Being friends with really cool people can sometimes lead me down the “compare and despair” spiral of gloom. My husband is an artist. I’m not. One of my friends is a belly dancer. I’m not. Another friend is an organic gardener. I grow weeds. *sigh* So when I saw Pam Smallcomb’s book I’m Not with its adorable illustrations by Robert Weinstock, I knew I’d found the picture book for me. The main character (a crocodile? An alligator? A dinosaur with a little pink bow on her head?) is a bit jealous of her friend, Evelyn. “She’s not one single bit ordinary. And she’s a little mysterious. I’m not.” Evelyn is stylish, talented, energetic, and creative. (Most of my friends are Evelyns.) The croco-gator-dinosaur is not. But she makes yummy cookies, isn’t afraid of the dark, and is a good speller. Evelyn isn’t. And Evelyn needs “a true-blue friend”, which our main character most certainly is.
After reading I’m Not, put signs in three corners of your classroom: “I’m not”, “I am” and “I am, sometimes”. Start with a statement inspired by Smallcomb’s book: “If I were a car, I would get a speeding ticket.” Let students sort themselves into one of the three areas. Give more statements for students to sort themselves. You can turn these statements into the ice-breaker game of “Buddy Bingo” for a Self-Smart reading activity. Write the statements in squares on sheets of paper like a Bingo card. (To keep an upbeat vibe going, I’d choose all positive statements!) Tape a sheet to each student’s back, or give each student the sheet on a clipboard. Students can write their names in squares they feel describe them, but they should write only once on any sheet. See if your students can find enough different classmates to fill the squares, and let them choose one to fill in on their own page. Rather than focus on what we are not, encourage your students to focus on all that we are. I am!
For more information, please check out Pam Smallcomb’s site: pamsmallcomb.com and Robert Weinstock’s website: callmebob.com.
This is so cool ~ I’m going to recommend to a friend who teaches special needs high school kids!
Karrie, I think this book is for all ages, even though it’s a picture book. We all need reminders to celebrate who we are.
How great of a story I will look for it on my next trip. and Kris,,, I am NOT a writer or patient with large amounts of children and that’s just 2 things YOU ARE and I AM NOT. LOVES!!!!
AW, thanks, Margot! YOU ARE a fantastic mom, and a wonderful friend, and I AM glad to know you!
As a school psych, I love your work, your dedication, (your support), and your love for what you do. It’s very inspiring.
With this one, there would be a great way to work in phonemic awareness along with the theme… a week-long classroom project on this with categories (consonants, vowels, blends, first letter/last letter, etc.; creativity wins here!) would be pretty awesome and allow your fantastic theme to be stretched. A “time machine” approach, saving each child’s submission to be opened at age X would enhance it even further – they’ll surprise themselves at what they “thought” they were and were not! 🙂 [Sorry for long comment! You got me going! Any way I can foster success is the name of my game, and this is a fantastic springboard. <3 it!]
Hi, Ellen!
These are fantastic ideas! Thanks for sharing – I will definitely be using your “time machine” idea!
Great post; great ideas.
Thanks, Ann!
“Compare and despair”. I play that game so often it’s not even funny. Really. Whatta a great post!
Thanks, Christine! Just remember, when I look at your art, I’m sighing and wishing I had your talent!
OH my goodness! What a great book!
The Fairy Godmother will be getting her own copy for use for big people AND littel people! Thank thank you!!
Fairy Godmother, come to the Orion Library for this book and for a hug from me!
Thanks Kris for a great exercise to begin the year with!
linda
You’re welcome, Linda! And I hadn’t thought of it as a way to kick off the school year, but it certainly would be a good one to do with a new class – and at the end of the year, too, to celebrate how much we’ve learned.