Discuss the Themes

This story has many themes including activism, climate change, saving the environment, bullying and building community. Discuss each theme and its meaning with students and ask them to share any personal connections they have with one of these themes. Draw a tree on...

Find Things in Common

Pair students in groups of two. Ask them to find out three ways they are different and three ways they are alike.

Role Play Showing Care and Empathy

Ask students to find a partner. One partner will act out a feeling (mad, sad, lonely or happy). The other partner will share encouraging words to practice their empathy skills.

Skin Color Match-Ups

Set out a number of nylon knee-high stockings in various shades: tan, black, white, pink, yellow and red. Encourage children to try them on their hands and arms, or their legs and feet. Ask questions to help students increase their awareness of skin color. For...

Alike and Different

Set out white 3″ x 5″ cards, a black ink pad, a pen and a magnifying glass. Ask the students to make prints of their thumbs by pressing them on the ink pad and then onto the cards. Label each print with the student’s name. Let students use the magnifying...