Why do I adore this book?  It is very lighthearted, but has depth.  This is a wonderful book to SPRING off of at the beginning of the year.  What is happiness for you?

This book is a wonderful way to build empathy for students who are new to your class and coming from a different country.  

This rhyming book talks about how we start with a small circle (being the individual) and how our circles grow as we get older and meet more people.

One thing I like about it is the author writes that it can be uncomfortable when we stretch our circle out to people who are different than us.  

​Writing idea: Students draw their circles, but then have some circles (people) outside of themselves that they want to learn about.

This is a touching story about two girls who develop a friendship in a refuge camp and share one pair of flip-flops.  

I absolutely ADORE this book!  It is so perfect for the beginning of the year when we are talking about our "schema" and background knowledge.  

I will read this book and as we think about our own remember balloons, we will brainstorm memories on flat paper balloons.

Then....we will take REAL balloons, press them into paint and on paper and create painted balloons to put our memories on.  Can't wait!

International Dot Day

Please consider supporting the author by purchasing this fabulous book.  Click here for link.

This book could kickstart your own "Sharing Gifts" time in your classroom.  This year I want to really commit to showing my students that everyone has their own gifts and sometimes those gifts are different than what we might think.
​#identity #BOY #antijudging #breakinggenderstereotypes