One of the most important jobs I have in my classroom is to teach my students to be themselves, to accept and respect themselves as well as each other. Promoting individuality in the classroom though, can be a difficult concept to teach.
Picture books are the perfect way to help students understand, promote, and celebrate individuality.
Recently, I had the opportunity to review a beautiful new book, Dazzling Travis. In the story, Travis is picked on because of what he likes to do for fun, and what he likes to wear.
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Reasons I Love Dazzling Travis:
- Characters are people
- Main character is a boy
- Many examples of individuality
- Demonstrates problem solving and responding appropriately
I read this book with my students, and they really enjoyed it.
Many were shocked to see the main character, Travis, enjoyed dressing up, and acting and dancing.
We were able to have really meaningful conversations about promoting individuality being comfortable with who we are, and celebrating and respecting individuality in our own classroom.
Below you’ll find some discussion starters that can be used with the book, or during your morning meeting time.
Before Reading, Ask:
- What does “dazzling” mean?
- Have you ever been picked on? What for?
- What does it mean to be confident? Original? Unique?
During Reading, Ask:
- How does Travis demonstrate confidence?
- What are some ways in which Travis is unique?
- Why do the other students pick on Travis and his friends?
- How does Travis respond to the students treating him poorly?
After Reading, Ask:
- How does Travis demonstrate bravery? How can you demonstrate bravery?
- What makes you special? Unique? Original?
- How are you different from others?
- What would it be like if we were all the same?
In addition the discussion starters, here are a few extension activities that can be done with your class to aid in promoting individuality:
- Understanding Travis/Me (character traits)
- I am Special/Unique Because (brainstorm)
- Dazzling Me Self-Portrait
- Dazzling Me Writing
- Writing a letter to the students who picked on Travis and his friends
You can download these activities, plus the discussion starters in a free download.
Other Read Alouds for Promoting Individuality
- Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun
- Yoko
- Wolfie the Bunny
- William’s Doll
- Thelma the Unicorn
- Pink is for Boys
- A Bad Case of Stripes
- Rot the Cutest in the World
- Chrysanthemum
- Spork
- Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon
- Most Marshmallows
- I Like Myself
- T. Veg the Carrot Crunching Dinosaur
- I Don’t Want to Be a Frog
- Not Quite Narwhal
You Might Also Like:
- How to Have Meaningful Conversations in the Classroom
- Books to Build a Community of Learners
- Happy Notes for Students
- The Fruit Salad Friend
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