Small Group Book Talk
Courtesy of bannedbooks.world.edu
The first step in creating a respectful environment for nontraditional families is increasing awareness of these unique families, especially for students from traditional families. One way to begin this process for all of the students and teachers in an elementary school is through small reading groups followed by group book talks. The recommended steps and book suggestions are below.
1. Separate students into multi-age small groups, about 6-10 students per group
· Having a wide variety of ages in the groups will allow for many different perspectives. The older students will be able to provide more complex insights will the younger students will keep the conversation light and positive.
2. Place a teacher with each group.
· The teacher can be a classroom teacher, a PE teacher, principal, counselor or anyone else in the building that is trained to work with children. A child psychologist or family therapist might also be an appropriate group leader.
3. Give the leader of the group the book they will be reading and discussing and a list of question and talking points
· 2 books and their corresponding talking points are below
4. Take a half an hour or so of school time to read and discuss the books in the mixed age groups
5. Have all of the students return to their regular classrooms and get into groups with the other students who read the same book they did.
6. Have the book groups create a short presentation giving a short summary of the book and what they learned.
· These presentations would vary greatly in depth and length depending on the age group. With the very youngest students, it might be best to have a class discussion about the books instead
1. Separate students into multi-age small groups, about 6-10 students per group
· Having a wide variety of ages in the groups will allow for many different perspectives. The older students will be able to provide more complex insights will the younger students will keep the conversation light and positive.
2. Place a teacher with each group.
· The teacher can be a classroom teacher, a PE teacher, principal, counselor or anyone else in the building that is trained to work with children. A child psychologist or family therapist might also be an appropriate group leader.
3. Give the leader of the group the book they will be reading and discussing and a list of question and talking points
· 2 books and their corresponding talking points are below
4. Take a half an hour or so of school time to read and discuss the books in the mixed age groups
5. Have all of the students return to their regular classrooms and get into groups with the other students who read the same book they did.
6. Have the book groups create a short presentation giving a short summary of the book and what they learned.
· These presentations would vary greatly in depth and length depending on the age group. With the very youngest students, it might be best to have a class discussion about the books instead
Books
Courtesy of childswork.com
What Can I Do: A Book for Children of Divorce by Danielle Lowry
In Our Mothers’ House by Patricia Polacco
Talking points
What Can I Do
1. What did Rosie do when her parents told her they were getting a divorce? What did she mean when she said her, “world had fallen apart?”
2. What did Rosie do and say to her friend Bethany? Is it ok to treat people badly when we feel bad? Did this make Rosie feel better?
3. Rosie told her teacher, Mr. Harris, that her parents were getting divorced. Is it ok to tell teachers about our families and our feelings? Why or why not?
4. Mrs. Gonzalez worked at Rosie’s school. What was her job? Why did Rosie like visiting with Mrs. Gonzalez?
5. Rosie said she can tell her friends about how she feels? What should you do if a friend tells you about their feelings?
6. Was it Rosie’s fault that her parents got divorced? Will her parents ever divorce Rosie? Why or Why not?
7. What does Rosie say she can do if she ever gets sad or misses one of her parents? Could you try to do these things when you get sad?
In Our Mothers’ House
1. The narrator of the story is Marmee and Meema’s first baby. Then they added Will and Millie to their family. How do you think these babies came into the families?
2. Do Marmee and Meema do anything with their children that your parents do with you?
3. Why do you think Mrs. Lockner, the neighbor with the 2 boys, is not very friendly to Marmee and Meema? Is it ok to be mean to people who are different than you? Why or why not?
4. Do the children, the narrator, Will, and Millie, seem to be loved and cared for by their mothers? In what ways do their parents show them love?
In Our Mothers’ House by Patricia Polacco
Talking points
What Can I Do
1. What did Rosie do when her parents told her they were getting a divorce? What did she mean when she said her, “world had fallen apart?”
2. What did Rosie do and say to her friend Bethany? Is it ok to treat people badly when we feel bad? Did this make Rosie feel better?
3. Rosie told her teacher, Mr. Harris, that her parents were getting divorced. Is it ok to tell teachers about our families and our feelings? Why or why not?
4. Mrs. Gonzalez worked at Rosie’s school. What was her job? Why did Rosie like visiting with Mrs. Gonzalez?
5. Rosie said she can tell her friends about how she feels? What should you do if a friend tells you about their feelings?
6. Was it Rosie’s fault that her parents got divorced? Will her parents ever divorce Rosie? Why or Why not?
7. What does Rosie say she can do if she ever gets sad or misses one of her parents? Could you try to do these things when you get sad?
In Our Mothers’ House
1. The narrator of the story is Marmee and Meema’s first baby. Then they added Will and Millie to their family. How do you think these babies came into the families?
2. Do Marmee and Meema do anything with their children that your parents do with you?
3. Why do you think Mrs. Lockner, the neighbor with the 2 boys, is not very friendly to Marmee and Meema? Is it ok to be mean to people who are different than you? Why or why not?
4. Do the children, the narrator, Will, and Millie, seem to be loved and cared for by their mothers? In what ways do their parents show them love?