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4.42 AVERAGE
4.42 AVERAGE
Powerful, but relateable, story about the ripple effect of kindness - and, on the flip side, the same effect that unkindness has. Beautiful (as always) watercolor illustrations by E.B. Lewis.
Maya is a new girl in school, who wears hand-me-down clothes. The students bully her and exclude her from play, even when she invites them to play with her toys she brings from home. The teacher one day creates a lesson, whereby she drops a stone into a bowl of water and has her students watch as ripples move outward. The teacher likens these ripples to the ripples that our actions create in the world. The narrator, Chloe, who has participated in bullying Maya, vows to treat her more kindly. However, the teacher reveals that Maya and her family had to move. Chloe grapples with the realization that she will never have the opportunity to show Maya kindness. Jacqueline Woodson has masterfully crafted a simple and powerful story, and the colorful, realistic illustrations by E.B. Lewis depict children’s expressions with nuance and emotion, which will help many students connect to and make meaning of the text.
Using the book for teaching/learning:
This book would provide a rich foundation for a unit on social change, as it focuses on seemingly small interactions on an everyday basis that can make a lasting difference (for better or worse).
-Recreate Ms. Albert’s activity of kindness: Each student drops a stone in the water as they say a kind act they have recently done. If, like the narrator, they cannot think of a kind thing they have done when it is their turn, they can say a kind thing that they will do. In a follow-up activity, we could in small groups check in to see if they completed the kind act.
-Re-write the story as if Chloe had made the decision to befriend Maya. How would that have affected Chloe’s friendship with the other students who make fun of Maya?
Writing and/or small group discussion prompts:
-How can we reciprocate (elaborate on meaning of word for younger students) kindness that others show us?
-Have you ever failed to return an act of kindness? How did that make you feel?
-Did you ever go along with teasing someone or doing something you did not think was right just because the rest of your friends did?
Considerations for use with dual-language learners (DLLs): I have read this book aloud to a second-grade DLL student. She immediately picked up on the judgement behind the narrator’s descriptions of Maya’s clothes. At one point, Chloe the narrator remarks, “One day, Maya came to school wearing a pretty dress and fancy shoes. But the shoes and the dress looked like they’d belonged to another girl before Maya.” The second grader said, “Not nice! She look so pretty!” The illustrations amplify the meaning of the words. DLLs may need help with specific vocabulary such as “secondhand,” though the students’ chanting and mocking “Never new!” may help with that connection.
Using the book for teaching/learning:
This book would provide a rich foundation for a unit on social change, as it focuses on seemingly small interactions on an everyday basis that can make a lasting difference (for better or worse).
-Recreate Ms. Albert’s activity of kindness: Each student drops a stone in the water as they say a kind act they have recently done. If, like the narrator, they cannot think of a kind thing they have done when it is their turn, they can say a kind thing that they will do. In a follow-up activity, we could in small groups check in to see if they completed the kind act.
-Re-write the story as if Chloe had made the decision to befriend Maya. How would that have affected Chloe’s friendship with the other students who make fun of Maya?
Writing and/or small group discussion prompts:
-How can we reciprocate (elaborate on meaning of word for younger students) kindness that others show us?
-Have you ever failed to return an act of kindness? How did that make you feel?
-Did you ever go along with teasing someone or doing something you did not think was right just because the rest of your friends did?
Considerations for use with dual-language learners (DLLs): I have read this book aloud to a second-grade DLL student. She immediately picked up on the judgement behind the narrator’s descriptions of Maya’s clothes. At one point, Chloe the narrator remarks, “One day, Maya came to school wearing a pretty dress and fancy shoes. But the shoes and the dress looked like they’d belonged to another girl before Maya.” The second grader said, “Not nice! She look so pretty!” The illustrations amplify the meaning of the words. DLLs may need help with specific vocabulary such as “secondhand,” though the students’ chanting and mocking “Never new!” may help with that connection.
Inclusion/exclusion, poverty, transience, and kindness. gorgeous watercolor illustrations.
A teachable book to use with elementary kids about kindness & how to treat others. The ending is not your typically happy ending that children’s books often get. But applies another lesson to, that we don’t always get to apologize to the people we’ve hurt.
Summary: There is a new girl at school that the other girls make fun of and don’t want to play with. At one point Maya does not come to school anymore. The teacher discussed acts of kindness with the class, and one of the girls felt bad for losing the chance to be kind to Maya.
Evaluation: You never know what someone else is going through, and this story really made me feel upset for how Maya was treated. I like how the story turned around to teach the girls that were being mean to Maya that they need to show kindness.
Teaching Idea: This would be a good book to read during the first week of school when going through the classroom management and behavior routines. Students need to be reminded to treat others with kindness and compassion even if those around them are choosing not to.
Evaluation: You never know what someone else is going through, and this story really made me feel upset for how Maya was treated. I like how the story turned around to teach the girls that were being mean to Maya that they need to show kindness.
Teaching Idea: This would be a good book to read during the first week of school when going through the classroom management and behavior routines. Students need to be reminded to treat others with kindness and compassion even if those around them are choosing not to.
A picture book for children that helps show how important even small kindnesses are, and the importance of being kind from the start. I love how this doesn't have a traditional happy ending. A child chooses to be unkind to a classmate by snubbing her offerings of friendship. When she finally learns how our actions have a ripple effect outward from ourselves, it's too late for her to change her attitude toward the classmate, since they have moved away. It's bittersweet and beautiful.
reflective
My husband read this to my daughter's fourth grade class recently, and they were disappointed by the ending. I, however, think that is one reason it is such a great book. Not only does it demonstrate to kids that their actions have consequences, but it also shows them that sometimes you don't get a second chance to make things right when you make the wrong choice. Every time they leave a child out, it hurts.
I had personal experience with changing to a new school in fifth grade and being not only left out but teased cruelly about dumb things like my hair (curly and short -- they called me Squirrel). Thankfully, the teacher was kind and one girl -- one! -- was nice to me. Those two people were the only reason that year was bearable. It's been 38 years since I was in fifth grade and I still remember the sting like it was yesterday. The way kids choose to treat their classmates has far reaching results, and this book will hopefully make some kids think twice about their words and actions.
I had personal experience with changing to a new school in fifth grade and being not only left out but teased cruelly about dumb things like my hair (curly and short -- they called me Squirrel). Thankfully, the teacher was kind and one girl -- one! -- was nice to me. Those two people were the only reason that year was bearable. It's been 38 years since I was in fifth grade and I still remember the sting like it was yesterday. The way kids choose to treat their classmates has far reaching results, and this book will hopefully make some kids think twice about their words and actions.
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What if you could have shown a kindness and didn't? What if you can never make it right? This book made me cry and more importantly made me think. Important message for any age