 The history of summer reading programs is long, reaching back more than 100 years. As far back as the late 1800s, librarians realized that children had less access to reading materials in the summer months and, more concerning to them at the time, the few books they were reading were often of poor quality. Today, nearly every library in the nation offers some sort of summer reading program that encourages a love of reading and incentivizes turning the pages.  Children selecting their books at the East Ham Public Library, 21 April 1934 There’s good reason for this too! In addition to combating what’s known as the Summer Slide (a phenomenon where children often lose skills in reading and math over the summer, sometimes as much as 30%), summer reading programs have been shown to encourage parents to be involved with their children’s reading, advance reading skills, and improve attitudes towards reading. With all of these positive benefits, it may be surprising to learn that summer reading programs have been under scrutiny since the day they were started. Not only do librarians and educators disagree on how such programs should be run, some disagree on whether or not summer reading programs should be run at all. The Early DaysIn their earliest incarnations, summer reading programs were little more than small reading clubs. Librarians selected titles, usually 10 or so, they felt children should read and gave a certificate to each child who read every book on the list. Such clubs were restricted to older children, aged 10-18. Over the next 20 years, book reports and required recitations were added to the list of activities needed to earn a certificate. It wasn’t long before criticism of the summer reading clubs popped up. In the 1920s, some became concerned that the programs promoted rewards more than reading and stifled a love of reading for its own sake. Speaking out for the growing concern, one librarian offered this question in a summer reading editorial: “What does it profit them if they read many books and love none?”. For the Joy of Reading The goal of cultivating a love of reading, in addition to aptitude, began to catch on in the 1930s. While the practice was not widespread, several libraries began to allow children to select their own reading materials. Fun themes and activities such as end of summer picnics were built into programs and, in an effort to lessen competition, rewards began to be given based on personal effort and quality of books reported, rather than quantity. Another change of note is the age of program participants, which expanded to include students as young as 1st grade in some areas. Taking SidesThe1940s were an interesting time for summer reading programs. Not only did their spread widen, so did opinions about how they should be run. In an issue of Library Journal, two librarians offered conflicting opinions. The first stated the many values of summer reading programs, including heading off summer reading loss--one of the first mentions of something like the “Summer Slide”. A second librarian, Pauline Ames, offered a different perspective. Not only did she feel that current summer reading programs were of poor quality and took valuable time away from the librarians’ other responsibilities, she believed they primarily rewarded good readers, who were already reading, and punished slow readers, who were already struggling. As the years went on, a middle ground was struck between these two sides. By the 1950s, libraries began to partner more closely with schools and educators to help leverage summer reading programs to boost reading skills over the summer. More room for choice in book selection also became the norm throughout the country and essay and recitation requirements fell more and more to the wayside. Fun for All The late 70s are well known as a time when old ways were thrown off and the world of summer reading programs was no different. Along with allowing more personal choice and widening participation ages, many libraries began to weave other activities into their summer reading programs in an effort to extend learning and take stories off the pages. Puppet shows, craft hours, and group story times are just a few examples of how librarians worked to draw reading into the everyday lives of their young patrons. What was the response? Participation numbers leaped from 50% to 76%! In an attempt to shift focus to an enjoyment of reading, rather than competition, some libraries moved away from certificates and began entering anyone who participated in the program into weekly drawings. This is a system that continues to be followed in many libraries today. The Digital AgeAs computers and the internet became increasingly accessible, more information than ever before was placed at the fingertips of individuals. However, the question on the minds of educators, librarians, and parents was: “Will children stop reading books?”. As libraries planned for their summer reading programs in the 90s, they decided to embrace, rather than fight, the digital wave sweeping across the nation. The first shift came in the recording process. For the first time, program participants could log their reading hours on library computers, saving librarians countless hours of sorting paperwork and freeing up more time for valuable interaction with patrons.  Teaching with Games trial Bedminster Down School using Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 Libraries were also able to develop websites for their programs, which helped to spread awareness and increase participation. Several websites also included book-related games and links to websites that complemented the program themes. Today, most libraries continue to embrace technology, allowing patrons to read digital books and even audiobooks for credit in the programs. Perhaps one of the most significant changes in summer reading programs over the last 100 years is not their structure, reward system, or even activities. It is their inclusivity. The first recorded summer reading program spanned a small 9 year range. Today, most libraries open their programs to all ages, 0-100+! Parents may read to their non reading children to earn them credits in the program and parents themselves may participate. While some may argue that the focus on improving children’s reading has been lost, others could counter that it has simply been extended. After all, who has fewer opportunities or motivation to read than a busy working parent? The Great Debate Continues?Will the debate as to how to properly run a summer reading program ever end? Not likely. Articles continue to be written each year on the validity of summer reading programs, the pros and cons of reward systems, and whether or not the focus should be the joy of reading or the skill of reading. Though this adds friction to the library world, the positive side is that this friction spurs librarians and educators to continue working together to make reading programs the best they can possibly be. After more than 100 years, through great social, political, and technological change, summer reading programs have endured and continue to encourage individuals of all ages, reading abilities, income levels, and interests to fall in love with book in every state in the nation and we, for one, think that is something to celebrate! *** Does your local library have a summer reading program? Have you noticed it change over the years, or has your location done something particularly unique? Share your stories in the comments! Sources https://ils.unc.edu/MSpapers/2977.pdf http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/05/evaluating-summer-reading-programs-suggested-improvements/
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 Think of your favorite book. Do you know who published it? Probably not, because as a reader, it doesn’t really matter to you. When it comes to books, publishing is probably the aspect most veiled in mystery. Through school visits, meet-and-greets, social media, and even book jackets, readers have the opportunity to peek into the worlds of writing and illustrating. Even a reluctant reader knows a little about how a book is written, but how a manuscript goes from author to reader is much less known, even to writers. This isn’t a problem for the average bibliophile, but when that reader turns writer, a lack of knowledge can lead to bad deals and disappointment. To help you avoid these downfalls, we’ve compiled a list of a few misconceptions new authors often face when they first start out in the publishing world. 1. The Publisher Handles All Marketing You just snagged your first book deal-woohoo! Now you can just sit back, relax, and watch your book soar to the top of the sales chart, right? Wrong! Whether you are published by a small, independent publisher, or you have a deal with one of the Big 5, you are expected to be actively engaged in marketing your book. The smaller the publishing house, the larger your responsibility is likely to be. Why is this the case? While, yes, it is your book that’s selling, it is also YOU. As the creator of the book, you have insight and interest that no one else can--or should try to--replicate. Readers want to know what inspired your character choices, how you came to become a writer, and what you have planned next for their favorite characters. You offer a heart to the story that can’t be mimicked by a marketing professional. Many authors struggle with feeling “gross” or mercenary selling their books, but remember, marketing is just a fancy word for connecting. If you don’t let readers know about your book, they will never get to enjoy it. And isn’t that the whole point? 2. Your Book Will Sell MillionsMany new authors believe that once their book is picked up by a publisher, they will soon be rolling in the royalty checks as their novel flies off the shelf. The reality is that very few books sell millions or make their writer’s wealthy. According to Publisher's Weekly, The average U.S. book sells an average of 3,000 copies over its lifetime.  A publisher can put your book out in the world, but they can’t make people buy it. Even when readers do love your book, it is up against strong and numerous competitors, fighting print, ebook, and audio, not to mention other viers for attention, such as Netflix and Hulu. This can sound negative, but don’t lose heart. The beauty of the modern age is that there is more than one way to make a living off of writing. Consider blogs, guest articles, selling merchandise related to your book, speaking at events and conferences, or conducting school visits. These are all ways to connect with and build your audience, exercise your writing and communicating skills, and make a little extra cash along the way. Additionally, each book that you sell becomes one more coin in the bank of your brand and your recognizability. The next book you publish will likely have greater traction because readers have already purchased and loved your first book. 3. Your Next Book Will be Picked UpIn the world of publishing, you have to earn each book. Just because a publisher purchased your last title, does not mean they will publish your next. The truth is, publishing is a business and that business must cater to its target audience. Maybe your last picture book on tigers flew off the shelves, but this year tigers are out and your follow-up isn’t projected to do well. The publisher can’t risk a loss, and so they decide to pass. It’s all about finding a fit and a partnership that works well for everyone. You haven’t changed, but the book being sold--the product--has. New product equals new audience equals new consideration by the publisher. 4. If Your Book is Selected by a Publisher, No Changes Need Made Yes, we know you have written draft after draft, edited, rewritten, and tweaked until your manuscript is perfect, but that by no means signifies it is done being changed. Once a company picks up a book, the hands that touch it go up exponentially. Editors will suggest character changes, plot shifts, not to mention title changes-yes, the author doesn’t always get to title the book! Your book might be your baby, but it is also a product, and that product must be perfectly packaged to sell. 5. It is a Quick ProcessSee above. There are a lot of people your book must pass through before it hits shelves. Once the manuscript has been finalized, the illustrator must be chosen, illustrations agreed upon, fonts selected, and a cover made. And that’s just the production of the book itself. Then there is a marketing plan to be set, publicity shots, tour schedules, pre-release reviews to be gathered, and more. In reality, most books take around 2 years to reach bookstores. 6. You Get to Choose Your Illustrator
7. If You’re Good, You’ll be Discovered“If you write it, they will come” Sadly, this does not apply in the publishing world. While there are one or two stories of authors getting discovered online or a publisher happening to pick up a book by an unknown, love it, and get it to the top of the best seller’s list, these stories are one in a trillion. Publishing is a business and publishers want to make sure their money is invested wisely. They don’t just want to make sure your book is good, they want to know that you are nice to work with, willing to put in marketing effort, and able to build positive relationships with stakeholders and readers. The more a publisher trusts you, or the person pitching your book, such as an agent, the better your chances are for being picked up. If you want a publisher to notice your book, you have to get in front of them. This can mean pursuing an agent who can help connect you to a publishing house, mailing in queries, or establishing yourself in the industry by attending conferences and participating in conversations. Do you have to have connections to get published? No. But it helps. A miner is much more likely to discover a gem sitting in front of them than buried in the dirt! *** The world of publishing is one that most readers know little about, yet it is a vital cog in the wheel that brings to life what we all love--books! In today’s easy-access universe, anyone can write a book and send it out to the world. As a result, some view the publishing industry as a money-hungry vestige of days gone by; however, this couldn’t be further from the truth. While getting your book out through a publisher might mean longer timelines and the relinquishing of some control, it also means a lot of smart people doing their best to make your book the best it can be. Going through a publishing house, whether traditional or independent, isn’t for everyone and, like all paths, it has its pros and cons. The important thing is to walk in with your eyes wide open so you can make the best decision possible for your book and get it into the hands of those that will cherish it.
 Readers’ Theater is a learning strategy that gained popularity in the classroom during the 1990s (though dramatizing stories has been around since long before then!). This strategy helps bring books to life while also developing reading fluency, public speaking skills, confidence, teamwork, and more. Cara Bafile writes in a Reading Rockets article on the topic, “Its goal is to enhance students’ reading skills and confidence by having them practice reading with a purpose. Readers’ Theater gives students a real reason to read aloud.”  Because it is read out loud, Readers’ Theater can help students cultivate a whole host of skills that will benefit them both in and out of the classroom. Performing a script connects the way a word is read on the page to the way it is pronounced--a skill that even some adults struggle with! As they perform the play, students practice reading with expression, attaching meaning to words and phrases, and they learn how to work with their classmates to bring the story to life. An added benefit is the opportunity for imaginative play. Readers’ Theater scripts are just one interpretation of a story. Once they get the hang of performing written scripts, students can be challenged to try writing their own scripts! Not only does this further build creativity and important literacy skills, it aids educators in assessing students' reading comprehension and discovering what lessons stick out to them as important. From a social-emotional perspective, Readers’ Theater can help students empathize with the characters in the story and pick up on more subtle character traits and emotions.
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| Allow plenty of practice time and assure students they do not need to memorize their scripts. In fact, they shouldn’t as reading is the primary goal of the exercise. In this Reading Rockets article, children's literature consultant, Judy Freeman, recommends performing the script at least twice. "The first time, the children will be struggling with words and their meanings, and with making sense of the play. The second time, they'll be able to focus on enjoying the performance and their parts in it.” |  Photo by: Senior Airman Christopher ToonReleased | VIRIN: 120305-F-GE400-054.JPG |
Some groups find it easier to begin with props, others find that their students put more effort into their performance when the aid of a set and props are not available.
And that's it! Readers' Theater is simple, effective, and easy to adapt for any age.
And that's it! Readers' Theater is simple, effective, and easy to adapt for any age.
For more tips on starting your own Readers’ Theater, visit these resources:
Try It!
To kick off your Readers’ Theater journey, we've created a script adapted from L.A. Kefalos’s picture book, This is A. Blob. Click below to download your free copy.
If you perform this readers’ theater, let us know in the comments. We’d love to see your interpretation!
*While this script is written for 5 students, it can easily be adapted for fewer numbers. The 2 narrators can be condensed to one and additional characters can be either condensed or multiple characters can be read by one student.
For more reading strategies and in-class social-emotional activities, check out these blogs:
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 | A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
 | Before it was on a bus, A. Blob was on the playground. This first installment of The Blob Series follows the antics of A. Blob, as it wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
You’ve written a book--congratulations! However, as any seasoned author will tell you, writing is only the beginning of the journey.
Next comes the vital job of letting people know your book exists--and this can be no small task. In a world where anyone and everyone can publish a book at any time through digital formats, new authors have more noise to cut through now than ever before.
The good news is, the digital world that creates so much noise also makes it easier than ever for authors to share their stories and connect with potential readers. Social media, email lists, blogs, podcasts, newsletters, and more open direct lines of communication that could only be dreamed of less than 2 decades ago.
The good news is, the digital world that creates so much noise also makes it easier than ever for authors to share their stories and connect with potential readers. Social media, email lists, blogs, podcasts, newsletters, and more open direct lines of communication that could only be dreamed of less than 2 decades ago.
When people hear the word “marketing”, they often think “money”, but this doesn’t need to be the case. There are wonderful, high quality resources that can help first-time (or experienced!) authors create beautiful marketing materials for absolutely free.
Today we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite FREE tools that will help you take on marketing with ease.
Canva
Canva is a one stop shop for your design needs. Not only does it offer simple social media optimized templates, free photos, illustrations, and custom-sized templates, users can upload their own photos, artwork, and logos for completely personalized designs. A paid subscription will open additional fonts and features, but is in no way necessary to use the platform successfully.
If you are part of a team, Canva has a feature which allows others to join a project to edit, share, or comment. Since everything is saved online, you’ll never have to worry about leaving your computer at home. All designs can be accessed anywhere an internet connection is available.
Designs can be downloaded as pdfs, jpgs, or pngs. Whether you need to design brochures, promotional bookmarks, blog feature photos, or even book covers, Canva is a tool that can help you get the job done.
Designs can be downloaded as pdfs, jpgs, or pngs. Whether you need to design brochures, promotional bookmarks, blog feature photos, or even book covers, Canva is a tool that can help you get the job done.
Pixlr
While Canva is a fantastic tool, it can’t always do the heavy lifting when it comes to graphic design. Unless you spring for a paid subscription, Canva does not allow background removal and no version allows layering, color changing, or general photo editing.
Professionals use programs such as Photoshop for these tasks, but as a new author with no aspirations in graphic design, paying $100+/year for a professional photo editing program may not be practical. Enter: Pixlr. Pixlr is an online photo editor that offers many Photoshop-like features for free. As with Canva, you can pay a small fee to receive extra features, but it is not necessary to create a beautiful product.
Pixlr X
Before working in the world of marketing, I thought photoshop/photoshop-like products were only for photographers. This could not be further from the truth! While they may have started to improve photographs, these programs are now used to bend text, create new fonts, paint images, merge graphics, and more to create everything from social media banners to commercial-quality advertisements.
2 free programs are currently available on Pixlr. There is Pixlr X and Pixlr E, both of which are free. The key difference is ease of use. Pixlr X was designed specifically with new users in mind. It has fewer tools that are simple to use. Pixlr E is for more advanced users. It offers more features, but has a stronger learning curve. Fear not: Pixlr offers text and video tutorials for both programs, and you won’t find it difficult to track down user-uploaded tutorials, as well.
Pixlr E
With Pixlr, upload your own photos, pull from Pixlr’s collection of stock photos, or design something completely new. The finished product can be downloaded in a variety of formats including jpg, png, and pxd.
Stock Photos
Sometimes you don’t have the time--or the budget-- to take or make all the great photos you need. While they can be overused and abused, a good stock photo used properly can take a piece to the next level without breaking the bank. If you’ve been grabbing your stock photos off of Google images, this section is for you.
| There are a few issues with pulling stock photos from Google images. First, and perhaps, most important, you may be grabbing images under copyright. While Google does have a filter to help prevent this, it isn’t foolproof and sometimes a photo labeled free use really isn’t. Additionally, anyone who has ever used Google’s filter can also attest that the pickings are slim. While we’d all like to believe that Google knows all, often the search engine only shows a limited number of free-to-use photos that are actually available. Pixaby, Pexels, and Unsplash are all excellent alternatives to a Google image search. These websites are treasure troves of free, high quality stock photos. All you do is type what you’re looking for into the search bar and hit ‘enter’. |    |
The name and links of the photographers are usually given if you want to give them credit or reach out to them for paid images or work in the future, but all photos are free to use and edit. All 3 sites are relatively equal in quality, but vary in selection, so if you can’t find what you need on one site, another just might have it.
Social Media Management Tool
When you are managing multiple social media sites and posting multiple times each week, a social media management tool is the superhero you never knew you needed. Instead of spending hours each day posting, you can spend one day putting together a week’s worth of posts that will go up automatically throughout the week. Not only does this free you up to work on other things, it helps to ensure you never forget to post. This is especially helpful on important occasions such as book launches and publicity dates.
Many of these schedulers also allow you to see and respond to comments, likes, and other notifications from the platform. Rather than bouncing from site to site, everything can be easily accessed from one location.
One scheduling website we love is Hootsuite. Hootsuite’s free option allows you to manage 3 social profiles and schedule 30 messages per month. Upgraded plans have additional features such as unlimited scheduling, additional users, analytics, multiple users, exportable reports, and more. While these tools are helpful, they are not needed for the person just starting out.
Another benefit to Hootsuite is that it plays well with multiple social platforms, including:
- Facebook groups
- Facebook pages
- LinkedIn profiles
- LinkedIn pages (Basic Reports on Enterprise & Pro plan only)
- YouTube
- Pinterest (publishing only)
It will also work with a few lesser known 3rd party apps.
A final small, but welcome, benefit is the ability to shorten urls within the publishing tool. This adds a nice, clean look to your posts. A downside to be aware of: Facebook does not allow you to tag people through the Hootsuite publisher. If you want to create a tagged post, you will have to do so through Facebook’s scheduling tool.
Other tools with free options: ContentCal, Buffer, SocialOopmph, Zoho
This blog does a great job comparing some of the most popular tools.
***
We hope you find these tools helpful! If we missed one of your favorites, please feel free to share it in the comments! Embarking on your first marketing journey can be daunting, but rest assured that, with a little help and the right tools, you can take the next step in your writing journey and connect with readers eager to hear your story.
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and all opinions are our own. We were not paid or reimbursed in any way for writing about these companies. These are simply organizations and tools we found helpful over the years.
Did you like this post? Then you're going to love these!
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  | A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! Before it was on a bus, A. Blob was on the playground. This first installment of The Blob Series follows the antics of A. Blob, as it wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
Monday kicked off the National celebrations of Random Acts of Kindness Week and Engineers Week. All week long, people around the world are leaving kind notes for one another, paying for the person behind them in line, practicing their coding, and building Rube Goldberg devices in celebration.
With one of our own authors, L.A. Kefalos, being both a full time engineer and writer of 2 picture books that deal with kindness, we thought we would join in on the fun and bring you a new picture book extension craft that builds kindness while sparking interest in the S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) fields.
The inspiration for this activity comes from the blog, Engineering Emily, which is run by Emily, an engineer/stay-at-home-mom/blogger. Her site is chock-full of fun S.T.E.A.M. activities for children, life insights, and interviews with inspiring women engineers (including L.A. Kefalos!). Head over to her blog to view her original craft, which she used to celebrate Valentine’s Day!
Our twist on Emily’s activity extends the lessons found in L.A. Kefalos’s picture books. As they mix ingredients and observe the chemical reactions, children will learn that there is often more to someone than meets the eye and, with kindness and empathy, we can melt away a hard exterior to reveal (and help!) the true person underneath.
Read the instructions below to make your own Melting A. Blob craft!
What You’ll Need
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To Create A. Blob
- Mix the water, baking soda, and food coloring together to form a soft dough. If your dough begins to crumble, simply add more water.
- Make a small “pancake” with about 1.5Tbs of dough.
- Write your message on a small strip of paper and roll into a small scroll (see lesson below for message ideas).
- Place the message onto the pancake of dough and mold the dough around your message.
- Add more dough and mold into the shape of A. Blob.
- Place your blobs on the cookie sheet and let sit until dry.
*Note* These take about 8 hours to fully dry. If you plan to have your students make their own blobs, allow 2 days to complete the activity. If you plan to pre-make the blobs, do so the night before.
Please also note that the food coloring WILL slightly stain your hands when you form the blobs. If this is a problem, we suggest grabbing some plastic gloves and your hands will be stain free!
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The Lesson
Begin by reading This is A. Blob, by L.A. Kefalos. Before starting, ask the students to make predictions about A. Blob. What do they think A. Blob will be like? Why? Ask this same question halfway through the story.
After reading the book, ask the students what they learned about A. Blob. Were their assumptions correct? Explain that we can’t see inside people. We never know exactly what they are going through or experiencing. Go over some of the reasons why people bully others, such as wanting to feel powerful, fear of rejection, or that they have been bullied themselves. While these issues don’t make it ok to bully others, understanding them can help us find positive solutions to the bullying. For example, if A. Blob hurts others because it is afraid it will be rejected for looking different, being mean and hurtful in return will only make the situation worse.
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After this talk, pull out A. Blob on a Bus, by L.A. Kefalos and have students make new predictions. How do they think A. Blob will behave on a bus? Will its loneliness cause it to change its behaviors? As you read, pause occasionally to define the terms “bystander”, “target”, and “upstander” in the story. After reading, ask students what it means to look through the eyes of another and define the term “empathy”.
Refer back to the first book when we were able to see what A. Blob was like in public and in private. How does it help to learn why someone behaves the way they do? What benefits come from viewing life through someone else's eyes? What happens in the story when the children choose to do this? Point out that it wasn’t until the other students stood up to A. Blob and ALSO exhibited empathy and kindness that A. Blob’s slimy exterior began to “melt”.
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Ask the students to describe how they feel when someone is mean to them. Do they get tense? Maybe shaky? Thoughts begin to run around and it’s hard to focus? Next, ask the students to remember something kind someone said or did for them. Choose one or two students to share their stories.
How did those kind words or actions make your students feel? Often, the answer is easy to see as a smile blooms across the students’ faces as they recall the memory. Just like A. Blob “melts” in the story after the students try to look through A. Blob’s eyes, we tend to soften and relax when someone is kind to us. That is the power of kindness!
Challenge students to search for what is underneath the exterior of their classmates. Encourage them to be friendly and kind and get to know one another. Soon, the kindness will melt hard exteriors and bring out the best in everyone!
The Activity
Explain to students that they will be doing an activity to help them better understand the lessons they just discussed.
Bring out your bowls of vinegar (placed on your tray) and your baking soda blobs. Explain that the blobs of baking soda represent A. Blob. The exterior is hard to represent A.Blob’s hard attitudes and mean behavior. The vinegar represents empathy and kindness.
Choose one student to place A. Blob in a bowl of kindness (vinegar). After the students stop giggling with delight at the chemical reaction, ask them to see what was buried inside the blob.
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There are many options for what to hide inside A. Blob. In this activity, we decided to hide both personality traits that can be brought out with kindness, such as friendliness or humor, along with some issues that sometimes contribute to a person acting like a bully, such as a difficult home life or abuse. Our goal is help children understand that we never know what someone is dealing with and that kindness can melt away a rough exterior to reveal a friend and to help us understand why someone behaves the way they do.
If there is time, give each student their own A. Blob, plate, and cup of vinegar. After revealing the message inside, have them write a reflection on what the message says and why it is important.
Extensions
An alternative way to utilize this activity is to let the students predict what they think is under the goo at the end of A. Blob on a Bus and hide their predictions inside their own blobs. Have students write a short explanation of their predictions. Let blobs dry overnight. The next day, drop them in vinegar and have a few students share why they wrote their prediction.
Another way to extend the learning is to make bath bombs instead of baking soda/vinegar balls. Hide a kind message or a cute trinket inside and give the bath bombs away as a random act of kindness!
The Science
Finally, here is the science behind the fizzy blobs. The bubbles and fizz are actually the result of a chemical reaction called an acid-base reaction, the baking soda being the base and the vinegar being the acid. When the two ingredients are mixed, hydrogen ions in the vinegar react with the sodium and bicarbonate ions in the baking soda. This forms sodium acetate, which is a salt, along with carbonic acid. This acid quickly decomposes into water and carbon dioxide, a gas. This gas rises to the top of the mixture, causing the fizzy bubbles kids just love!
The chemical reaction that occurs is written as:
(sodium bicarbonate/baking soda) NaHCO3(s) + ( dilute acetic acid/vinegar) CH3COOH(l) -> (Sodium acetate) CH3COONa(aq) + (water) H2O(l) + (carbon dioxide) CO2(g)
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We hope you enjoy this extension craft and that it inspires both kindness and a deeper interest in the S.T.E.A.M. fields. Let us know in the comments how you are celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Week and Engineers Week!
If you enjoyed this craft, check out these other book extension crafts!
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 | A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
 | Before it was on a bus, A. Blob was on the playground. This first installment of The Blob Series follows the antics of A. Blob, as it wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
Christmas is just around the corner and, if you’re like most people, you still have some shopping to do!
While books make WONDERFUL gifts, sometimes finding that special something for a book-obsessed friend or family member can be tricky. What have they read? What do they want to read? What do they absolutely not want to read? The list of questions could fill, well, a book!
While books make WONDERFUL gifts, sometimes finding that special something for a book-obsessed friend or family member can be tricky. What have they read? What do they want to read? What do they absolutely not want to read? The list of questions could fill, well, a book!
There’s no need to get your Christmas lights in tangle, though! We have you and your literary loving friends covered with a gift guide to help you feed into their book obsession--without agonizing over which book to choose! Without further ado, here are 10 gifts to please any book lover in your life.
1. DIY Curated Box
From makeup to dog toys, it seems like there is a curated box service for just about everything these days. There is nothing quite like opening a box of items selected just for you; however, these boxes can come with a hefty price tag.
If you love the idea of a bibliophile’s dream box, but want to save some money for the rest of your Christmas list, why not curate your own box? Below is a list of just a few customizable items that would make any reader’s heart soar. Any of these items would also make an excellent gift all on its own!
If you love the idea of a bibliophile’s dream box, but want to save some money for the rest of your Christmas list, why not curate your own box? Below is a list of just a few customizable items that would make any reader’s heart soar. Any of these items would also make an excellent gift all on its own!
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- Mug: Nothing goes with a book quite as well as a hot beverage! Thankfully, there is no shortage of book-themed mugs! Whether your loved one is into classics like Alice in Wonderland , by Lewis Carroll, or loves all kinds of genres, there is sure to be a mug for them to enjoy as they turn the pages.
 This gentle nod to Lewis Carroll's famous piece can be found on etsy.com |  Find it on etsy.com |
- Bobble: Most curated boxes include a bobble or two, such as a keychain, necklace, earrings, or bookmark. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
 Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling Cuff Links |  The Bell Jar, by Sylvia Plath earrings |
 Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien hair bow |  Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum Coasters |
- Cozy Socks- Make sure your friend is decked head to toe with these bookish socks!
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If you’re in a pinch and want to go with a ready-made box, My Subscription Addiction reviewed 19 different book boxes that do the work for you, so all you have to do is click 'purchase'!
2. Audio Book Subscription
| January is when a lot of people make the move to...get moving! What does the reader on the run need? An audio-book subscription, of course! Now your friend won’t have to choose between reaching their reading goals and reaching their fitness goals. Here are a few more items to round out the perfect gift for the running reader in your life:
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3. Board Games
Mix it up on game night with some literary-themed board games. This list, curated by Bustle, will have you competing all year long.
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4. Recipe Book
Now you can dine like your favorite characters with these recipe books themed after old and new favorites. List by Buzzfeed.
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6. Literary postcards
These fun literary postcards are a great way to help your friend rediscover the lost art of letter writing, or to simply frame up and deck out their home!
7. Creative Storage
All book-lovers have the same universal struggle--where to keep all their books! Help your favorite bookworm feed their obsession with these cute and clever storage solutions:
8. Literary Calendar
In today’s hectic world, it can be difficult to find the time to sit down and enjoy a good book. Thankfully, these literary calendars provide a welcome boost of books each and every day!
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9. Embosser
Is your friend’s book collection their pride and joy? Help them make it their own with a personalized embosser!
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10. Blanket
Wrapped your loved one in their favorite book with a customized blanket.
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11. BOOKS!
Ok, we couldn’t help adding this to the list! Book really are the best gift you can give. They take you on adventures, expand your mind, and become old friends you can take with you wherever you go. So how do you avoid buying something your favorite reader has already read? A great way to get a peek inside their head is to take a peek at their Goodreads profile! On Goodreads, users can create lists of books they have read and enjoyed and books they want to read. It’s almost like a ready-made Christmas list!
Young or old, books are gifts that keep on giving.
Young or old, books are gifts that keep on giving.
One final bonus idea: if your friend isn’t into material items, why not give the gift of giving? Donate books or money to an organization that champions children’s literacy in your friend or family member’s name and change two lives this Christmas!
Here are a few organizations spreading the joy of reading:
Here are a few organizations spreading the joy of reading:
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  | A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! Before it was on a bus, A. Blob was on the playground. This first installment of The Blob Series follows the antics of A. Blob, as it wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
If you look up “the steps of problem solving” on Google, nearly every expert will tell you that the first step is to ‘define the problem’. While this may seem almost insultingly obvious, it's a step that is easily and often skipped.
As an example, let’s say your coworker arrives late every single day. What is the problem? The most basic answer? She’s late, of course! Lateness is the problem. Or is it?
What if, instead, lateness is actually a symptom of the true problem?
As an example, let’s say your coworker arrives late every single day. What is the problem? The most basic answer? She’s late, of course! Lateness is the problem. Or is it?
What if, instead, lateness is actually a symptom of the true problem?
When rephrased this way, the issue--and the resulting solution--becomes far more complex. If the true problem is traffic, solutions could include going to bed earlier to make it easier to wake up earlier and beat traffic, or finding an alternate route to work. If, however, the true problem is that your coworker is dealing with a negative family situation that keeps her up late, disrupts the sleep, and delays her each morning, finding a backroads route to work will do little to solve her problem.
Defining the problem--the true problem--is the first step to good problem solving. This is just one of several reasons that schools, parents, students, and educators struggle with defeating bullying. Like the situation with your coworker, the question 'what is bullying?' is deceptively complex. Conflicts and teasing get mislabeled as bullying and true bullying is too often mislabeled as teasing or a conflict. Until the problem of bullying is well defined, students will continue to struggle to enact solutions.
To help you and your students tackle step 1 of solving the problem of bullying, we’ve put together this fun cut-and-sort printable activity. Keep scrolling to grab your free, downloadable copy.
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Below is the definition of what bullying is, along with the definitions of 3 situations that are often mislabeled as bullying.
After discussing these 4 situations with your students, work together to decide if the scenarios described on the 'Is it Bullying?' worksheet are bullying, mean, teasing, or conflict, or use the worksheet as independent practice to assess student understanding. This worksheet can also easily be pasted into a notebook for easy reference.
Get Your Free Template!
If you’re looking for picture books to help introduce the concept of bullying, check out the titles below:
 | A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
 | Before it was on a bus, A. Blob was on the playground. This first installment of The Blob Series follows the antics of A. Blob, as it wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
November 1st marked the beginning of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). The goal: to write 50,000 words of a novel during the thirty days of November. While this may sound like a daunting task, the organization that founded the challenge all the way back in 1999 doesn’t expect--or even want--you to do it alone. A cornerstone of their philosophy is the power of community. Now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, they offer tools, goals, networking, mentoring, and more to encourage writers of all stages to, well, write!
If you’re one of the brave souls who has decided to take on this challenge (or anyone working on a piece of writing), then you are probably well acquainted with the dreaded “Blank Page Syndrome”. October may have prepared you to be scared of ghosts and ghouls, but no one told you that the most frightening thing you would have to deal with would be a black cursor flashing judgingly on a blank word document.
‘I think writer’s block is when you say to yourself, “I could write something, but it wouldn’t be good enough.” There’s no such thing as a complete inability to write a sentence.’
-Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert
-Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert
Writer’s block is something every writer has faced. Not even the greats can outrun that looming phantom. The good news? There are plenty of tips available to help you to conquer your fear and get down to writing. Today, we will share 10 ways to face the blank page with confidence.
1. Try Drawing
Sure, not everyone is an artist, but just about anyone can pull out a stick figure or two. If you are struggling to put your scene into words, try drawing it out instead. It can be quick sketches or even simple swaths of color defining the moods and emotions you want to convey. A book is made of words, but words are not what you see when you read. Instead you see sinister characters inching closer to the protagonist, fields bathed in morning light, and flowers sparkling with the evening dew. If you aren’t sure how to build your world with words just yet, create it visually first.
Sure, not everyone is an artist, but just about anyone can pull out a stick figure or two. If you are struggling to put your scene into words, try drawing it out instead. It can be quick sketches or even simple swaths of color defining the moods and emotions you want to convey. A book is made of words, but words are not what you see when you read. Instead you see sinister characters inching closer to the protagonist, fields bathed in morning light, and flowers sparkling with the evening dew. If you aren’t sure how to build your world with words just yet, create it visually first.
2. Use Comic Sans
This next tip certainly falls into the “strange but true” category. Despite its seeming absurdity, countless writers swear by the technique of switching their font over to comic sans. There is no exact scientific explanation for this phenomenon, though multiple theories have been offered up. One blogger suggests that the font’s purposefully distinct letters make reading and re-reading smoother and more entertaining. She also shares that the letter shapes help to melt words together so that she is able to view her lines as one cohesive whole rather than individual sentences that need picked apart.
Another writer chalks the productivity increase up to the disarming quality of the childlike font. How can you be judgemental of something that looks like it was written by a 2nd grader?
Whether there is a science to it or the placebo effect, there are enough positive testimonials to warrant a try!
3. Start with something easy
They say the best way to get over writer’s block is to just write--easier said than done. If you’re feeling lost or intimidated by where to begin, write something you know you can write with ease. Put a twist on an old fairy tale or rewrite a scene from your favorite sitcom from the perspective of one of the characters. Get your creative juices flowing and show your inner critic that you CAN write and you’ll likely find yourself revving to begin your new piece.
They say the best way to get over writer’s block is to just write--easier said than done. If you’re feeling lost or intimidated by where to begin, write something you know you can write with ease. Put a twist on an old fairy tale or rewrite a scene from your favorite sitcom from the perspective of one of the characters. Get your creative juices flowing and show your inner critic that you CAN write and you’ll likely find yourself revving to begin your new piece.
4. Stop when you are going good
This next tip applies more to general writer’s block than to beginning a piece of writing, but it was such great advice, we knew it had to make the list. It comes from one of America’s greatest writers, Ernest Hemingway.
In a 1935 article in Esquire ( "Monologue to the Maestro: A High Seas Letter") Hemingway offered this advice to a young writer:
"The best way is always to stop when you are going good and when you know what will happen next. If you do that every day when you are writing a novel you will never be stuck. That is the most valuable thing I can tell you so try to remember it."
Most of the time, getting started is the most difficult part of writing. By stopping while you are still in the middle of something you are excited about, you will always begin your next writing session with enthusiasm.
This next tip applies more to general writer’s block than to beginning a piece of writing, but it was such great advice, we knew it had to make the list. It comes from one of America’s greatest writers, Ernest Hemingway.
In a 1935 article in Esquire ( "Monologue to the Maestro: A High Seas Letter") Hemingway offered this advice to a young writer:
"The best way is always to stop when you are going good and when you know what will happen next. If you do that every day when you are writing a novel you will never be stuck. That is the most valuable thing I can tell you so try to remember it."
Most of the time, getting started is the most difficult part of writing. By stopping while you are still in the middle of something you are excited about, you will always begin your next writing session with enthusiasm.
5. Interview Your Characters
They say to write what you know, but it is unlikely that Tolkein knew too many Hobbits and Elves personally (though we could be wrong). So how do you get to know people and worlds that don’t exist? The same way you get to know people in real life--talk to them. If you aren’t sure how to begin your story, try writing an interview with your characters instead. Ask them about their likes and dislikes. Ask them about their childhood and goals for the future. What do they think about another character?
They say to write what you know, but it is unlikely that Tolkein knew too many Hobbits and Elves personally (though we could be wrong). So how do you get to know people and worlds that don’t exist? The same way you get to know people in real life--talk to them. If you aren’t sure how to begin your story, try writing an interview with your characters instead. Ask them about their likes and dislikes. Ask them about their childhood and goals for the future. What do they think about another character?
The better you understand your characters, the easier it will be to know how they will react to the conflicts you place in front of them, or to create conflicts you would like them see react to.
6. Outline It
This is an oldie-but-goodie. Looking at a blank page can be intimidating for two reasons: (1) you have no idea where you’re going, or (2) you have too many ideas and don’t know where to begin. Creating an outline give you anchors to work towards and provides direction as you write.
Some writers don’t like outlines, fearing that they stifle creativity, but the reality is this is only as true as you make it. Who says once something is in the outline it’s there forever? There is nothing wrong with changing plot points as you go. An outline simply offers a suggestion so that you don’t have to start from zero.
This is an oldie-but-goodie. Looking at a blank page can be intimidating for two reasons: (1) you have no idea where you’re going, or (2) you have too many ideas and don’t know where to begin. Creating an outline give you anchors to work towards and provides direction as you write.
Some writers don’t like outlines, fearing that they stifle creativity, but the reality is this is only as true as you make it. Who says once something is in the outline it’s there forever? There is nothing wrong with changing plot points as you go. An outline simply offers a suggestion so that you don’t have to start from zero.
Everyone outlines differently, so try a few methods and see what works for you. Maybe you begin by deciding the 6 major plot points, taking you from the beginning of the story all the way to the end. Or, maybe you prefer to map out your main character’s arc and fill in the action to support that change. There is no right or wrong way. The most important thing is to get something down on the paper. If you hate it, at least you know what not to write!
7. Write Nonsense
Our next tip was sourced from lifehack.org. One primary cause of blank page syndrome is the dreaded inner critic. Each time you make a running start at a sentence, that critic yanks you back, telling you that you’re no good. A simple way to push past this is to write something meaningless. “The cat walked up the tree and sent down an apple. The girl plucked it out of the basket and jumped for joy.” Meaningless. But, words on a page. Sometimes, you just need to get your body into the writing groove.
After 5 minutes or so, write down one line that relates to your piece. Throw in another and another. Once you put start putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys), you'll find it much easier to get down to your real piece.
Our next tip was sourced from lifehack.org. One primary cause of blank page syndrome is the dreaded inner critic. Each time you make a running start at a sentence, that critic yanks you back, telling you that you’re no good. A simple way to push past this is to write something meaningless. “The cat walked up the tree and sent down an apple. The girl plucked it out of the basket and jumped for joy.” Meaningless. But, words on a page. Sometimes, you just need to get your body into the writing groove.
After 5 minutes or so, write down one line that relates to your piece. Throw in another and another. Once you put start putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys), you'll find it much easier to get down to your real piece.
8. Re-Read a Piece You’re Proud Of
It’s easy to think of yourself as a talentless hack when you’re staring at a blank word document. The next time you feel unworthy to be sitting in front of a keyboard, take a moment to read something you’ve written that you are proud of. Not only will this help put you in a writing mindset, it will remind you that you have written well in the past and can do it again.
It’s easy to think of yourself as a talentless hack when you’re staring at a blank word document. The next time you feel unworthy to be sitting in front of a keyboard, take a moment to read something you’ve written that you are proud of. Not only will this help put you in a writing mindset, it will remind you that you have written well in the past and can do it again.
9. Write in White
This is a fun trick from Ink Copywriters. Tired of hearing your inner critic? Don’t give her anything to critique! By writing in white, you give yourself license to not only write without overthinking wording, but you avoid stopping to correct every spelling and grammatical error the spell-check points out to you.
10. Don’t Be Afraid to Skip
While Maria Von Trapp said that the beginning is a very good place to start, this isn’t always the best path to take. If you are having trouble setting up the beginning of your story, don’t be afraid to jump to another part that you feel more confident about and begin from there. Writing is writing and you can always go back and fill in the blanks later.
While Maria Von Trapp said that the beginning is a very good place to start, this isn’t always the best path to take. If you are having trouble setting up the beginning of your story, don’t be afraid to jump to another part that you feel more confident about and begin from there. Writing is writing and you can always go back and fill in the blanks later.
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We hope you found these tips helpful--or at least a good distraction from that blank page you’ve been staring at!
If you plan to participate in NaNoWriMo, let us know in the comments below so we can cheer you on!
If you plan to participate in NaNoWriMo, let us know in the comments below so we can cheer you on!
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 | Before it was on a bus, A. Blob was on the playground. This first installment of The Blob Series follows the antics of A. Blob, as it wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
 | A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
Be an Upstander...It’s a phrase we give to students and encourage regularly--and for good reason. Studies show that 57% of the time, bullying stops within 10 seconds of peer intervention. Students standing up for other students has proven more effective than any other kind of intervention.
However, for a young child, standing up to a bully is anything but easy. In the heat of the moment, things like fear, uncertainty, shyness, and self-consciousness can quickly take over and render the bystander motionless.
Every child is different, which means some upstander strategies may work for one student and not the other. Children are not one-size-fits-all, so why should the strategies we teach them be any different?
In today’s post, we will be sharing instructions for how to put together a personalized Upstander Strategy Handbook with your students so that when they are faced with bullying, they know exactly what to do!
Scroll to the to download the FREE TEMPLATE!
Scroll to the to download the FREE TEMPLATE!
Section 1: Definitions
The first section of the upstander handbook is a quick reference guide for students to help them remember the differences between bullying, joking, mean, and rude behavior so that they know when it is necessary to step in or find help.
This section also highlights the 4 roles in a bullying scenario-- the target, the person who bullies, the bystander, and the upstander--and lists some of the effects each of the behaviors can have on an individual.
Section 2: Upstander Strategies
This is the section of the book where students can really personalize the resource to meet their needs. The first page includes a basic list of upstander strategies that students can flip to for a quick reference. In the following pages, students have the opportunity to list their own personal reasons for being reluctant to intervene in a bullying scenario. As a class, choose a few of the most common reasons for being a bystander and talk through some ways to overcome students' fears.
In the third part of this section, students identify places where they have seen bullying occur. There is space to draw the scenario along with space to write a description of what is happening. Students should choose an upstander strategy that they think would be appropriate for the scenario described above. If they have any concerns about what might happen if they intervene, they should list those in the space provided.
The next page leaves space for students to draw a new scenario--one where they are an upstander! What do they predict will happen if they try the upstander strategy? How will things change for the better? If they are concerned something might go wrong, how can they prepare?
Space for 3 scenarios is included in the template provided, but students can create as many pages as they desire.
Now, each of your students has a book filled with upstander strategies made just for him or her! The books are small so that they can easily fit into a folder or backpack and be readily accessible if needed.
Would you try this in your classroom? Let us know in the comments!
Like this craft? Check out some of our other bullying prevention activities!
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 | A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! |
 | Before it was on a bus, A. Blob was on the playground. This first installment of The Blob Series follows the antics of A. Blob, as it wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
Of all the posts on the Laughing Leopard Blog, one of the most popular by far is our series on integrating bullying prevention across the classroom--and with good reason! Between testing, lunch, recess, core subjects, specials such as art, music, and gym, teachers are pushed to- and sometimes, beyond- the limit on time and resources. Adding one more thing to the schedule, no matter how important, just doesn’t seem possible.
As we contemplated what to share this week for National Bullying Prevention Month, more ideas for integrating bullying prevention into the classroom seemed liked a no-brainer!
In today’s post, we will share a few fun bullying-prevention lessons that can easily be integrated into your current curriculum. While they do not cover every age and subject, we hope these lessons will act as a jumping-off point for your own social-emotional tie-ins.
Language Arts
An important part of being a good writer is understanding what makes your characters tick. By understanding their moods, thoughts, opinions, and personalities, you are able to understand how they would realistically react to conflict and other characters, helping you create a believable and relatable experience for your readers.
This fun writing exercise helps children practice character development, challenging them to rewrite a well-known story from the perspective of a different character. In doing so, they gain greater insight into the character while practicing the process of writing and developing a character themselves.
As students write from the perspective of another, they learn that other people sometimes see the world differently than they do. Everyone has unique experiences and hardships that influence what they do and how they do it. When teaching this lesson, introduce the idea of empathy and encourage your students to spend some time after the assignment journaling their thoughts about the ways their classmates’ perspectives and experiences might be different than their own and how this might influence their personal stories.
ScienceHere is a twist on an old classic--the colored carnations experiment. In this experiment, white carnations are placed in vases filled with colored water. Over the course of 1-2 days, the carnations begin to take on the color of the water in which they are sitting. Why? Because flowers take in water through their stems and send it all the way to the leaves and petals, providing nourishment for the entire plant. Since this water is dyed, it can be seen in the petals. |  |
Play around with the experiment by placing some of the flowers in water with nutritious plant food and others in a beverage such as coffee. Record the differences and hypothesise what may be the cause.
As you work this experiment with your students, compare the water and beverages to the way others treat us. The words and actions of others can affect our health, both mental and physical, just like the water and its nutrients determine the health of the plant. When we are fed negative words, they don’t just bounce off. Like the water, they become a part of us and impact the way we see ourselves and the way others see us. Encourage your students to select their words and actions with care and help one another grow with nutritious words of kindness.
History |
History is jam-packed with upstanders, people who saw injustice occurring around them and decided to stand up and do something. History is also, unfortunately, packed with countless bystanders who turned a blind eye or were too afraid to step in, when they witnessed others being harmed. As you teach through these events, take a moment to discuss why people allowed such atrocities to happen, and how others found the courage to take action to stop them.
Relate the events in your history book to real issues the students are dealing with today and talk through ways they can follow in the footsteps of heroes such as Martin Luther King, Miep Gies, or Harriet Tubman. Have students select a history hero and place them in a modern day scenario. How would he or she react and why?
Art
This next project is designed to help students learn more about their peers and come to a better understanding of the meaning of community.
Pair students off and have them interview one another. What do they like to do and why? What are they good at? What is something not many people know about them? Next, students will draw a portrait of their partner that reflects what they have learned. In the background they should include colors, items, and experiences described by their partner.
| Transfer the students’ images onto squares of fabric and sew them into a class quilt to be displayed in the classroom. Discuss how, though we are all different, we are all part of the same fabric. If one piece is hurt, the whole piece suffers. Together is how we work best. |  |
For a project with a shorter time window, assign each student a word. Some of the words should be kind, others mean. Students will then paint a visual representation of their assigned word. Once complete, have each student share his or her painting with the class, explaining their artistic choices.
Following the presentations, open a discussion on words. While we cannot see them, we all clearly understand that words carry emotions, influence, and power. As we speak to those around us, we must be careful with how we wield these tools.
Math
On the surface, it may seem that math has little to no connection to bullying prevention; however, the world of numbers and figures can do a lot to teach teamwork and togetherness.
One fun game to play is “Same but Different”. This game gives children practice in going back and forth between fractions and decimals as well as practice in simplifying fractions.
To play, pass out a stack of cards to each student. The cards will have either a fraction or a decimal number on the front. Students must then go around the room and find the people with cards representing the same quantity. This includes students with variations of the same fraction (½ and 2/4 for example).
Here is where the social-emotional learning begins. Once a student finds a number partner, they must find one thing they have in common with that person and write it on the back of their card. By the end of class, your students will have practiced their fractions and decimals and also learned more about their classmates. Talk about how, though we all look different on the outside, there is a lot we have in common, just like the fractions and decimals. We are all people with thoughts, feelings, and experiences. We all have happy memories and sad memories. We all have hopes and fears. More often than not, we can find at least one thing we have in common with those around us. As we interact with one another, remember to treat each other as we would want to be treated.
Let us know if you try any of these activities in your classroom and how they worked for you! If you’re looking for more ways to integrate bullying prevention into your classroom, check out the blogs below.
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  | A. Blob is back, and this time it's on a bus! As the slimy bully pokes and pesters the children of Lincoln Elementary School, it seems like they will never be able to ride the bus in peace. That is, until one brave girl takes stand. Can one act of bravery change everything--including A. Blob? Find out in this second installment of The Blob Series! Before it was on a bus, A. Blob was on the playground. This first installment of The Blob Series follows the antics of A. Blob, as it wreaks havoc on the elementary school playground with its bullying ways. As the story progresses, however, readers learn that A. Blob may have more than meets the eye. Along with its powerful illustrations and rhymed verse for early readers, this story invites children to put themselves in the shoes of another and encourages readers to consider why bullies behave the way they do – and start to consider what can be done to help. |
About Laughing Leopard Press
Hello! We are Laughing Leopard Press, an independent book publisher from Akron, Ohio. At Laughing Leopard Press, we’re interested in publishing works that contribute to our understanding of this wonderful world. Through this blog, we hope to add to that understanding with commentary on life, literature, and a few things in between. We hope you enjoy the blog and take some time to talk with us in the comments or on our social media sites. Happy reading!
For some more great reading, check out our latest release, This is A. Blob by L. A Kefalos. This is A. Blob is a picture book that deals with the sticky issue of bullying through an unlikely character that is a bit sticky itself! As readers follow the antics of A. Blob, they learn to put themselves in the shoes of another and discover there may be more to this bully than meets the eye…
This is A. Blob by L. A Kefalos. $14.95
$1.00 is donated to charity for each book sold on this site--half to St. Jude's and the other half to PetFix Northeast Ohio.
$1.00 is donated to charity for each book sold on this site--half to St. Jude's and the other half to PetFix Northeast Ohio.
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