Using the book "Sneetches" by Dr. Seuss, I hoped to enjoy a rich conversation about bullying as my students monitored their inner conversations and remembered a time when they didn't quite fit in.
I gave each student a post-it note for them to write down their thoughts as I read the book aloud. After finishing the book, the students were able to post their notes on a posterboard (without names) so that we could discuss them. There wasn't much inner conversation going on as I had "?" and "wondered when you were going to be done" on more than one post-it. I am not a boring reader, so I was unsure how to take these notes. There were a few kids who related to a situation at recess or a time when they felt left out.
Each student was then given a playing card with a face value of a 2-4, 9-10, or Queen, King, Ace. The students did not look at the value of their individual card but held it up for everyone else to see. They then moved about the room, without talking, and treated one another in a way that represented the card they were holding. At the end of 2 minutes, students then went and stood next to a poster that showed the value of the card they "believed" they were holding. We continued our discussion on how we treat others and how one who is bullied feels.
In the future, I would wait a little later in the year to do this activity. I think some of my students were embarrassed to write their true inner conversation about "Sneetches" (even though they didn't put their names down) because they wanted to appear tough.
No comments:
Post a Comment