Character Education:Accepting Difference

Bridget KohlerEDU 580 Children and Adolescent Lit.

Text Set 1Feb. 2014

Supporting Classroom CurriculumThis text set is based on the core community

values of our district: Kindness, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.

Through the use of these texts, students will be introduced to different aspects of living with disabilities from first to third person perspective.

Students will have opportunities to learn more about disabilities, explore their own uniqueness, and analyze why inclusion and acceptance is reflective of our core values.

Be Good To Eddie Lee

This is the story of a young girl and her neighbor Eddie Lee who has special needs, Down’s Syndrome. Her mother explains that Eddie Lee is special and she should “be good” to him. But that’s not always easy especially when peer pressure is present.

Told in a picture book, it speaks to children of the importance of kindness and acceptance and the surprise of an unexpected friendship.

Book IdentificationAuthor: Virginia Fleming; Illustrator: Floyd CooperISBN #: 0-399-21993-5Genre: Picture BookLevel: P-I-M

We Can Do It!

This informational text explains how children with special needs are capable of doing many everyday things.

This text is simple to read and easily gets the point across that all children can do many things.

Book IdentificationAuthor: Laura DwightISBN#: 978-1-59572-033-7Genre: Non-Fiction/InformationLevel: P

the road to god knows…

This is the story of a young girl living with her mother who has mental illness. Told through a graphic novel format, the teenage girl copes with a home life that includes divorce, mental illness, hospitalization, poverty and isolation. There is an underlying theme of friendship and a prevailing them of perseverance.

WARNING: This young adult novel has derogatory words and cussing.

Book IdentificationAuthor/Illustrator: Von AllanISBN #: 978-0-9781237-0-3Genre: Graphic NovelLevel: YA

David’s World A Picture Book about Living with Autism

Told from the perspective of a sibling, this fictional story helps younger children to understand what life is like when you are living with autism.

Many topics are addressed in this narrative including language, feelings and sensory concerns.

Book IdentificationAuthor: Dagmar H. MuellerIllustrator: Verena BallhausISBN #: 978-1-61608-962-7Genre: Picture BookLevel: P, I

The Misfits

Inspired by the middle school experience of the author’s daughter, this is a book about accepting difference and working to change the bullying behaviors of name-calling and teasing.

The Misfits is a contemporary, heartfelt look at adolescence and the challenges of not fitting. It is a tribute to friendship and perseverance.

Book IdentificationAuthor: James HoweISBN#: 978-1-404-69820-8Genre: Realistic FictionLevel: M-YA

Views from our ShoesGrowing up with a Brother or Sister with Special Needs

Written as short essays, children describe their own experiences as siblings of children with special needs.

Essays are written from children as young as 4 up to 18 year old young adults.

The reflections may include some information about the disability as well as the positive and negatives of being a sibling.

Book IdentificationEditor: Donald MeyerISBN #: 978-0-933149-98-4Genre: Non-Fiction/EssayLevel: P-YA

Say Hello To MeA Story About a Little Girl on the Autism Spectrum

Written from the first person perspective, this short story attempts to explain the why’s of some of the behaviors of a child on the autism spectrum for example sound sensitivity.

The way this text is written, encourages students to understand and act or respond appropriately.

There is an underlying theme of what it means to be a friend.

Book IdentificationAuthor: April Charisse; Illustrator: Susan ShorterISBN #: 978-1-4685-9475-1Genre: Realistic FictionLevel: P-I

Different Just Like Me

Through a little girl’s day, she notices how many people are different from her but do many of the same things she does. Some are different due to a disability, others are different due to age or race.

In the end, she notices that it is the difference in people, like that in flowers, that makes the world more beautiful.

A simple story to illustrate that being different is what makes nature beautiful.

Book IdentificationAuthor/Illustrator: Lori MitchellISBN #: 978-0-88106-975-4Genre: Picture BookLevel: P-I

Everybody is Different

Although written as an informational book for siblings of children with autism, this text answers many questions that the friends and classmates have as well.

The simple question and answer format makes it more easily accessible to readers who want or need to know more about autism.

Book IdentificationAuthor/Illustrator: Fiona BleachISBN #: 1-931282-06-4Genre: Non-fiction/InformationLevel: I-M

Last to Finish: A story about the Smartest Boy in Math Class

This is a story about a very intelligent child that struggles with timed tests. Through this narrative, readers come to understand that not being able to do something does not mean you are not smart. In this story it is quite the opposite as this child turns out to be gifted.

As part of the Mainstream Connections Children’s Book Series, this text helps children to learn about overcoming obstacles in order to succeed.

Book IdentificationAuthor: Barbara Esham; Illustrator: Mike and Carl GordonISBN #: 978-1-60336-456-0Genre: Picture BookLevel: P-I

Disabled FablesAesop’s Fables Retold and illustrated by artists with developmental disabilities

Such a great idea, these are stories rewritten and illustrated by individuals who are developmentally disabled.

A great twist on the traditional fables and a cool way to connect a literature compare/contrast lesson on fables with a lesson on valuing differences.

Each fable is followed by a short essay about how the author applies the message in his/her daily life.

Book IdentificationPublisher: Star Bright BooksISBN #: 978-1-932065-97-8Genre: FableLevel: I-M-YA

Heartsongs

A collection of poems written by a young boy who suffered from a rare form of muscular dystrophy.

In his young life, he published 7 books that became NY Times best sellers.

His poetry and life legacy promotes peace.He is an example of living life to the fullest within

the confines of a disability.

Book IdentificationAuthor: Mattie J.T. StepanekISBN #: 0-7868-6947-XGenre: poetryLevel: P, I, M, YA

I am Potential

Written by a man born with a rare genetic disorder and his father, this self-help book promotes ways to live, love and reach your dreams.

The reader is able to hear both voices of Patrick Hughes and his father.

Each lesson is written in both narrative story and reflection (or instruction) on the life lesson.

Book IdentificationAuthor: Patrick Henry Hughes ISBN #: 978-0-7382-1365-1Genre: Non-Fiction/Self HelpLevel: M-YA

Web ResourcesMore Places to Look and Learn About Acceptance

http://www.mattieonline.com/ The Mattie J. T. Stepanek Foundation

http://theadventuresofeverydaygeniuses.com/ Mainstream Connections website

http://www.glsen.org/nonamecallingweek “We believe in celebrating kindness while working to create safe schools free of name-calling, bullying and bias.”

http://www.autismspeaks.org/ http://www.nami.org/ National Association for

Mental Illness