Review: Building Everyday Leadership in All Kids

Building Everyday Leadership in All Kids: An Elementary Curriculum to Promote Attitudes and Actions for Respect and Success
Author: Mariam G MacGregor
Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing
Grades K-6

About It: Can elementary aged kids be leaders? Yes! The fun, interactive sessions in this book help kids learn a leadership attitude that can benefit them in social, emotional, and academic ways.

• 48 ready-to-use sessions teach leadership skills through activities, discussion, observation, reading, writing, and goal setting
• Activities are geared specifically to early elementary and upper elementary kids, with special modifications for students transitioning to middle school
• Applicable in a wide range of settings: classrooms, after=school groups, advisory or family groups, service learning and leadership programs, and community and faith based programs
• Supports academic subjects as well as character education, anti-bullying units, and social/emotional curricula
• Contains short sessions convenient for transition periods and longer sessions for deeper instruction
•  All 34 reproducible handouts in the book are also available as downloadable, customizable PDFs at freespirit.com

**Aligned with curriculum standards including the Common Core State Standards

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This curriculum is such a score for my students and my lessons. Leadership has been on my mind lately and frankly - some of the activities I've been using have really fallen flat or were swiped from the internet in desperation. In fact, I'm trying to remember the last time I did a solid lesson on leadership - hmmm....been awhile. Unacceptable. Can my students even define it? I want to change that for next year. The activities are fun, engaging, and students will be inspired while gaining important leadership skills. Thank goodness I have this new curriculum. Cannot wait to put it to GREAT use. I'm going to start using it on Day 1 with 3-5 graders.

PS. This curriculum is not just for counselors. It's essential for teachers too!

Book Review: Daisy's Big Dig

Author/Illustrator: Angie Morgan
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket: The people in Daisy's street never EVER talk to each other. But when old Mr. Hofmeister needs help in his garden, Daisy comes up with a brilliant plan to bring everyone together - a Digging Party. Will all the neighbors come, and could there be hidden treasure too?

Why It's on My Bookshelf: I'm already thinking about books for the fall. This is a great book to teach kids about community and when we build it how positive the results are for everyone. If you have a community garden at your school - then you are REALLY going to love this sweet story. I notice a lot of teachers creating beautiful community anchor charts with their classes in the beginning of the year - definitely consider adding Daisy's Big Dig to the lesson.

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Books About Being Grumpy

When I think about the word grumpy what comes to mind is negativity. Because if you have ever been around someone in a bad mood you can feel it. Here are two very helpful books to help kids understand what those negative feelings are and can encourage a discussion on how to get rid of them. For those parents who deal with a moody kiddo once in awhile - I think you will REALLY like these new finds. 

Maya Was Grumpy
Written and Illustrated by Courtney Pippin-Mathur
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Poor Maya. She doesn't know why she's grumpy. She's just in a crispy, cranky, grumpy, grouchy mood. Luckily, Gramma isn't ruffled by Maya's glumping and growling. She simply reminds Maya of all the fun things she might miss out on because of her grumpiness - like hunting for hippos, bathing baby elephants, and tickling tarantulas. Will Gramma's silly suggestions coax Maya out of her miserable mood?

Grumpy Goat
Written and Illustrated by Brett Helquist
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Meet one grumpy goat. He's cranky, he's hungry, and he's never had a friend. He is making a terrible mess at Sunny Acres Farm, and the other animals just stay away. He knocks over the pigs' trough, kicks down the garden fence, and eats everything in his path. Until one special flower stops him in his tracks. And once Goat opens his eyes, his heart is soon to follow. See how stopping to smell the flowers really can change everything. 

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Book Review: Stand in My Shoes - Kids Learning About Empathy

Author: Bob Sornson
Illustrator: Shelley Johannes
Interest Level: Grades K and Up

Book Description: When Emily asks her big sister what the word empathy means, Emily has no idea that knowing the answer will change how she looks at people. But does it really matter to others if Emily notices how they're feeling? Stand in My Shoes shows kids how easy it is to develop empathy toward those around them.

Empathy is the ability to notice what other people feel. Empathy leads to the social skills and personal relationships which make our lives rich and beautiful, and it is something we can help our children learn. This book teaches young children the value of noticing how other people feel.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: One way we can help kids get along, be considerate and seek kindness is by teaching them empathy. When teachers and parents ask me for book resources teaching this character trait - Stand in My Shoes is now at the top of my list. This book went above and beyond my expectations. It is concrete, kids related to the story, and it started impacting kids behavior immediately. L O V E. I would love to see a whole series of kids books from author Bob Sornson. He got this one SO right!

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Book Review: How Do You Doodle?

Author/Illustrator: Elise Gravel
Interest Level: Ages 6 and Up
Publisher: Magination Press

A Note From the Publisher: How Do You Doodle? is a drawing book for kids to help them get in touch with and learn to express their emotions. The book is divided up into different fun doodle activities such as “name your feelings,” “what do you feel when,” and “how does it feel when” to help readers start thinking about what they experience when they are feeling an emotion. How do You Doodle? can be used alone, or in association with a therapist or parent to help kids better realize and understand their emotional responses to situations, and to help promote better emotional health.  

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This is the coolest journal for kids to express their feelings. I have been using it in lessons, group, and individual counseling. The kid reaction to it has been really awesome. I'm also suggesting it to parents as a social/emotional outlet for at home. Check out some of the pages:

I'll be ordering lots more of these! Happy doodling!

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Book Review: Missing Mommy - A Book About Bereavement

Author/ Illustrator: Rebecca Cobb
Interest Level: Ages 3 and Up

From the Book Jacket: With warmth, reassurance, and empathy, Missing Mommy addresses the loss of a parent from a child's point of view. This touching story explores the many emotions a  bereaved child may experience, from anger and guilt to sadness and bewilderment. Ultimately, Missing Mommy focuses on the positive - the recognition that the child is not alone but is still part of a living, supportive family. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: As a counselor I am very familiar with the stages of grief. As I read Missing Mommy, I felt like author Rebecca Cobb was taking me through them. This is a book for the child who wants to open up and it's also for the child who needs to be silently validated. The story has a compassionate feeling as it describes heartache, anger, sadness, and finally acceptance surrounding the death of a parent. But I will always remember her. I know how special I was to my mommy and she will always be special to me. Extremely happy to have this as a new resource for children and families.

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New Book on Bullying

Bully
Author/Illustrator: Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up
Available: July 16, 2013

From Publisher's Weekly:
Seeger (Green) uses boldly inked barnyard animals to tell her story about bullying, casting a bull in the title role. The trouble starts when the young bull is rejected by an older one: “Go away!” it shouts. The young bull is shaken, but he’s learned something—how to hurt others. When a rabbit, chicken, and turtle in the barnyard ask him to play, he grumps “No,” then hurls insults at them, names that are no more than the literal truth. “Chicken!” he yells at the chicken, who jumps in the air. “Slowpoke!” he shouts at the turtle. “You stink!” he screams at a skunk. The more he abuses the others, the larger he grows, his angry bluster feeding his self-importance. At last a goat speaks truth to power: “Bully!” the goat cries. “Bully?” the bull repeats to himself. All the inflated air blows out of him, and he tosses and tumbles across a spread like a balloon let loose. Tearfully, he makes peace. Seeger’s pages pop with action, and the lesson couldn’t be clearer.

It is so important to me as a school counselor that students do not become bored and desensitized with my books - because then my message is lost. So when a new book like Bully comes along I get so excited knowing I can continue to deliver bully prevention with STELLAR stories. This is a no brainer for me - Pre-Ordered! Can't wait to get it. Looks like a super creative way to teach kids how bullying starts and love that it ends with peace.

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Guest Post! Book Review: Hero Mom

Author:  Melinda Hardin

Illustrator:  Brian Langdo

Suitable for: Ages 6 and Up

I saw Hero Mom on Amazon and I immediately thought of my friend Barbara Gruener who is an amazing school counselor and blogger extraordinaire over at The Corner on Character.  I would consider Barbara one of the school counselor experts when it comes to connecting, understanding, and caring for military families and children. Click HERE to read some of the amazing things Barbara has done to honor and acknowledge military families. And today she writes a guest post all about this wonderful new book - Hero Mom.

Why It's On Barbara's Bookshelf:  From the author of Hero Dad, and just in time for Mothers' Day, comes a book that focuses on the women in military who are not only soldiers, but also moms. Sometimes these hero moms serve close to home. But often times, these hero moms are sent far, far away. When that happens and these women deploy, it requires that they put their job as a mom on a back burner for a bit so they can serve their country. This book is simply powerful because it shines a light on the different jobs a military mom might get to do in a military job. And yet, they are, first and foremost, heroes in their role as mom. 

Use this book as an avenue for creating an awareness in young citizens about a soldier's sacrifice. These heroes willingly put themselves in harm's way to keep us safe and free. Cultivating respect, admiration, and gratitude for those who serve is a gift we must give our children. That's why last year at this time, we partnered with a local Jewelry Store to send Pamper-Yourself care packages to our deployed soldiers for Mothers' (and Fathers') Day. Our students wrote thank-you notes to these heroes and we sent fun stuff like scented lotions, flavored coffees, and Girl Scout cookies along with the basic-need supplies we'd collected. It felt amazing to support our deployed troops in this caring way. The bonus fun for us happened when we got to watch the soldiers open our boxes from their barracks in Afghanistan on the big screen in our cafeteria as we chatted with them via Skype (just like the mother and child in the book). We found that connecting with them truly was just a click away.

This book would also be the perfect lead-in to a Mothers' Day writing assignment; your mom doesn't have to work in the military to be a Hero Mom! Ask your students what their mom does that makes her a hero. Maybe her super power is her smile. Or it could be that she's a trustworthy carpool driver. Her super power might be caring 'cause she's the first one to make a meal for someone in need. Or maybe it's her positive attitude that makes her your hero. Have students draw a portrait of their very own hero mom and write a book, letter, or essay about their mom's super power. It'd also make a wonderful read-aloud at your Mommy Makeovers or Mothers' Day Tea. Enjoy!

Barbara Gruener is an elementary school counselor at Westwood Elementary. Barbara is a published author whose work has appeared in magazines such as Teaching Tolerance, Teaching K-8, and Daughters. She also has a wonderful blog full of helpful resources called The Corner on Character and writes for the website Character Counts!  

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Book Review: Peace, Baby

Author: Linda Ashman
Illustrator: Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Interest Level: Grades K-2

From the Book Jacket: When you want to push and shout, hoot and holler, punch or pout, breathe in slowly. Let it out....Say: Peace, baby!

Friends grab toys. Siblings don't share. Life's not fair - but we can be! A frustrating day may feel overwhelming, but everyone wins with peace, baby. Acclaimed author Linda Ashman's gentle clever rhymes will inspire readers of all ages to find peace within themselves, peace with one another, and peace with the world. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Lately it's been feeling like there are some kids in my school struggling with conflict. When they are frustrated, upset, or mad I'm noticing instead of choosing a peaceful solution they are really hurting the other child's feelings. Towards the end of the school year students can forget kind ways to solve problems. Now seemed like a perfect time to do some re-teaching about keeping your cool.

This book has really inspired me to spread the word about PEACE! Peace, Baby! It is so PERFECT for my refresher lessons on conflict resolution. Each page shows a child in the midst of a conflict, then the next page shows them making a caring choice with the words "Peace, Baby!"  Kids are now shouting to me from across the playground, "Mrs D! Peace, Baby!!" Excellent!

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Book Review: Penny and Her Marble

Author/Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up
Other Books in This Series: Penny and Her Doll,Penny and Her Song 
 
From the Book Jacket: When Penny spots a marble in Mrs. Goodwin's front yard, she picks it up, puts it in her pocket, and takes it home. It's a beautiful marble - it's big, shiny, blue, smooth, and fast, and Penny loves it. But does the marble really belong to Penny?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I'm always thinking about how I can help the students in my school build character. Enter Penny. Guilt. Remorse. These are the feelings you have when you do not practice integrity and honesty. This is what happens to Penny. She takes something that does not belong to her and at first she is excited by her new item. But eventually it starts to eat at her because it does not belong to her. She pretty much can't function until she does the right thing - put it back where she found it. I just absolutely love this story. It represents the important morals and values we want to teach our children. Love Love! More please!

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