Shhhh! Do not tell my boys.
They will start laughing again!
Isn't this such a cute picture of Maria? I just love it! If you have not met Maria yet, let me introduce you to her. I first met Maria through her blog "Be the Difference." It is an amazing site that focus on character education for parents, teachers, students, and adults! YES, even adults can learn something amazing from Maria.
Her latest book (her fourth one!) is called The Potato Chip Champ. Its funny... my sons were saying she needed to write a "boy book" and here it is! Maria writes all of her stories based upon her own experiences as a child. Due to this each story feels real. I love this characteristic of the story.
This story arrived at my house at the perfect time. My sons all had a bad case of the "I wants" (it was Christmas, can you tell?). I have tried so many times to teach them 'the reason for the season' but the "I wants" remained.
This book did a great job at curing that! The message of empathy, respect, responsibility, integrity, and forgiveness were beautiful woven in between the pages of the story. This book was a home run in my home and the boys each took a turn taking it to school to share with their classmates.
My sons came home super excited! After reading the story, their class decided to focus on random acts of kindness rather than I wants. They came up with a contest... they would create a paper chain to see which class could do more random acts of kindness by winter break than the other.
When the other 3rd and 4th grade teachers heard of the competition between 2 brothers and their class. They joined in. So now it is a 3rd vs 4th grade challenge. I am eagerly awaiting the school assembly to see which child won.
What a great idea. Can you imagine what a difference we can make if we all choose to honor others and focus on our character than the I wants?
Leave a comment below with how you would use this book in your classroom. I will be randomly drawing a winner for your own signed copy!!!
Thanks Maria for another great lesson!!! I can't wait to read your next book!
Wow this book looks awesome! I LOVE Maria's books! I think this book would be so useful for many different lessons! I would use it in a want vs. needs lesson and of course we would talk about being grateful for what we have.
ReplyDeleteœKaryn
A is for Apple B is for Blog
Kideducator@comcast.net
Such a cool story, Misty, that it started a kindness challenge! Thanks for sharing that.
ReplyDeleteBarbara
I think I need to read this book. I would read it to my homeroom students. They all come from different backgrounds, so it would be interesting to see everyone's feelings about the book. I think it is wonderful that your sons took such an interest in the book! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAndrea
This sounds like a great book. I would love to use this in my classroom to help the students starting thinking of others. I would also love to read this to my two boys at home. It is hard to learn to think of others first- but it is a life long skill that will help them be successful in life.
ReplyDeleteEvery class needs to hear this book. I teach 2nd grade. My class would benefit from this book to promote good character. I follow the uuthor's blog and love hearing of how this book has changed people's attitudes/character for the better! Thanks for this offer.
ReplyDeleteSusan in NC
susanlulu@yahoo.com
I would use this in my weekly guidance lessons with my students at our school. I am always looking for children's books to help reinforce life lessons to help them grow. I already use another book by this author. Great resource.
ReplyDeleteRebbecca
rkzoglmann@gmail.com
I have never seen any of Maria's books, I don't think. This one sounds great! I would for sure share it with the 2nd/3rd combo class i sometimes teach for social studies!
ReplyDelete