http://www.EDUG573Fall2011 discussion

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A Letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats

This book is about a boy who writes invitations to a birthday party, and decides to write one to a girl. He worries that he will be made fun of by his friends for inviting a girl to his party.

Not only could this book be used as a social story to illustrate acceptance between a boy and his friends, it could also be used as a springboard to a writing activity. Students could write an invitation to their own birthday party or discuss the difference between a letter and an invitation.

The Trip by Ezra Jack Keats

This book is about a child who moves to a new town and school. He desparately misses his friends at his old school, but eventually finds his place and friends in his new home/school. He builds a diarama of his old home to remind him of where he once lived.

This book could be used to show students how to build a diarama. It could also be used as a social story for a new student in your classroom to help them understand that anxiety or sadness about moving is perfectly normal. It could also serve as a discussion starter to help other students in the class welcome a new student.