Looking Closely at the Cover

by | Sep 14, 2026

Display the cover and invite children to carefully observe the two boats, the characters and the setting. Encourage predictions about where each pair is traveling and why their boats are so different. Record children’s ideas and revisit them after reading to...

Friendship Role Play

by | Sep 14, 2026

Students act out scenarios involving loneliness and practice supportive responses that promote inclusion and kindness.

Text-to-Self Connections

by | Sep 14, 2026

After each loneliness example in the book, invite students to quietly reflect on whether they have experienced something similar. Discuss how people may experience loneliness in different ways.

Friendship Web

by | Sep 14, 2026

Using a ball of yarn, students sit in a circle and share the name of someone who helps them feel connected. Each student holds onto the yarn and passes it to another classmate. Discuss how everyone is connected through relationships.

Belonging Brainstorm

by | Sep 14, 2026

Ask students to complete the sentence, “I feel like I belong when … .” Record responses on a class chart. Discuss common themes and help students understand the importance of feeling included and connected.