If I used this scene for a contrast, I would ask 'Why is the character doing that?' Perhaps this scene could also be a Contrast and Contradiction, as before Chloe had nothing positive to say to Maya, but now her throat is filled. We can help our students notice and note by asking ' why is this memory important?' For older students with experience studying characters, I would probably ask what it reveals about Chloe. We can help our students by asking 'how might this change things?' This could also be a Tough Question, as we might assume the teacher asked 'what kindness can you share with us?'Ĥ.) Memory Moment - When Chloe is alone, her 'throat filled with all the things I wished I would have said to Maya,' one can view this as a memory. Her words 'Each kindness.each little thing we do goes out, like a ripple, into the world.' We can help students by asking 'what is the lesson here?'ģ.) Aha! Moment - When the teacher asks the kids to drop a stone and tell her kind things they had done, Chloe can't think of anything. Chloe bullies Maya by excluding her from the friendship of the group.Ģ.) Words of the Wiser - In this case, the teacher is the wiser. Chloe isn't awful to Maya, but she is unkind. Falker, the book focuses on the bully, not the bullied. And also unique in that unlike books like Thank You, Mr.

It's a unique book about a more silent form of bullying. Using the image of a rock in the middle of a pond surrounded by ripples, the teacher says 'each little thing we do goes out, like a ripple, into the world.' The final half of the book follows Chloe as she grapples with her behavior and lack of kindness. Soon after, Maya's family moves away and Chloe's teacher discusses kindness with the class. This pattern of avoiding Maya's attempts at friendship replays itself through the first half of the book until Maya finally gives up. When Maya sits and smiles at Chloe, Chloe avoids her and moves away. Her clothes look old and her shoes are for the wrong season. It's obvious that Maya comes from a less fortunate family.

In the book, a new girl named Maya appears in class. This book, obviously about kindness, is also about thinking about the choices we make and how they make other people feel. Her picture books are gorgeous and teach important lessons.

She is the author of Brown Girl Dreaming and The Other Side. Tough Questions – When the character asks themselves a tough question, think about what the tough questions makes you wonder.One of the books I plan to share with my classes is Each Kindess by Jacqueline Woodson. Memory Moment – When the action is interrupted and the author tells you about a memory, ask yourself why the memory might be important. Words of the Wiser – When an older or wiser character gives the main character advice, ask yourself what the lesson might be or how it will affect the character’s life.Īha! Moment – When a character suddenly figures something out or understands something, ask yourself how that moment might change things.Īgain and Again – When something is repeated in a book, ask yourself why the author thought it was important enough to repeat. Contrasts and Contradictions – When the character does something different from what you would expect, ask yourself why the character is doing that.

Notice and note aha moment texts