Setting the Tone - Better Off Together
It’s a new school year and establishing the kind of learning environment you want to have from the get-go is important. Classrooms imbued with qualities like a safe space for taking risks and trying new things, being respectful, curious, and determined are but a few of the many that will help with classroom management
issues, as well as, learning.
And that brings me to today’s words: cooperation and
collaboration.
Here are a few picture books that could be used at the
elementary level to illustrate and initiate conversations about students
working together, the importance of team work, communication, and being responsible.
The Whale by Ethan Murrow
I love the black and white illustrations in this one. They
work well to convey the wordless story about an adventure to confirm the existence
of a mythical whale when two children come together (as in literally crash
into each other) and work with each other to make the experience that much more rewarding.
The Red Apple by Feridun Oral
A group of hungry animals figure out how to work together to
get the only food to be found in winter, a red apple hanging high in a tree.
That Neighbor Kid by Daniel Miyares
True collaboration happens between two children when each brings their
abilities into play while trying to construct a tree house together. The illustrations
have a strong retro feel with a fairly simple colour palette with mostly black
and white drawings and touches of colour appearing as they begin working together.
Ewe and Aye by Candace Ryan
I love this one for the word play and that these two animal
friends, Ewe (sheep) and Aye (lemur) with very different skill sets (one likes
wings and one likes wheels) eventually building the best-ever flying machine.
The illustrations are very cartoony and fit the story perfectly.
Up the Creek by Nicholas Oldland
With a definite Canadiana vibe, a bear, a moose and a beaver
must work together to paddle their canoe through fast running white water
rapids safely. The humorous elements are a treat.
Give a Goat by Jan Rock Schrock
A group of fifth graders are inspired to raise funds to
support a charity that looks to give livestock to impoverished families in
third world countries. This is a good title for raising issues of being a
global citizen, community service and fund raising. The book will be best used
in upper elementary.
A Warm Winter by Feridun Oral
Another selection by the same author of The Red Apple. He’s
obviously big into having animals come together, helping one another overcome
some challenge especially in winter. In this case, it’s a small mouse trying to
keep warm and discovering his load of wood is too heavy for him to carry home.
His friends come to his assistance to the benefit of all.
Going Places by Peter Reynolds
A contest to build a go-cart brings together two unlikely classmates who
dare to dream big and go beyond the norm. They build the ultimate go-cart that
totally blows the competition away with a very innovative flying-cart.
Three Monks and No Water
by Ting-Xing Ye
An oldie but a goodie. This lesson-bound story again reinforces the
benefits of group responsibility and cooperation. A mountain-top temple is at
risk when three monks try to shirk their responsibility of bring up pails of
water from the base of the mountain. Only by working together do they advert
disaster. This title is best suited for upper elementary.
These are only a handful of titles that embody the qualities of working together.
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