I Wish for Change: Unleashing the Power of Kids to Make a Difference

by Kyle Schwartz

From the author of I Wish My Teacher Knew, how grownups can empower children to stand up for what they believe in

Third-grade teacher Kyle Schwartz often tells her students: "You are not here so you can make money in a decade. You are here so you can make a difference now."

Young people are up for the task. In the face of school shootings, cyber bullying, and other challenges students face at school, there are students who are changing the world right now.

In I Wish for Change, teacher and author Kyle Schwartz equips both teachers and parents to help children stand up for what they believe is right and make value-driven decisions. She shows how children's adaptability, vulnerability, and empathy make them excellent agents for change, as well as how to teach children about the mechanics and structures of power so they can effectively change them.

Filled with inspiring stories from Kyle's students and educators around the nation, as well as practical, replicable strategies for the classroom, I Wish for Change is the guide for every teacher, educator, and parent to show kids that their voice matters.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Parenting

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2019

Reviews

[Monday · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first year as a teacher, and one of my classes sometimes makes me question why I began teaching. After a particularly difficult day, I popped in this audiobook, and it immediately renewed my hope. Not only are there are some really good and heartwarming stories from teachers and students, but it gave me multiple things to think on when it comes to how I handle my classroom. The only downside of this is that the audiobook was separated in a very inconvenient way.

[Bradyn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for class. lots of good quotes and ideas and tips

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

W O W. If you are a teacher, are going to be a teacher, are a parent, or care for children in any capacity, physically or mentally, you NEED to read this book. As an almost-teacher who wants nothing more than to inspire her future students and encourage them to make difference, this book is everything I could have asked for and more. Children can change the future, and they will, but only if we help them along the way. 💛

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I work as an aide at a middle school and know how important it is to get to know my students. The author's idea of having them write "I wish my teacher knew ___________" was brilliant. Thankfully she wrote this book so that others can see the importance of understanding the differences in the classroom. I highly recommend this!

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful and inspiring. There were many good ideas that I will try with my own students.

[Isabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful.
Sad.
Hopeful.
Heartbreaking.
Uplifting.

All words to describe this book and I don’t think any summary I would write could do it any other justice.

[Numberbox]

Read through “I wish for …” quotes from children/youth. Worth re-reading more thoroughly for insights from the author. References to levels of engagement (p.146). Stopped at p.22.