Page 8 - Teacher Guide Book

BookConnect: Building Community One Book at a Time
Area of Focus: Personal & Community Well-Being

Topic: Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion
Level 2: Learn, Ages 5-8

TEACHER GUIDE: IT'S OKAY TO BE DIFFERENT

Book 2 of 10

Share the Book Initiate Discussion

How do the students perceive the word “different” when it is
used to describe another? How does it make them feel about
that person?

Invite students to share ways in which people may be different.
Do they feel awkward or comfortable when they meet someone
who is different? How does this feeling affect their actions?

Do students find it easier to be with someone who is similar to
them? Ask students to share ways that help them feel
comfortable around people who are different from them.

Have students imagine themselves meeting the author of this

IT'S OKAY TO book in a park. Do they think they would be comfortable being
themselves with him? Why?
BE DIFFERENT Who would your students prefer to be friends with – a person

who accepts them the way they are – even though they are
by Todd Parr different – or one that wants to change them? Why?

Coordinate Group Activities

The Iceberg of Differences Welcome our Visitors from
Planet Zuptar
Draw a large iceberg where the top is above water and
the rest is below. Explain that the top shows what is After students have created their visitors
visible to the eye and the bottom shows what’s not. from Planet Zuptar (in their student activity
Invite students to share differences that are visible, handbook), have them share their creatures
recording these at the top of the iceberg. Then invite and describe them. How would each student
them to think of differences that are not visible, but react to their visitor? How would they make
are important in making a person who they are. them feel welcome? What questions would
Record these at the bottom of the iceberg. This activity they want to ask them? What would they
allows students to reflect on both sets of differences want to share about themselves? Help them
and how they might affect their acceptance of others. understand that differences are not
During the school year, invite students to return to the obstacles to friendship, and may make
Iceberg and add to the list of differences. friendship more rewarding.
8