Reading for Life Part 5 - Books that Promote Social Competencies

1. Miss Nelson is Missing!, by Harry Allard.
When the children in Room 207 continued to misbehave Miss Nelson suddenly disappeared. Replaced by an awful substitute teacher, Viola Swamp, the children discovered a new appreciation for their missing teacher. When Miss Nelson returned to school, she found a class of kind and respectful students.
• Is it hard to learn when people are using unkind words and actions? How can you improve your manners at home and school?

2. Mole Music, by David McPhail.
When Mole was watching television, he heard a man playing the most beautiful music on a violin. Deciding that he, too, wanted to learn how to play, he ordered a violin and practiced every night. He learned to make beautiful music.
• What kinds of music do you like best? Do you think you could learn to play an instrument like Mole did?
• Have you ever practiced anything as hard as Mole did?

3. Morris Goes to School by B. Wiseman.
Morris the mouse can’t read or count. With the help of the candy man, Morris goes to school and begins a whole new adventure in learning.
• Can you say you’re A-B-C’s? Count to ten?
• What have you learned in school?

4. Countdown to Kindergarten by Alison McGhee.
An almost kindergartener is in a frantic! School is about to start and she doesn’t know how to tie her shoes. Laugh and cry with her as she faces her fears and discovers school may not be all that bad.
• Have you ever felt worried like the girl in the book?
• Have you ever had trouble learning to do something? How did you finally learn? Who helped you?

5. What Teachers Can’t Do by Douglas Wood.
There are SO many things that teachers can’t do like ride scooters to school or be late. And they always seem to need help with things around the classroom . . . cleaning boards, spelling “c-a-t” and answering “2+2=4.” Teachers need students and do what they can to make them feel welcome and a part of school.
• Do you know someone who makes you feel special or needed? What do they need you to do?
• Do you think learning can be fun? How?

6. Hog Eye, by Susan Meddaugh.
A little pig got on the wrong school bus, and rode to the wrong side of town. When she tried to cut through the forest en route home, a wolf snatched her for his soup. Discovering his inability to read, the piggy tricked him with her own recipe, and escaped.
• What rules have your parent’s set for you to follow? Why is it important to follow their rules, even if you don’t like them?
• Why is it important to read? How can it help you?