they love about that person. Afterword we would talk about the importance of respect for others and ourselves regardless of what disabilities one may or may not have. To conclude this activity each student would draw a picture of the person they spoke about and include what they love about them.

Layla's Head Scarf

Element Two: Respect For Others

Title: "Layla's Head Scarf"
By: Miriam Cohen
Illustrated By: Ronald Himler
Suggested Uses: k-3

Purchase the book or get review : http://www.stylefeeder.com/i/fs7tvmkj/Layla-Apos-S-Head-Scarf-We-Love-First-Grade-By-Miriam-Cohen-Hardcover

Summary: Layla is a new student in the first grade, and she is very shy. Layla wears a head scarf which some of the children mistake for a hat and make comments like, " why don't you take off your hat". Layla feels different from the other children and doesn't want to participate in some of the activities that they do. But, when the teacher asks the children to work on an art project entitled " Our Families", everyone draws a picture of their family and then shares it with the class. Layla draws a picture of her family and all the ladies are wearing head scarfs, the teacher replies that "it's beautiful". All of the children got a chance to show their picture of their family, and the children also got a chance to see what other families may look like.

Element 2: Respect For Others: The book really highlights the idea of respect for others because it depicted children from different cultures, and the teacher gave the children the opportunity to draw a picture of their family that they would share with the class. Each of the children shared what their families looked like and some of the things that made their families unique. The teacher was able to do this in a safe, nurturing environment of the classroom and it promoted tolerance and acceptance for all the children in her classroom.

Activity: I would use this book in my class to introduce the idea of multiculturalism. After reading the book aloud to the class, I would use the same activity as the teacher did in her class and would ask my students to draw me a picture of their family.

Lesson Plan:
http://ofcn.org/cyber.serv/academy/ace/soc/cecsst/cecsst063.html




- Megan Carricarte

How My Family Lives in America

How My Family Lives in America by: Susan Kuklin

This book is about three children who are born in America but have a parent or both parents that were born in another country. Each child talks about their culture and their family in first person. The first child is named Sanu who's father is from Senegal while her mother grew up in Baltimore. Sanu talks about her experience cooking ethnic food with her father. The next child, who's name is Eric. Eric was born in the United States while his father is from Puerto Rico. Eric shares his experiences dancing a cultural dance called the merenge. Also he talks about cooking Spanish dishes with his Spanish speaking family. April or Chin Lan comes from a Taiwanese family. April talks about her experiences in Chinese school on the weekends and how it is different from her regular school.

This book promotes the respect for others element because it shows children who embrace their culture. Also when reading this book to a class it can allow the students to share their family background. It also shows that every student might have a lot in common, they might all come from America but have a different cultural background. I would use this book in my classroom to get the children talking about their culture and how it is different yet the same. This book can show students how to respect each others culture by educating them about the different cultures each student might have. To promote the book even more I might give my students an assignment to learn more about their culture by talking to their parents and then sharing what they learned in class. This book will show that every student might be different and there is nothing wrong with that.

http://www.amazon.com/How-My-Family-Lives-America/dp/0027512398

Number the Stars

Number the Stars

by Lois Lowry

Grade Level: 4-6

Annemarie Johnsen and her best friend Ellen Rosen are just ten years old in 1943. They often reflect about life before the war in their hometown of Copenhagen. Before the food shortages and the Nazi regime of their city. As all the Jew's of Denmark begin to be "relocated" Ellen moves in with Annemarie and her family, pretending to be one of them.

The book is written for children the same age and tells the story of Ellen’s family’s escape from Copenhagen to Sweden to avoid capture by the Germans.

It is both beautifully written and at times difficult to process as it takes the reader through the thoughts and feelings of children their age living through German occupation. Annemarie's story is a vivid portrayal of what it must have been like to encounter such powerful things and not understand why such things were happening.

To acquaint students with the threat to all people (particularly the Jews) resulting from the imposition of Nazi authority and to appreciate the courage exhibited by ordinary people acting out of conscience and the respect that was demanded and the respect that is deserved for those living during this tragic time.

Activity: Have children compare and contrast different life styles, Annemarie's, Ellen's as well as their own.

Excellent resource: Activities & Lesson Plans

To purchase: Amazon.com