Self Awareness and Personal Discovery
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Mark as New
- Mark as Read
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Printer Friendly Page
- Report Inappropriate Content
“Taco Falls Apart” by Rachel Bright
This book uses comedy to help taco face challenges as he begins to fall apart, he faces and identity crises and depression. Through support of the many taco toppings, taco learns to focus on the good things he can do, and that one failure does not determine another. Exaggeration makes the story humorous as well as relatable to students as they can see parts of themselves in the drama that taco creates. A takeaway for students could be the discussion of feelings with others can be beneficial and help change their outlook on a situation.
Personal Growth - This book shows students that we are not all perfect and use resilience to navigate life. It also shows young readers that we all have moments where we feel less than perfect and to embrace their imperfections.
Respecting Differences – By the toppings only showing positive support to taco it illustrates for students that respectful and positive responses to unique traits can change someone’s attitude.
- Successful Reader – Students enjoy reading the playful, humorous story and are kept actively engaged. This is a relatable story as tacos are so popular “Taco Tuesday”, this book uses repetitive and predictable patterns that lends to successful reading.
LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3IiWRitJ_Y
“I’m a Bad Seed” by Jory John
This is a story about a sunflower seed who believes he is bad because of past actions. Throughout the story the seed reflects on his bad actions, and they affect others. Self-reflection by the seed questions his internal makeup and results in accountability for his actions. The seed starts to make better choices based on his contemplation of past actions.
Personal Growth – This book shows that there are consequences of one’s actions, and learning from mistakes is crucial for personal growth. Accountability and change are the key concepts for students to learn about.
Respecting Differences – This book teaches acceptance that there are differences and children are imperfect. All children will make mistakes, and their peers must accept these imperfections.
Successful Reader – A relatable character as well as interactive elements that lead to discussion.
LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqsGoiz-ufg
“The Calm Down Jar” by Jennifer Jones
This is a story about a young child who struggles to manage anxiety. The parents give the child a “calm down jar”, this jar is filled with glitter and water. After shaken the glitter starts to settle and calm down like the parents want the child too. Throughout this story the child uses the “calm down jar” to cope with his emotions. The child utilizes a tool to manage stress levels.
Personal Growth – The jar can be used as a visual learning tool and a distraction from the anxiety they are feeling. With time and patients most emotions will settle and pass.
Respecting Differences – Some children still struggle handling big emotions, and their actions are at various levels. For some their emotions are huge, like the little boy in the story.
Successful Reader – This book gives a visual representation of the calming jar which can encourage students to make their own. It offers relatable scenarios that are more appealing to young readers.
