Hello all! I'm back for another link up with Kindergarten Planet and The Kindergarten Connection. This week we are showing off our favorite books that teach our littles about compassion. Most children are compassionate and caring by nature, but it is so important that we foster this and help it grow. There is already so much ugliness and meanness in the world, why not help our little ones learn to solve conflicts and take care of each other?
One of my favorite books to read to my firsties is A Sick Day for Amos McGee, by Phillip C. Stead.
This book came to me in a stack of books a veteran teacher was giving away when she retired, and I was lucky enough to grab it. It is such a sweet story about a zookeeper who takes such good care of his animals that they decide to return the favor when he gets sick. All of the animals climb on the bus and go to visit Amos and take care of him. It's an adorable book, and has tons of great vocabulary to boot!
Another favorite, especially at the beginning of the year, is Chrysanthemum, by Kevin Henkes. In this story Chrysanthemum loves her name until she goes to school and the other kids make fun of it. She begins to "wilt" until a favorite teacher shows her compassion and helps her to be proud of her name again.
My last choice is Bear Feels Sick, by Karma Wilson. I absolutely love the bear books for firsties, but I have to say this is one of my favorites. Bear catches a cold and all of his little woodland friends care for him. Then, as soon as he is well his friends catch his cold and he ends up caring for them! It is a great story to reinforce the "do unto others" concept with little ones.
So, what books do you read to teach your students about compassion? Link up with us and share!
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ReplyDeleteWhat great books to share compassion! Bear and his entourage are a staple for our class all year long, but I'm with you; this is my favorite title in the series. The kids relate to the characters, and love to create plays based on the books. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI must be out of the loop. Everyone is talking about A Sick Day for Amos McGee and I've never heard of it. I guess it's going on my shopping list!
ReplyDeleteRachael
You really shared some awesome books with us!! I LOVE the super-sweet message in Amos McGee, and Chrysanthemum is one we read at the beginning of every year! I am a huge fan of all the Bear books, but I must admit I don't have that one!! Must go on the Wish List!
ReplyDeleteYou made some really great choices in Compassion books, thank you so much for sharing them with us!! I'm really loving your new blog design, it puts me in a tropical frame of mind!! :-)
Erin
Kindergarten Dragons
Hi! I have to read this Amos McGee book. I don't know it but is sounds so special and definitely full of compassion. I'm so glad you are sharing your favorites with us!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
Kindergarten Planet
I love all your books that you shared. I have a couple of them as my favorites as well. I have Chrysanthemum and will have to pull it out to read this year. Thanks for sharing! Kristi Teaching Little Miracles
ReplyDeleteI love those books! I didn't add Chrysanthemum to my list - that is a great one, I will definitely have to remember that one for this topic! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat books and I love your blog name. :) It's fun to say.
ReplyDeleteMrs.B's Classroom Adventures
I love your blog name too! I used to use Chrysanthemum for my ELL's...I should find a copy to read to my upcoming kindergarten class. I think it would make a great back to school read. :)
ReplyDeleteI love Chrysanthemum! I had not heard of the other two books, so thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteKristi
Teaching in the Tropics