Picture Books for Anti-Bullying Month

picture books for anti-bullying month

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Are you always looking for ways to build a classroom community? Many times, this involves having different students work together. Additionally, it recognizes students for being kind and helpful to each other. While this is important all year long, it deserves a special focus during October for Anti-Bullying Month! Honestly, students genuinely need to understand why bullying is so wrong and hurtful. Luckily, there are fantastic picture books for Anti-Bullying Month! Every selection will inspire students to always be kind. 

picture books for anti-bullying month

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#1- Tough by Erin Frankel 

Do you ever reflect on how different school is for our students than we experienced? While changes are normal to occur over time, students are under so much pressure. Our students can lose sight of who they are with all of the pressure they are under. This is exactly the case with Sam. She spends her time trying to look “cool” at school. This means she thinks she has to withstand others being mean and not working together. Sadly, this causes her to tease a free-spirited classmate. She even gets a friend to join in on the teasing. A concerned teacher confronts Sam and her friend to talk about this bullying. Luckily, this eye-opening conversation shows Sam her actions have been mean and hurtful. Students will love to see Sam evolve from cover to cover! 

picture books for anti-bullying month

Students will love this book so much. Thankfully, this series has three books to explain a different bullying experience. This is a great way to build connections with students! I love how the entire series shows students how to face challenges, stand up for what is right, and be kind to all. 

#2- My Last Best Friend by Julie Bowe

Ida May experienced some of the toughest heartaches a fourth grader can- her best friend moved away! Sadly, Ida May really doesn’t have any other friends, thanks to a bratty, bossy classmate. However, Ida May insists she does not mind and vows to never have a best friend again. 

Everything changes when Stacey Merriweather arrives at school. Since Ida knows what it is like to be lonely, she reaches out to Stacey through anonymous notes. While the girls continue talking like this, Ida May eventually reveals herself. While this story begins with heartache, it has a happy ending with a true friendship forming. 

picture books for anti-bullying month

As you’re looking for more books to read during the fall, check out Fall Mentor Texts for the Elementary Classroom. These are great ways to remind students to be grateful for all the kind, caring people in their lives. 

#3- The Juice Box Bully by Bob Sornson 

Do you often tell students not to stand by while someone does something wrong? Honestly, teachers have this conversation every year! It takes a lot of courage and confidence for students to stand up versus being a bystander. 

Using picture books for Anti-Bullying Month shows students how to stand up for what is right. They will learn this through the perspective of Pete’s new classmates. They have two options. First, they could be bystanders and just watch when Pete misbehaves. Second, they could help him make “The Promise” and stop being a bully. Thankfully, Pete’s classmates select the second option! 

read aloud

 

#4- The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes 

Do you have students who often wear the same clothes to school? Unfortunately, many families cannot afford to buy their children multiple outfits. Sadly, this leads to students getting teased and made fun of. 

This is exactly the situation with Wanda Petronski. While she tells her classmates she has one hundred dresses at home, they know she wears the same faded blue dress daily. After leaving early one day, her classmates feel awful about their behavior. Luckily, there is a classmate who promises never to stand by again. Students will love to see how a classmate went from being a bystander to gaining the courage to speak up! 

read aloud

#5- My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig 

Honestly, this is a story many of our students will relate to! It is the story of Monica and Katie- two girls who have been best friends since kindergarten. Sadly, Katie has changed and uses Monica as her target. Monica does not understand why Katie is being mean, calling her names, and purposely embarrassing her. Thankfully, Monica opens up to her mom. This conversation provides Katie with the strength needed to stand up to Monica’s bullying.  

picture books for anti-bullying month

Truthfully, this book is fantastic for students, teachers, counselors, and parents. It shows the importance of opening up to a caring adult and never allowing someone to put you down. 

#6- Goal by Mina Javaherbin 

Ajani and his friends love playing with their soccer ball. However, it is not just a regular soccer ball. It is a brand-new, federation-size soccer ball! Since they live in a South African town, it is hard to come by this type. So, they play with it non-stop. Sadly, this excitement stops when bullies try to steal the ball. Readers will be on the edge of their seats while seeing how Ajani and his friends get their ball back. 

read aloud

Books have the power to change lives. They allow students to visit places worldwide and learn vital life-long skills. Additionally, reading even allows students to learn all about holidays, such as the Halloween Mentor Texts! There are even Halloween Close Read Passages to teach students about key aspects of Halloween while becoming stronger readers. Whether looking for books to help students believe in themselves or picture books for Anti-Bullying Month, there are many options! Thankfully, this means there are books for everyone to connect with. 

halloween reading

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read aloud

7 Things to Stop Doing With Your ELL Students

7 Things to stop doing with your ell students

Are you always trying new strategies to keep students excited about learning? Ultimately, the hope is that if students remain engaged, they will learn the material deeper. Since students’ needs change throughout the year, teachers often change their teaching techniques. I get why we do this! However, it is essential to reflect on what we are doing and if it is best for students. While we always have the best intentions, we are still humans. We make mistakes! That is exactly why I am here to share 7 things to stop doing with your ELL students! 

7 Things to stop doing with your ell students

#1: Stop Dumbing Down and Watering Down Content 

Now, you may be rolling your eyes as you read this. But, let me explain. I understand why people think that ELL students need simpler content. BUT, this does not mean they need dumbed-down materials. This will only make them bored. They will also think their teacher does not believe in them. Instead, bring them up to your level through scaffolding and differentiation strategies. They deserve modifications and accommodations that allow them to close the gap and still interact with classmates. 

#2: Stop Thinking Your Students Are Low 

Imagine being given a book written in a language you barely understand.  It’s not even like you can sound out unknown words because you don’t even understand the language. You would feel confused and frustrated. This is exactly how ELL students feel when they receive books and worksheets they can’t read. So, teachers often give them a very basic assignment instead. However, ELL students are NOT low! They just don’t understand the language. They need time to transfer information from one language to the other. Once they do, they will be able to show how smart they are. 

#3: Stop Forcing Them to Speak If They Aren’t Ready 

ELL students are experiencing an entirely new world. They need time to take everything in and adjust to new surroundings. So, don’t force them to speak. You want to encourage them by giving them the opportunity, but you do not want to mandate talking. Instead, model how to have a conversation. When they are ready, they will open up. If you stay positive, they will gain the confidence to talk. 

#4: Stop Correcting Language 

If you took a foreign language class in school, do you remember being confused about how the language works? For instance, some languages put the adjective after the noun instead of before. Similarly, an o or an a in select words determines male or female. Just like we were confused, our ELL students are confused! They will make mistakes as they learn a new language. If they are constantly corrected, they will become scared to talk. Instead, model good language. With time and practice, ELL students will see their mistakes and make the needed adjustments. 

#5: Stop Denying Their Culture and Language 

I cannot stress this enough! Our ELL students follow different cultural traditions than we may know about. They will also go home and speak a language we do not understand. We cannot deny these aspects. This means we cannot turn them off the second school begins. Instead, we need to allow students to bring their culture and language into the classroom. Embrace their backgrounds and differences. Students will feel happy to be who they are while adjusting to a new environment. 

#6: Stop Assuming A Student Knows Something Just Because They Don’t Ask Questions 

Yes, it would be great for students always to let the teacher know when they are confused. We would love for them to ask questions whenever they come up. However, this is not realistic. Students may not know how to ask questions. Or, they may be content to just sit there during the lesson. They may say they understand, but in reality, they don’t. Honestly, this is the case for all of our students. Not just our ELL students. So, we must stop assuming they understand the text, worksheets, and activities. We must clarify our understanding of even the most minor instruction components. Students will be thankful they have such a patient and caring teacher that learned the 7 things to stop doing with your ELL students. 

#7: Stop Letting Students Just Sit There 

Teachers love a classroom of focused students. However, focus does not always mean quiet! We cannot just let our ELL students sit there. They need to be involved just like everyone else. This means we hold them to the same expectations as all the students in the classroom. So, this means we model what to do. We provide help and guidance. We ensure students understand what to do and support them in learning. 

ELL students are adjusting to so much at once. On top of changes at home, their schooling is entirely different. While they need support and guidance, they do not need basic worksheets. They do not need to be treated differently just because they have different backgrounds. Thankfully, these 7 things to stop doing with your ELL students will ensure they receive appropriate lessons!

For more helpful tips on teaching students, check out Gifted Reading. It provides great ideas to include in lessons. 

If you do not want to miss any of the upcoming lessons, join my email list to be notified of all the interactive lessons coming up! By joining the email list, you will also receive freebies for blog exclusive subscribers!  

7 things to stop doing with your ell students