Short, tall, brown hair, red hair—we all look different in one way or another. Early in life, infants quickly learn to recognize their parents by looking at their faces and hearing their voices. Our differences, both inside and outside, are what make us unique. However, sometimes the differences between us become not only a symbol of our originality but also a misguided opportunity for teasing or ridicule. Adventures at Walnut Grove, by Dana Lehman and Judy Lehman, provides parents and educators a wonderful opportunity to approach the delicate subject of teasing.
Lehman's story unfolds in a setting inviting to any child—a
summer resort filled with friendship and fun. As many of us know, summer
vacations can provide laughter, create fond memories, and help us to develop
lifelong friendships. Lehman's story presents the reader with the all the
excitement and adventure one would expect from a fun-filled resort vacation—from
wonderful games of softball (walnut ball) to the friendly competition of
swimming races.
At the other end of the spectrum, however, many of us can
also relate to the moment when all the fun is washed away by tears brought on
by an unkind word. Sammy Squirrel, the main character, experiences this sadness
when a newcomer to Walnut Grove makes fun of his appearance. Sammy cries, but
does not lash out at Bucky, thus presenting the first of Lehman's timeless
lessons.
As the story progresses, Lehman continues to communicate to
the reader how teasing effects everyone. Bucky, the beaver that teased Sammy,
learns a valuable lesson in empathy when the teaser becomes the teased. This
turn of events provides parents with a great opportunity to find teachable
moments in their child's life. Usually, when one child teases another, there is
a reason behind the unkind act. In Bucky's case, he didn't mean any harm when
he made fun of Sammy; he merely wanted Sammy to strike out while he was at bat
in the game of walnut ball. When Bucky is teased by another character in the
story, Lehman guides the reader through the best way to solve the problem.
In the end, the animals are once again great friends
enjoying their time together in Walnut Grove.
Adventures at Walnut Grove is a delightful story that is beautifully
enhanced by watercolor illustrations.
THE DETAILS:
Total Word Count:
878
Average word count
per 2-page spread: 68
Extra Value: Provides valuable lesson on empathy and a
reminder not to tease others
Dana Lehman’s series of books based on Walnut Grove can be found on Amazon and her website. Please check out the other exciting stories that take place in Walnut Grove.
The activities that I created to accompany this book are a
terrific way to reinforce the skills of identifying differences in others and
celebrating those differences.
EACH OF US IS BEAUTIFULLY DIFFERENT
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Students will sort animal cards by a
specified attribute. They will then select animals from at least two categories
to create a new animal. They will create a verbal description of the newly
created animal.
Grade Range: K-2nd
Time to complete: 30-45
minutes
Materials:
Animal cards
Note cards with categories
Crayons, markers, watercolors, or colored pencils
Paper
Note cards with categories
Crayons, markers, watercolors, or colored pencils
Paper
Instructions:
1. Conduct a classroom discussion based on the following
introduction—
Try to imagine a world where everything is the same. What
if you had to eat the same food for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day? What
if everyone had the same type of pets? Bikes? Houses? Toys? Etc. Now try to
imagine a world that is filled with variety. How would that world be different?
Which world would you like to live in? Why?
2. Flip through the animals cards and discuss how the
animals are different. (Size, shape, color, number of legs, type of skin, etc.)
3. Sort the animals by various attributes, similar to the categories shown below.
5. Write or verbally create a description of that animal.
The artwork for the Snabbit and Butterdog were generously created by Ali from Florida.
ARE YOU A SQUIRREL, A BEAVER, OR A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH—A SQUEAVER?
This activity addresses not only the skills of positively
identifying our individualities, but it also provides a way to embrace those
differences. It hurts when someone calls us names. By creating a unique animal
based on individual preferences, and giving the animal a special name, this
activity provides a gentle way to deal with teasing by others.
True Story: There was once a child that loved
collecting rocks. He often came home from school with his pockets loaded with rocks
of every shape, size, and color. Sadly, the boy was teased and called ‘Rocks
and Minerals’. He was sad that his friends and classmates made fun of him
because of his hobby. The boy had a wonderful science teacher that encouraged
his passion for discovery and realized that her student was as unique as the
rocks he collected.
When that boy grew up he went on a rock and fossil hunt
near the Chesapeake Bay. While there, he discovered a rare type of whale
fossil. That fossil, a whale from the Miocene era, now resides in a museum in
Maryland.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Students will create an animal based
on their personal preferences. They will then use that animal to compare with
the animals created by others in the class.
Grade Range: 1-4Time to complete: 30-45 minutes
Materials:
Animal Printouts
(provided)Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
Glue
Scissors
Paper
Instructions:
1. Prior to the activity, prepare an animal glyph based on
your choices for the animal components.
Ask: Looking at the animal I
created, and the key, what do you think is my favorite outdoor fun? Indoor fun?
Helping fun?
Explain that the students are going to create their own
animal, based on their favorite things to do.
2. Show the key to the students. Discuss the options for
each category.
3. Give the animal printout and the key to the students.
5. For the section entitled Indoor fun, instruct the
students to draw their favorite item, cut it out, and add it to the paws of
their animal. This addition will make their animal creations TRULY unique.
6. When the animal glyphs are completed, student will share
their choices in small groups.
Hint: You can mix up
the groups by having them find classmates with some similarities, some
differences, or all differences. This is a wonderful opportunity to help select
students for classroom chores.
OR...
*This giveaway will include a free copy of Adventures at
Walnut Grove (Dana Lehman & Judy Lehman), as well as a $10 gift card
for a future Amazon purchase. The registration will last from the posting of
this blog post until midnight, October 7, 2013. One winner will be randomly
selected from the entries. The books and treat will be shipped from Amazon
within approximately 2 weeks following the close of the giveaway. The giveaway
is open to residents of the United States with a United State’s mailing
address. The winner’s name will be posted on the blog, unless the winner
chooses not to have his/her name posted. To be considered for entry into this
giveaway, the entrant’s email address must be submitted to the blog
administrator.
