“Hope and peace and love and trust
All the world is all of us.”
All the World by Scanlon, Elizabeth Garton - Beach Lane Books, p2009,
c2009--811--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 1.8. Follows a group of family members and friends through the course of a
day as they learn the importance of all things great and small. Twenty eight pages of lyrical, poetic language, tapping cultural universals of family, food, leisure, love, and peace. Richly illustrated with black Prismacolor pencil and watercolors. Caldecott Honor 2010
Note: The lesson for Grades 5-8 became the foundation for an article that appeared in the now defunct LibrarySparks in January 2016. The article is reprinted in the My Books Alive blog under the label “Wisdom Books.”
Rationale: I’ve chosen to use the Inspiration Book to spin-off abstract concepts of peace, hope, love and trust. The lessons work well at the beginning of the year to establish a library climate and
behavior expectations for the year. In Grades K-3, the discussion will center on the book itself and visual literacy. In fact, the Teacher Guide prepared for the book by Scanlan and Natalie Dias Lorenzi www.nataliediaslorenzi.com is so detailed that the teacher could continue the investigation of the book as part of a guided reading experience. Ideas for older students could also form the basis for lessons in December. Grades 3-6 will explore the ideas of peace, hope, trust, and love by creating a class bulletin board. Grades 5-8 will be introduced to “wisdom books’ and the use of picture books, poetry, and short stories to examine peace, hope, love, and trust. Check out Library Sparks, August/September 2010 (now OP). The whole issue is about peace.
Grades K-3--My World
Preparation: Scan pictures from the book: children in the tree, farmer’s market, community garden, singing around piano, playing on the beach
Computer with Internet access and projection capability. White/chalkboard or chart paper and appropriate markers.
Review use of wordle.net
Arrange for a teacher, aide or parent to input most of the words from the list generated in discussion into wordle.net while you continue with the lesson.
Select songs from All Things Bright and Beautiful CD.
CD player.
Introduction: Use one word to tell me about the world you live in. Listen carefully to what others say because we want as many words as there are boys and girls in the class. (Write on chart orwhite/chalkboard.) Our book of the day is about the world. We’re going to read the whole book first, then take a closer look at a few of the pictures.
Read aloud:
All the world by Scanlon, Elizabeth Garton - Beach Lane Books, p2009,
c2009--811--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 1.8. Follows a group of family members and friends through the course of a
day as they learn the importance of all things great and small. Twenty eight pages of lyrical, poetic language, tapping cultural universals of family, food, leisure, love, and peace. Richly illustrated with black Prismacolor pencil and watercolors. Caldecott Honor 2010
Do you want to add any words to our list? (Add if needed.)
Let’s look at one of the pictures more carefully. (Project children in the tree image that you scanned earlier.) The text reads, “ All the world is old and new”. What do you think that means? How does the illustrator show the ideas of old and new? Are there words we could add to our list?
The picture of the farmer’s market is full of details. (Project the market scanned picture.) Find all the ways the people get to the market: a baby stroller, a tricycle, a motorcycle, a van and a pick uptruck. Next, find a dog, a surfboard, a baby riding piggyback, a manhoeing, a farmer and a bicycle built for two. How does this picture make you feel? Should we add any more words to our list?
Are therepictures and ideas in this book that remind you of your community? (Show the scanned community garden.) Are there pictures and ideas in
this book that remind you of your community? (Show the picture offamily and friends singing around a piano.) Are there pictures and ideas in this book that remind you of your community? (Show the picture of the children playing on the beach.) Are there other words to add to our list?
(At this point have the adult you selected, input the word list students generated into wordle.net)
This book’s title is All the World. If you could give this book a title based on your own community, what would that title be?
We’ll come back to the Inspiration Book at the end of our lesson.Another picture book about our world, about the creation of the world is our next book.
Read aloud:
All things bright and beautiful : all creatures great and small by -Thomas Nelson, p2008, c2008--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 3.2 On textured and lift-the-flap board pages. Simple text and colorful photographs celebrate God's creations, from animals, to plants, to humans. Includes an audio CD with ten songs. OP
This book also comes with a CD. I’ve chosen a few songs to listen to. To which part of the book does the song fit? (Play and listen based on time needed for helper to input words and create a word cloud.
The publisher of the book made a book trailer to advertise All the World.
(View) Book Trailer
Do you think they did a good job? Why or why not?
Lelt’s look at the picture the words we chose about the world made in a special computer program called wordle. After reading the Inspiration Book and All Things Bright and Beautiful, does out word picture tell the story of the world?
Extension for older students: Each student makes a list of at least 15 words describing their appearance. Students input words into wodle.net , make a word cloud, and guess each other’s cloud.
Teacher Resources:
Teacher Guide (very complete guide suitable for guided reading instruction) http://www.lizgartonscanlon.com/All-the-World.html
Library Sparks, August/September 2010 (now OP)
Lesson Plan from Weston Woods https://westonwoods.scholastic.com/products/westonwoods/study_guides/All-the-World-SG.pdf
Author Book Reading and backstory https://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=10721
Book Trailer on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us_950egH0E
Grades 3-6--Love, Peace, Trust, Hope
Background: The ideas, questions, and some activities for this lesson about love, peace, trust, and hope are all based on the Teacher Guide prepared by Scanlon and Lorenzi. In fact, even some of the wording is
the same. Interspersed are selected picture books from the general bibliography found at the end of this entire series of lessons based on the Inspiration Book. You could stretch these lessons out for four weeks emphasizing one idea each week.
Preparation: Chart or chalk/whiteboard with appropriate markers.
Selection of relaxing music from CDs. (Ask music teacher for ideas.) CD player
Gather pillows and rugs from reading areas of classrooms.
Choose poems to share about peace.
Place unlined paper, pencils, and markers at work tables.
Prepare bulletin board--cover background, post large map or globe shape, cut and attach letters: “All the World is All of Us” ~ Liz Garton Scanlon
Make copies of an 11 inch outline person with outstretched arms. Crayons or markers, and pencils.
Introduction: What are hope, peace, love and trust? Sometimes it’s hard to describe an idea like hope, peace, love and trust. We’re going to think about each of those ideas, read a book that represents the
idea and finally make a project bulletin board.
Hope: What is hope? (Children may associate hope with things theywant, like a special birthday gift, or a place they’d like to visit ([such as an amusement park]). Encourage them to think of something they hope for someone else.
Read aloud:
Ballerina dreams : a true story by Thompson, Lauren - Feiwel and Friends, p2007, c2007--618.92--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.7. Presents the true story of how five little girls who suffer from cerebral palsy had their dreams come true by becoming ballerinas.
OR
Always with you by Vander Zee, Ruth - Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, p2008, c2008--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.8 Orphaned at the age of four when her village in Vietnam is bombed, Kim is rescued by soldiers and raised in an orphanage, always finding comfort in her mothers last words--"Don't be afraid. I will always be with you."
Peace: What is peace? (Many young children may equate “peace” with “no fighting.” ) Let’s make a list of ways students and teachers can keep peace on the playground. (Write on chart or chalk/whiteboard.) Peace
can also mean “relaxing.” I have some music to listen to and some soft pillows to create a peaceful environment in the library. I’ll dim the lights. (Take 3-5 minutes for students to relax. How did you feel
while we relaxed? (Elicit responses.)
Read aloud selections from
Peaceful pieces : poems and quilts about peace by Hines, Anna Grossnickle - Henry Holt, p2011, c2011--811--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 3.3. A collection of poems that explores different forms of peace,
illustrated with handmade quilts.
Love: We’re going to the tables next where I’ve placed paper, pencils,
and markers. Listen carefully to the directions or you may place information in the wrong spot.
First make a list of people you love.
Fold the paper in half hamburger style. On one half, not on the side you have listed people you love, draw or write ways that you show love for others (giving kisses, sharing their toys, etc.). Label that half “Love for Others.”
On the other half, draw or write how you know you are loved by those on your list on the backside of the paper. (when Mom plays a game with them, when Brother reads to them, etc). Label this half “Love from
Others.”
Read aloud:
Kitchen dance by Manning, Maurie - Clarion Books, p2008, c2008--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.6. Two sleepy children sneak out of their beds to watch as their parents, who love each other very much, break into a dance while washing the dishes.
Trust: How do you know you can trust me, the teacher librarian. I needa volunteer to “catch”. Ms Volunteer, close your eyes (or wear a blindfold, if she’s extra brave!). I’m going to stand so that I face Ms Volunteer’s back, about two feet away. Ms. Volunteer, will raise her arms out to your sides. When I count to three, fall back without moving your feet. One, two, three. How did you feel? Being honest, is also being trustworthy.
Read aloud:
Abe's honest words : the life of Abraham Lincoln by Rappaport, Doreen - Hyperion Books for Children, p2008, c2008--973.7--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 4.5An illustrated biography of Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States and the man responsible for seeing the country through the Civil War.
Culminating Project: Make a display by placing a large cut-out of Earth on a bulletin board with the title: “All the World is All of Us” ~ Liz Garton Scanlon
Give each child a cut-out shaped like a boy or girl, and have them decorate the faces and clothing to look like themselves. Across the open arms, have students write, illustrate or dictate one of the following (which may apply to other people, the world as a community, or the Earth as an ecosystem):
♥ one hope I have
♥ one way to make peace
♥ one way to show love
♥ one way to be trustworthy
Display the children’s cut-outs of themselves around the edge of the Earth on the bulletin board.
Teacher Resources:
Teacher Guide (very complete guide suitable for guided reading instruction) http://lizgartonscanlon.com/teachers-guides/
Author illustrator interview
Library Sparks, August/September 2010 (Now OP, but available via fellow librarians or school archive.)
Grades 5-8--Wisdom Books
Note: The lesson for Grades 5-8 became the foundation for an article that appeared in the now defunct LibrarySparks in January 2016. The article is reprinted in the My Books Alive blog under the label “Wisdom Books.”
Background: Every year the oldest students, whether they are the fifth graders or the eighth graders, and I create a project from picture books: a quilt, PhotoStory Video, Slide Show, Digital Photo display, etc. toshare the wisdom of picture books. We call the picture books our wisdom books. During the year I read a picture book every week or other week to the group.
The first step is selecting the books for the year. Picture books are chosen for literary quality, illustrations, message, and uniqueness. Students are also reminded that picture books are for every age. Another choice might be a short story collection based on a theme, thus the project becomes a themed project: peace, war, bullying, etc. if the school has a topic of the year. I try to select from the newer books the library has received, thus varying the content of the presentations each year and always making the presentations new. I like to have a good number of books selected before the year begins, but I feel free to make changes during the year as new books arrive or issues of importance occur within the school, community, or world.
Next, I organize the order of presentation of the books, always allowing for flexibility. Sometimes I group similar books to be shared during one month, another topic another month; sometimes I group by illustration; sometimes by author or illustrator. Your choice is infinite.
It’s time to start reading to the class. We talk about the kernals of wisdom in the picture book, the students write their personal thoughts plus the bibliographic information for the book in a Steno book journal we keep.
The last quarter or month of the year each student puts together hispersonal wisdom book. We share the results at the spring fine arts festival, graduation, or end of the year assembly.
The project could also be a spiraling sequential project for each of the upper grades from 5th through 8th. For example, in 5th grade the wisdom books could be about American history, and a few new titles
each year. Sixth grade books could be about ancient and European history or folktales from around the world. Seventh grade could feature books about assorted sciences, especially the new picture books from NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books. Eighth could continuethe process I’ve established above. Thus the project also becomes a curricular project.
Another way to use the project each year in grades 5-8 is to vary the project, not the books. Students in Grade 5 could do a slide show using a combination of hand drawn slides or PowerPoint slidesinserting appropriate pictures summarizing the book. Grade 6 could do some digital photography for each book and insert into a slide show. This approach will work best if each student does his slide the week the book is read.
Grade 7 could do a quilt, each student specializing in one of the books, selecting a descriptive word for that book and creating a graphic design. The art teacher could become part of the production team and another adult could do the sewing. Grade 8 could do a video using PhotoStory or assorted digital videos from cameras or cell phones and a movie editor your school has available. Each would select different wisdom books to create part of a larger presentation. If each student does only one book near the end of the year, the comments they wrote in their journals will help them remember the books. Also have copies of the books available for review browsing.
Begin the whole Wisdom Book idea by reading and discussing the Inspiration Book:
All the world by Scanlon, Elizabeth Garton - Beach Lane Books, p2009,
c2009--811--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 1.8 Follows a group of family members and friends through the course of a
day as they learn the importance of all things great and small. Twenty eight pages of lyrical, poetic language, tapping cultural universals of family, food, leisure, love, and peace. Richly illustrated with
black Prismacolor pencil and watercolors. Caldecott Honor 2010
Short Stories and Poems to Include Based on Hope, Love, Peace, and Trust:
LOVE
Wolfie the bunny (Wolfie) by Dyckman, Ame — Little, Brown and Company, 2015. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.5. Families of all kinds will delight in this sweet tale of new babies, sibling rivalry, bravery, unconditional love...and veggies!
A world of prayers by - Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, p2006, c2004--204--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 1.6. An illustrated collection of prayers from around the world.
Baby face : a book of love for baby by Rylant, Cynthia - Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, p2008, c2008--811--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 1.6. Illustrations and rhyming text describe the many adventures a baby
might have during the course of its day.
Motherbridge of love by - Barefoot Books, p2007, c2007--895.1--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 1.8. Lyrical text accompanied by vivid illustrations explains to an adopted daughter how the love of her anonymous birth mother and the woman raising her combine to shape who she is.
The bad mood and the stick by Snicket, Lemony — Little, Brown and Company, 2017. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.2. Curly's bad mood travels from person to person, unexpectedly leaving opportunities for forgiveness, laughter, and love in its wake.
Kitchen dance by Manning, Maurie - Clarion Books, p2008, c2008--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.6. Two sleepy children sneak out of their beds to watch as their parents, who love each other very much, break into a dance while washing the dishes.
All kinds of kisses by Tafuri, Nancy — Little, Brown, 2012. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.7. Each barnyard animal has its favorite kind of kiss, but the best of all is a mother's goodnight kiss.
Brothers & sisters : family poems by Greenfield, Eloise - Amistad, p2009, c2009--811--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.7 A collection of illustrated poetry by Eloise Greenfield that describes the relationship shared by brothers and sisters, and other family-related topics.
Always with you by Vander Zee, Ruth - Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, p2008, c2008--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.8. Orphaned at the age of four when her village in Vietnam is bombed, Kim is rescued by soldiers and raised in an orphanage, always finding comfort in her mothers last words--"Don't be afraid. I will always be with you."
Gaston by DiPucchio, Kelly — Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2014. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.8. A bulldog and a poodle learn that family is about love, not appearances in this adorable doggy tale from New York Timesbestselling author Kelly DiPucchio and illustrator Christian Robinson.
Grandpa Green by Smith, Lane — Roaring Brook Press, 2011. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.9. From the creator of the national bestsellerIt's a Book comes a Caldecott Honor-winning timeless story of family history, legacy, and love.
Some kind of love : a family reunion in poems by Dant, Traci - Marshall Cavendish Children, p2010, c2010--811--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.9. A collection of poems that chronicle an African-American family's reunion.
The blessing cup by Polacco, Patricia — Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2013. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.9. A bond of love unites a family throughout generations in this companion to the beloved and bestselling classic The Keeping Quilt.
Up home by Grant, Shauntay - Nimbus Pub., p2008, c2008--811--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 4.2. Through colorful illustrations and verse, the author recalls her happy childhood in Preston, Nova Scotia, a black community where landscape, history, and people come together.
PEACE
As good as anybody : Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel's amazing march towards freedom by Michelson, Richard - Alfred A. Knopf, p2008, c2008--323--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 3.2. Describes the experiences that influenced Martin Luther King, Jr., and Abraham Joshua Heschels's civil rights activism and discusses the friendship between the two men.
Each kindness by Woodson, Jacqueline — Nancy Paulsen Books, 2012. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.1. When Ms. Albert teaches a lesson on kindness, Chloe realizes that she and her friends have been wrong in making fun of new student Maya's shabby clothes and refusing to play with her.
Peaceful pieces : poems and quilts about peace by Hines, Anna Grossnickle - Henry Holt, p2011, c2011--811--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 3.3. A collection of poems that explores different forms of peace, illustrated with handmade quilts.
Amazing peace : a Christmas poem by Angelou, Maya - Schwartz & Wade Books, p2008, c2005--811--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 3.8. Presents an illustrated version of the Christmas poem originally read by Maya Angelou at the 2005 White House tree-lighting ceremony in Washington D.C. Includes an audio recording of the poem.
Afghan dreams : young voices of Afghanistan by O'Brien, Tony, 1971- -Bloomsbury Children's Books, p2008, c2008--305.235--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 6.5. Presents stories of young people in Afghanistan, including street workers, students, and pickpockets, who long for peace in their neighborhoods.
HOPE
A world of prayers by - Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, p2006,c2004--204--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 1.6
An illustrated collection of prayers from around the world.
How to heal a broken wing by Graham, Bob — Candlewick Press, 2008. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.1. In a spare urban fable, Bob Graham brings us one small boy, one loving family, and one miraculous story of hope and healing.
Ballerina dreams : a true story by Thompson, Lauren - Feiwel and Friends, p2007, c2007--618.92--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.7 Presents the true story of how five little girls who suffer from cerebral palsy had their dreams come true by becoming ballerinas.
Always with you by Vander Zee, Ruth - Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, p2008, c2008--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 2.8. Orphaned at the age of four when her village in Vietnam is bombed, Kim is rescued by soldiers and raised in an orphanage, always finding comfort in her mothers last words--"Don't be afraid. I will always be with you."
Night boat to freedom by Raven, Margot Theis - Farrar, Straus and Giroux, p2006, c2006--E--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 3.7 At the request of his fellow slave Granny Judith, Christmas John risks his life to take runaways across a river from Kentucky to Ohio. Based on slave narratives recorded in the 1930s.
Mother poems by Smith, Hope Anita - Henry Holt, p2009, c2009--811--Int. Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 4.8 .A collection of poems in which a daughter reflects on the death of her beloved mother.
Maya Angelou by Angelou, Maya - Sterling, p2007, c2007--811--Int Lvl:. 5-8--Rd Lvl: 6.4
Collects and illustrates twenty-five poems by African-American author Maya Angelou, including "Me and My Work," "Still I Rise," and "A Brave and Startling Truth," and includes poem introductions and notes.
TRUST
Wolf in the snow by Cordell, Matthew— Feiwel and Friends, 2017. Dewey: -E-; Int Lvl: K-3. Paintings rich with feeling tell this satisfying story of friendship and trust. Here is a book set on a wintry night that will spark imaginations and warm hearts. Caldecott Medal 2018.
Honesty by Pryor, Kimberley Jane - Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, p2009, c2008--179--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 3.4. Values -- Honesty -- Honest people -- Being honest with family --Being honest with friends -- Being honest with neighbors -- Ways to be honest -- Telling the truth -- Not stealing -- Not cheating -- Being fair -- Being trustworthy -- Being reliable -- Personal set of values. Photographs and simple text tell young readers about six ways to be honest with family, friends, and neighbors.
Abe's honest words : the life of Abraham Lincoln by Rappaport, Doreen- Hyperion Books for Children, p2008, c2008--973.7--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd. Lvl: 4.5. An illustrated biography of Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States and the man responsible for seeing the country through the Civil War.
