Mistake Masterpieces/A Big Mistake
A Big Mistake by Lenore Rinder, Susan Horn
(Illustrator)
Students will listen to/look at a read aloud The Big Mistake which is about a child
who makes a mistake on a painting and then turns the mistake into a fabulous
picture.
Class discussion on how we react when we make mistakes (melt down, get mad,
learn from them).
Then each student will do a watercolor painting with the rule being if they make a
mistake, they have to turn it into something else in their picture (no new sheets of
paper will be given).
 Personal/Social Domain
o PS:B1.1 Identify alternative solutions to a problem
o PS: B1.10 Identify alternative ways of achieving goals
o
 Academic Development Domain
o A:A1.4 Accept mistakes as essential to the learning process
o A:A2.2 Demonstrate how effort and persistence positively affect
learning
The OK Book
The OK Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
and Tom Lichtenheld (Apr 24, 2007)
Students will look at/listen to a read aloud The OK
Book about a child who tries all sorts of new things and is just “OK” at each one.
He has a lot of fun doing them and knows that one day he’ll be really good at
something, he just hasn’t found it yet.
Class discussion about the book – Why did I read it to them? What does it mean to
them? Why is it important to try new things? How do we get better at something
we are just OK at?
After discussion, students will select something they are “OK” at doing and
complete a statement/picture about that activity. Pictures will be shared by
students wishing to share their picture/activity.
 Academic Development Domain
o A:A1.4 Accept mistakes as essential to the learning process
o A:A2.2 Demonstrate how effort and persistence positively affect
learning
o A:A3.3 Develop a broad range of interests and abilities
 Career Development Domain
o C:A1.9 Develop hobbies and vocational interests
o C:A1.10 Balance between work and leisure time
 Personal/Social Domain
o PS:B1.11 Use persistence and perseverance in acquiring knowledge
and skills
Duck! Rabbit!
Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
and Tom Lichtenheld
Students will look at/listen to a read aloud Duck! Rabbit!and
discuss.
Class discussion about the book – Why did I read it to them? What does it mean to
them? Are there times at school when we see things differently from our friends?
What does this book tell us about that? (there are two sides to everything...we need
to look at both sides and see things from someone else’s view...). Discuss
situations with friends, on the playground, at home, etc.
This can be used as a short session, perhaps on a shortened schedule day (early
dismissal, etc.) or you can follow with scenarios for the students to pair up and
discuss, then share.
 Academic Development Domain
o A:A3.2 Demonstrate the ability to work independently, as well as the
ability to work cooperatively with other students.
 Career Development Domain
o C:A1.4 Learn how to interact and work cooperatively in teams
o C:A1.5 Learn to make decisions
o C:A2.5 Learn to respect individual uniqueness in the workplace
 Personal/Social Domain
o PS:A1.5 Identify and express feelings
o PS:A1.8 Understand the need for self-control and how to practice it
o PS:A2.2 Respect alternative points of view
o PS:A2.8 Learn how to make and keep friends
o PS:B1.6 Know how to apply conflict resolution skills
Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler
: Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler by
Cuyler/Yoshikawa.
Students will learn about kindness to others in this
lesson and then do a hands-on kindness project.
Read aloud on carpet: Kindness is Cooler, Mrs.
Ruler.
Students will brainstorm acts of kindness they can do at home, at school or in the
community. Students will complete an act of kindness for the community by
making Christmas or Winter (if child doesn’t celebrate Christmas) pictures and
cards for our military men and women overseas and residents at nursing homes.
Supplies: Construction paper, crayons, markers
 Personal/Social Domain – Standard A
Students will acquire the knowledge, attitudes and interpersonal skills to help them
understand and respect self and others.
o PS:A1.5 demonstrate cooperative behavior in groups
o PS:A1.1 develop positive attitudes toward self as a unique and worthy
person
o PS:A1.10 identify personal strengths and weaknesses
Odd Velvet
Odd Velvet by Mary E. Whitcomb,
1998.
Read Odd Velvet aloud on the carpet and let the class
discuss the book.
Have students move to their tables and complete a
four-square activity. Students will fold their paper in 4 squares. In the top left
square, they will write 1-2 ways that Velvet was the same as her classmates. The
top right square, they will write 1-2 ways that Velvet was different from her
classmates. In the bottom left square, they will write 1-2 ways that they are like
their classmates and the bottom right square, they will write 1-2 ways that they are
different from their classmates.
Students will be given the opportunity to present their 4-square to the rest of the
class.
 Career Development Domain
o C:A2.5 Learn to respect individual uniqueness in the workplace
 Personal/Social Domain
o PS:A1.1 Develop positive attitudes toward self as a unique and
worthy person
o PS:A2.3 Recognize, accept, respect and appreciate individual
differences
o PS:A2.8 Learn how to make and keep friends
Other Great Books
The Secret Olivia Told Me by N. Joy
Excellent for secrets, rumors, can be used to springboard into a discussion
about secrets we should NOT keep too.
Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome by Clarabelle van Niekerk & Liezl
Venter, MA CCC-SLP.
Beautiful book to read to class or individuals to help them understand the
specialness of these children.
One by Kathryn Otoshi
A book about bullying using colors. A fresh new take and a great read aloud
for younger kids on standing up against a bully.
Glenna’s Seeds by Nancy Edwards
Not so new but a great book about one child’s kindness spreading through
the neighborhood.
Just Kidding by Trudy Ludwig.
A book about bullying and how to deal with being bullied. In this story, the
bully doesn’t necessarily realize he is bullying...he’s “Just Kidding” but the
kidding hurts. Good to help students recognize that the things they say in jest
might be hurtful to others.
When I GrowUp by Al Yankovic
A delightful book about all the different things a child can aspire to be when
they grow up. Also sparks discussion about how people often change jobs
throughout their lives. Great read aloud – very funny and entertaining.
Who Moved My Cheese (for kids) by Spencer Johnson, M.D.
Best book I have ever used in working with individuals and small groups in
dealing with life changes (mainly when parents divorce or remarry). It is about
letting go of how things used to be and moving on to future happiness.