Recognizing differences

This week our topic in Open Circle was recognizing differences. We learned that there are both inside and outside difference in people.  We all are a people package.  Everyone else can see the outside wrapping (hair color, height) but there is also everything else on the inside that you can't know by looking at them (interests, skills, feelings, talents).  To find out what a person is really like, you have to get to know them.

 We went around the circle and kids said "Something about me that you can't see is ______"

Today, our read-aloud was How to Make Friends with a Giant. Ask your child about Jacomo and Jake. 

At home, have a conversation with your child about the differences in people that we can see and cannot see by just looking at them. What are some things that people wouldn’t know about you by merely looking at you? Talk about some ways your child can get to know other people in school.

Literature Connections

Here are some books that relate to the topics we discussed in Open Circle.

Lionni, Leo. Frederick. Dragonfly, 1973.
Frederick isn’t like other mice. Instead of working to prepare for Winter, he likes to write poetry. Others are grateful for his talent when Winter comes and Frederick shares his poems about Spring.

Rotner, Shelley. Shades of People. Holiday House, 2009.
A diverse group of children celebrate the fact that, “Our skin is just our covering, like wrapping paper. And, you can’t tell what someone is like from the color of their skin.”