Pernille Ripp's Blog, page 3

Embracing Change: Helping Students Break Free from the Self-Consistency Fallacy

I never thought I would step out of the classroom as a teacher. There was no vision of my future that didn’t have me being a teacher, yet taking a break from physically teaching and working in marketing as a brand writer has been an incredible experience. Not only am I now 100% certain that I want to get back in the classroom, but I have also gotten to test so many of the writing strategies I have taught students throughout the years, expanded my own knowledge of the corporate tech world, and had to push myself way beyond my comfort zone. Starting over in a career at 42 is not for the fainthearted.

But this was something I would have never done had it not been for how awful I felt last school year. I needed to become something else in order to preserve what I was.

But still, seeing ourselves through the many roles we play means we often get stuck in the self-consistency fallacy – the belief that our past choices and behaviors must dictate our future. Just as watching the same play with the same actors repeating the same lines would grow tiresome, sticking rigidly to who we think we are can hinder personal and academic growth. 

And so it made me think, of course, about the very kids in our care who only see themselves as one thing – a kid who doesn’t read, someone who is bad a math, someone where school doesn’t work. But they can be so much more. As educators, we know it is vital to help students realize that they have the power to change not only their academic trajectory but also their identities and passions. And we tell kids this all the time, often to very deaf ears. After all, it is easy to tell someone that they can be whoever they want to be, but often we have no way of knowing how to change.This is where teaching them about the self-consistency fallacy can help.

The self-consistency fallacy, also known as the continuation bias, path dependence, or battle against determinism, exerts a powerful influence on our lives. It often compels us to make choices based on our past roles and interests, even when our desires and aspirations have evolved. Similarly, it can limit our relationships, health choices, and overall life direction. However, it is essential to recognize that we are not bound by our past decisions and beliefs. We are dynamic beings capable of change and growth—a verb, not a noun according to Anne-Laure Le Cunff, who recently wrote about the self-consistency fallacy which started all of my thoughts. 

To help students overcome the self-consistency fallacy, we must foster an environment that encourages reflection and expansion. By posing questions, we can challenge students to let go of preconceived expectations and explore new horizons.

This also ties beautifully in with the identity work we can have students do throughout the year. A great place to start is by taking students through some or all of these questions starting with who they are now, how people see them, and how they would like to be seen. Of course, these can be modified to fit the age group you teach.

What are some of your strengths and talents that you value about yourself?How do your friends and family describe you? Do you agree with their perceptions of you?Are there any aspects of yourself that you would like to change or improve? Why?How do you think others perceive your interests and passions? Is there anything you want to explore further?Are there any activities or hobbies you’ve been hesitant to try because of how others might see you? Why?How do you express your true self in different environments, such as at school, with friends, or at home?Do you feel comfortable expressing your thoughts and opinions openly? Why or why not?Are there any societal or cultural expectations that have influenced how you present yourself to others?Imagine the ideal version of yourself. How would you describe this person? What traits or qualities would they possess?What steps can you take to align your current self with the person you aspire to become?Are there opportunities that you have dismissed because they don’t align with your existing trajectory?What new paths could you explore if you were not bound by your past choices?If you could start from a blank slate, who would you be? What would you be interested in? How would you be known?

Asking students to consider how they are seen and whether they agree with that opinion is an important place to inspire change. Is how they are known who they want to be? Are there other parts of themselves they would like the world to know about? Are there parts they would like to not be known for?

It is crucial for students to understand that the most significant opportunities for learning and growth often emerge from unexpected tangents. Encourage students to embrace the “weird” projects that pique their curiosity, explore fun ideas that may not have apparent professional benefits, and engage in collaborations unrelated to their career aspirations. Encourage them to break free of the stereotypes that often confine them.

By venturing beyond their comfort zones, students can cultivate a diverse range of experiences that will shape their unique stories. But even more importantly, they can change their static notions of who they are.

As educators, we have the privilege of guiding students along their educational journeys. By addressing the self-consistency fallacy, we can help students realize that they possess the agency to shape their academic and personal trajectories. By encouraging reflection, asking thought-provoking questions, and embracing change, we can inspire students to explore their true passions, foster growth, and build the foundation for a fulfilling future. 

PS: Are you looking for coaching, in-person support, or virtual presentations? I am available and would love to support your work. Whereas I am physically located in Denmark now, I can travel if needed. In fact, I was just in North America in February 2023 and plan on bouncing back and forth.  If you would like me to be a part of your professional development, please reach out. I am here to help. For a lot more posts, resources, live and recorded professional development, please join my Patreon community where most of my sharing takes place these days.

Pre-order Passionate Learners 3rd Edition now!

8 years ago the 2nd edition of Passionate Learners: How to Engage and Empower Your Students was released into the world.

I saw it make a difference to those who read it, educators reaching out to ask further questions, to tell me that they loved the practicality of the book, that it gave them the courage and the path to co-create spaces with students.

I wrote the book, never thinking there would be another edition because surely I had said everything I wanted to say. I had given my best advice.

But then the world changed, and I changed right along with it.

In 2015, I could never have imagined how our educational system would change in just 8 years. I could never have imagined the way our students would need us even more, how the system would give us even less, and how we would fight to maintain even a shred of respect in our profession. How a global pandemic would push us to our furthest limit and then still continue to demand more.

I could never have imagined the world I teach in now.

And so when my incredible editor, Lauren Davis, asked me if I would consider updating it, I first laughed at the idea. Why would it need to be updated?

But still, I returned to the words from 2015 to feel it out. Turns out, Pernille in 2015 had great ideas, and some not so fully developed. The teacher I was now, was so much more. That in the years between the book and now, the lessons I had learned had been hardwon but so important.

And so I wrote through the book, seeing if anything really needed to be updated. A year later, I handed in a manuscript that was so much more than that. A book that was rewritten in its entirety, with additional new focuses and units. With an additional 42 pages, with more answers and ideas than before.

I wanted to create an edition that would matter as much as the previous one. A book that continues my journey as a teacher, that admits the mistakes, shares the ideas, and hopefully gives tangible pathways to co-created spaces with students. It is the best words that I have on a journey that continues.

And now, with less than two months to go, the book is ready for pre-order. If you order it through Routledge right now, you can get a 20% off discount using the code SMA34

If you read the first or second edition, I hope you will return to see how it all evolved. To find further answers. Or to share the book. If you haven’t read any edition, I welcome you into a classroom focused on centering students while not letting the system swallow you whole.

Why now?

I made myself answer why now, why bother, in the introduction, here is an excerpt…

And so, I wrote about what I know now, fourteen years into a career that has pushed me harder than anything else I have ever done. I wrote about the importance of co-creating spaces with our students that give them permission to show up the way they are. I wrote about what happens when you try to give up homework completely but can’t, or when those who are supposed to support you don’t.

I wrote with more nuance and experience than I had in the first edition, and I wrote with my husband Brandon, a new teacher himself, asking me the hardest questions about my practice.

I wrote so I could pull out all the cogs of the machine and try to present them to others so they may also change the way they teach. I wrote honestly and openly, because this journey is one I am still figuring out.

So whether you are just beginning or well on your way, I hope this book helps you along your journey toward a classroom filled with passionate learners. At the very least, it will let you know that you are not alone—that there really are better ways to teach and that there are others like you who believe the same thing.

I believed that there was one way to do school to kids. Now I know that school needs to change, and we must change it from within. Part of that change means including the voices of our students. School can no longer be done to our kids; school needs to be the place they cultivate and nourish who they see themselves as.

Here’s what I know: if I had not changed the way I taught and affected my students, I still would have been just fine. Just fine—not great, not inspiring, not life-touching, as we hope to be. A just fine teacher. But really, at the end of the day, who wants to be just fine? And don’t our children deserve so much more? Don’t we?

If you are a teacher reading this book, chances are, you’re thinking about change. But whether you need to change and what you need to change is entirely up to you. Here’s what I know: if I had not changed the way I taught and affected my students, I still would have been just fine. Just fine—not great, not inspiring, not life-touching, as we hope to be. A just fine teacher. But really, at the end of the day, who wants to be just fine? And don’t our children deserve so much more? Don’t we?

Pre-order it now, save 20%

If you would like to pre-order the book from the publisher, head to this link and use the code below – preorders through them open up on May 15th

If you are required to use Amazon, use this link

And if you are in the US and would like to support indie bookstores, please do!

What’s it about, really?

Well, my publisher said this about it:

Based on honest reflections on her own teaching experience, Pernille offers a wide variety of ideas for sharing control, developing your intuition, learning how to fail, giving yourself grace, building community and trust, creating more choice, allowing time for student expertise, and letting go of the punish, behave, and reward cycle so that intrinsic motivation can thrive. This fully enhanced new edition is chock full of additional strategies and tools on topics such as centering students’ identities, overcoming barriers when creating student-centered lessons to emphasize ownership of the learning cycle, shoring up your boundaries to manage your time and stop the intense prep work, changing your homework habits to reduce your load and give students more time, deemphasizing grades, and much more.

With Pernille’s heartfelt stories and practical strategies, you’ll feel inspired to give your classroom back to your students and foster a community of truly passionate learners!

And what did educators think of the 2nd edition?

80 reviews on Amazon and 4.5 star rating – can’t please everyone, especially when they get mad about the price, but I am so grateful for those who found it useful.

If you are in my Patreon…

Then you have a special opportunity to read it for free. So head over to that group, to see details on that.

Or join, to not only get a chance to possibly read it for free but also access all of my resources, specific book lists, mini-PD, coaching, support and anything else I can do.

PS: Are you looking for coaching, in-person support, or virtual presentations? I am available and would love to support your work. Whereas I am physically located in Denmark now, I can travel if needed. In fact, I was just in North America in February 2023 and plan on bouncing back and forth.  If you would like me to be a part of your professional development, please reach out. I am here to help. For a lot more posts, resources, live and recorded professional development, please join my Patreon community where most of my sharing takes place these days.

Great Picture Books to Teach Advice and Theme (Words of the Wiser from Notice and Note)

Posted from my Patreon community where I take requests for book lists to create, share resources, and offer up coaching for members. It is a very easy way for me to be accessible to people around the world, you can join here.

I am continuing with my updates of the picture book lists I made several years ago to accompany the teaching of a variety of reading skills. This time, the focus is on Words of the Wiser or that moment when a character, often older and/or wiser, gives the main character sage advice. This advice directly speaks to the theme, the conflicts of the story, as well as character changes.

When I first started out teaching this skill, I was inspired by the language of  Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading by Kylene Beers and Robert Probst.  This book provided my students with the foundation for deeper reading conversations and a common language as we developed our thoughts and discussion skills.

I have updated four other lists so far. Here are my updated lists for Symbols (Again and again), Internal Conflict (Tough Questions),  Character Change (Contrast & Contradictions), and for Flashbacks (Memory Moments).

So if you need to teach this critical reading skill, why not start with a picture book as a mentor text. Then you can offer up other picture books for students to see if they can discover it and then discuss the meaning.

Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina and illustrated by Angela Dominguez – Abuela advises Mia on the importance of communication, patience, and love while learning English.

The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros and illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte: Grandpa tells James that memories are like balloons that he carries with him.

The Most Beautiful Thing by Kao Kalia Yang and illustrated by Khoa Lee – The grandmother advises her granddaughter on the importance of family, memories, and finding beauty in everyday objects.

When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff and illustrated by Kaylani Juanita – Aidan’s mother advises him to be patient and loving towards his new sibling, and embrace his own identity and expression.

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld The rabbit advises Taylor to listen and be there for others when they are sad.

A Stone for Sascha by Aaron Becker – The old man advises Sascha to let go of her grief and see the beauty in the world.

The Couch Potato by Jory John and Pete Oswald – The wise old avocado encourages the couch potato to get up and try new things.

The Good Egg by Jory John and Pete Oswald – The wise old owl tells the good egg that it’s important to take care of yourself before taking care of others.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Erin E. Stead- The animals remind Amos of the importance of kindness and taking care of others.

Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o and illustrated by Vashti Harrison – Sulwe’s mother advises her to see her inner beauty.

A Different Pond by Bao Phi and illustrated by Thi Bui- The father advises his son on the importance of hard work and sacrifice, and shares memories of his homeland.

Freedom Soup by Tami Charles and illustrated by Jacqueline Alcantara – The grandmother advises her granddaughter on the history and cultural significance of their Haitian soup recipe.

Drawn Together by Minh Lê and illustrated by Dan Santat- The grandfather advises his grandson to use art to bridge their language and cultural barriers.

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Jen Hill- The teacher advises her student to always choose kindness towards others.

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora – Omu’s neighbors advise her to share her delicious stew with the community.

Jabari Jumps” by Gaia Cornwall – Jabari’s father advises him to conquer his fears with courage and determination.

A Bike Like Sergio’s by Maribeth Boelts and illustrated Noah Z. Jones – Ruben’s mother advises him to be grateful for what he has and to save up for a new bike.

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad and illustrated by Hatem Aly – Asiya’s mother advises her to be proud of her hijab.

Let the Children March” by Monica Clark-Robinson and illustrated by Frank Morrison – The parents advise their children to stand up for what is right.

The Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson – CJ’s grandmother advises him to see the beauty in the world around him.

My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero and illustrated by Zeke Peña – Daisy’s father advises her to remember her roots as they ride through their neighborhood.

The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne by Lesa Cline-Ransome and illustrated by John Parra – Ethel’s father advises her to use her voice to speak up for what is right.

Titles shared previously:

What Are your Words?  A Book About Pronouns by Katherine Locke and illustrated by Anne Passchier.  Ari’s uncle Lior gives some great advice when it comes to choosing his pronouns.

The Boy and the Giant by David Litchfield 

Grandpa gives Billy good advice when he professes he is scared of the giant.

Emmanuel’s Dream by Laurie Ann Thompson and Sean Qualls 

The aha moment is mixed in with words of the wiser from Emmanuel’s mother and is embedded into the story.  This is a good book to use when it may not be as obvious.

Great wisdom from the mother bat to the baby as he prepares to take off into the night in Ari Berk and Loren Long’s Nightsong.

Who says giraffes can’t dance?  Thankfully some wisdom is given in Giraffe’s Can’t Dance by Giles Andrede

Because what we know first will always help us in our lives, I love What You Know First by Patricia MacLachlan.

I have had a Peter H. Reynolds book on every list so far, I am pretty sure you can teach all 6 signposts using his books.  The North Star will always be one of my favorites. The Dot is another great one.

Ish also by Peter H. Reynolds also has great wisdom.

Many of Patricia Polacco’s books can be used for words of the wiser, here I chose Mr. Wayne’s Masterpiece.

Zero by Kathryn Otoshi is a picture book that can be used for many things, teaching words of the wiser is definitely one of them.

When the students wonder when they will finally get tall, this is a great book to pull out You’ll Grow Soon, Alex by Andrea Shavick and Russell Ayto has great wisdom.

Our Gracie Aunt by Jacqueline Woodson is the book I am using with my students to teach the strategy.  It is a beautiful story that will start discussion in our classroom for sure.  Each Kindness also by Woodson is another amazing example.  In fact, many of her books can be used for this strategy.

I love stories about following your dreams and Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen fits the mold.

The Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock is a beautiful reminder to follow your dreams.

I know there are so many more out there, please leave your favorites in the comments.

PS: Are you looking for coaching, in-person support, or virtual presentations? I am available and would love to support your work. Whereas I am physically located in Denmark now, I can travel if needed. In fact, I was just in North America in February 2023 and plan on bouncing back and forth.  If you would like me to be a part of your professional development, please reach out. I am here to help. For a lot more posts, resources, live and recorded professional development, please join my Patreon community where most of my sharing takes place these days.

What We Owe

As our kids are getting older, we talk a lot about healthy relationships, boundaries, and consent. Not just in romantic relationships, but in all the ones they have – with friends, with authority figures, with us.

And one of the lessons we are teaching them is that they have the right to answer no. To withhold information requested by others that have no business asking for it. To not give the full story, or stay silent if needed.

Too often, we teach kids that when someone asks you a question you answer it, but at what expense? When do we teach kids that just because someone answered doesn’t mean they have to give an answer?

Because our kids don’t owe anyone their truth. They don’t have to share about themselves just because someone asks.

And we need to remember that in our classrooms as well. That just because we survey kids, doesn’t mean they have to answer. That not answering is an answer in itself.

That we build trust, not demand it. That we recognize when something is not our business. That we consider what we are actually asking BEFORE we ask.

And that if a child says no, IDK, or leaves it blank that perhaps it is not because they are obstinate but because they are exercising their right to not answer.

As I wrote through Passionate Learners 3rd Edition, the idea of control and power were ever-present. The way we demand acquiescence. That we demand to be followed blindly. That we don’t take the opportunities that present themselves to dive into the power dynamics present within our teaching and consider how we can shift power back to students.

But we demand their words. We command their attention. And we label them when they don’t bend to our will.

Shifting our power balance so that the children in our care also get to have power while also functioning as a class community is not always easy. It takes time, it takes patience, and it takes trust. But it is possible. That’s why I wrote the 3rd edition so that I could share ideas of how we respect all children within a functioning co-created classroom.

To offer up the small and big ideas that meant that control was shared, that power was given, that there was room to say no and not get in trouble.

Whether you read the book or not, please consider your demands. Please consider who you are asking to share what. Please consider what happens when we ask kids to share beyond their comfort levels.

What model are we creating for them when it comes to autonomy, power, and respect?

Saying no takes courage. Staying silent can be an act of strength. Not something to be punished. Not something to be yelled out of a child. How do we create classrooms that support that?

PS: Are you looking for coaching, in-person support, or virtual presentations? I am available and would love to support your work. Whereas I am physically located in Denmark now, I can travel if needed. In fact, I was just in North America in February 2023 and bounce back and forth.  If you would like me to be a part of your professional development, please reach out. I am here to help. For a lot more posts, resources, live and recorded professional development, please join my Patreon community where most of my sharing takes place these days.

Pre-order Passionate Learners 3rd Edition now!

8 years ago the 2nd edition of Passionate Learners: How to Engage and Empower Your Students was released into the world.

I saw it make a difference to those who read it, educators reaching out to ask further questions, to tell me that they loved the practicality of the book, that it gave them the courage and the path to co-create spaces with students.

I wrote the book, never thinking there would be another edition because surely I had said everything I wanted to say. I had given my best advice.

But then the world changed, and I changed right along with it.

In 2015, I could never have imagined how our educational system would change in just 8 years. I could never have imagined the way our students would need us even more, how the system would give us even less, and how we would fight to maintain even a shred of respect in our profession. How a global pandemic would push us to our furthest limit and then still continue to demand more.

I could never have imagined the world I teach in now.

And so when my incredible editor, Lauren Davis, asked me if I would consider updating it, I first laughed at the idea. Why would it need to be updated?

But still, I returned to the words from 2015 to feel it out. Turns out, Pernille in 2015 had great ideas, and some not so fully developed. The teacher I was now, was so much more. That in the years between the book and now, the lessons I had learned had been hardwon but so important.

And so I wrote through the book, seeing if anything really needed to be updated. A year later, I handed in a manuscript that was so much more than that. A book that was rewritten in its entirety, with additional new focuses and units. With an additional 42 pages, with more answers and ideas than before.

I wanted to create an edition that would matter as much as the previous one. A book that continues my journey as a teacher, that admits the mistakes, shares the ideas, and hopefully gives tangible pathways to co-created spaces with students. It is the best words that I have on a journey that continues.

And now, with less than two months to go, the book is ready for pre-order. If you order it through Routledge right now, you can get a 20% off discount using the code SMA34

If you read the first or second edition, I hope you will return to see how it all evolved. To find further answers. Or to share the book. If you haven’t read any edition, I welcome you into a classroom focused on centering students while not letting the system swallow you whole.

Why now?

I made myself answer why now, why bother, in the introduction, here is an excerpt…

And so, I wrote about what I know now, fourteen years into a career that has pushed me harder than anything else I have ever done. I wrote about the importance of co-creating spaces with our students that give them permission to show up the way they are. I wrote about what happens when you try to give up homework completely but can’t, or when those who are supposed to support you don’t.

I wrote with more nuance and experience than I had in the first edition, and I wrote with my husband Brandon, a new teacher himself, asking me the hardest questions about my practice.

I wrote so I could pull out all the cogs of the machine and try to present them to others so they may also change the way they teach. I wrote honestly and openly, because this journey is one I am still figuring out.

So whether you are just beginning or well on your way, I hope this book helps you along your journey toward a classroom filled with passionate learners. At the very least, it will let you know that you are not alone—that there really are better ways to teach and that there are others like you who believe the same thing.

I believed that there was one way to do school to kids. Now I know that school needs to change, and we must change it from within. Part of that change means including the voices of our students. School can no longer be done to our kids; school needs to be the place they cultivate and nourish who they see themselves as.

Here’s what I know: if I had not changed the way I taught and affected my students, I still would have been just fine. Just fine—not great, not inspiring, not life-touching, as we hope to be. A just fine teacher. But really, at the end of the day, who wants to be just fine? And don’t our children deserve so much more? Don’t we?

If you are a teacher reading this book, chances are, you’re thinking about change. But whether you need to change and what you need to change is entirely up to you. Here’s what I know: if I had not changed the way I taught and affected my students, I still would have been just fine. Just fine—not great, not inspiring, not life-touching, as we hope to be. A just fine teacher. But really, at the end of the day, who wants to be just fine? And don’t our children deserve so much more? Don’t we?

Pre-order it now, save 20%

If you would like to pre-order the book from the publisher, head to this link and use the code below

If you are required to use Amazon, use this link

And if you are in the US and would like to support indie bookstores, please do!

What’s it about, really?

Well, my publisher said this about it:

Based on honest reflections on her own teaching experience, Pernille offers a wide variety of ideas for sharing control, developing your intuition, learning how to fail, giving yourself grace, building community and trust, creating more choice, allowing time for student expertise, and letting go of the punish, behave, and reward cycle so that intrinsic motivation can thrive. This fully enhanced new edition is chock full of additional strategies and tools on topics such as centering students’ identities, overcoming barriers when creating student-centered lessons to emphasize ownership of the learning cycle, shoring up your boundaries to manage your time and stop the intense prep work, changing your homework habits to reduce your load and give students more time, deemphasizing grades, and much more.

With Pernille’s heartfelt stories and practical strategies, you’ll feel inspired to give your classroom back to your students and foster a community of truly passionate learners!

And what did educators think of the 2nd edition?

80 reviews on Amazon and 4.5 star rating – can’t please everyone, especially when they get mad about the price, but I am so grateful for those who found it useful.

If you are in my Patreon…

Then you have a special opportunity to read it for free. So head over to that group, to see details on that.

Or join, to not only get a chance to possibly read it for free but also access all of my resources, specific book lists, mini-PD, coaching, support and anything else I can do.

PS: Are you looking for coaching, in-person support, or virtual presentations? I am available and would love to support your work. Whereas I am physically located in Denmark now, I can travel if needed. In fact, I was just in North America in February 2023 and plan on bouncing back and forth.  If you would like me to be a part of your professional development, please reach out. I am here to help. For a lot more posts, resources, live and recorded professional development, please join my Patreon community where most of my sharing takes place these days.

Great Picture Books to Teach Symbols (Again and Again from Notice and Note)

Posted from my Patreon community where I take requests for book lists to create, share resources, and offer up coaching for members. It is a very easy way for me to be accessible to people around the world, you can join here.

I am continuing with my updates of the picture book lists I made several years ago to accompany the teaching of a variety of reading skills. This time, the focus is on “Symbols” (Again and Again for Notice and Note) or that moment something seemingly inconsequential takes on a more significant meaning. It can be a word, a phrase, an object, or an action that repeats. This can give us a further clue about the conflicts of the story, the theme of the story, or even foreshadow the story.

When I first started out teaching this skill, I was inspired by the language of  Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading by Kylene Beers and Robert Probst.  This book provided my students with the foundation for deeper reading conversations and a common language as we developed our thoughts and discussion skills.

I have updated three other lists so far. Here are my updated lists for Internal Conflict (Tough Questions),  Character Change (Contrast & Contradictions), and for Flashbacks (Memory Moments).

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld: The phrase “The rabbit listened” is repeated multiple times throughout the story, emphasizing the importance of empathy and listening to others.

The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros and illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte: The character’s memories are depicted as balloons that are repeated throughout the illustrations, emphasizing the importance of memories and their impact on our lives.

The Bad Seed by Jory John and illustrated by Pete Oswald: The phrase “I’m a bad seed” is repeated several times, showing the character’s struggle with his identity and eventually his growth and change.

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by Rafael López: The phrase “There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you” is repeated multiple times, highlighting the theme of diversity and the importance of embracing differences.

The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds: The main character collects words and repeats them throughout the story, emphasizing the power of language and the joy of learning new words.

Drawn Together by Minh Lê and illustrated by Dan Santat: The phrase “No words” is repeated throughout the story, highlighting the characters’ communication barriers and eventual connection through art.

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins: The phrase “We don’t eat our classmates” is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the importance of treating others with kindness and respect.

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Jen Hill: The phrase “No one is born a jerk” is repeated several times, showing the character’s growth and change as she learns to be kind.

Love by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Loren Long: The word “love” is repeated throughout the story, highlighting the different forms of love and its importance in our lives.

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Gordon C. James: The phrase “You came in as a lump of clay, a blank, canvas, a mingi, a rough draft” is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the transformative power of a fresh haircut and how we build power

.

The Little Red Fort by Brenda Maier and illustrated by Sonia Sánchez: The phrase “She asked her brothers to help, but they said no” is repeated several times, showing the character’s determination and persistence in building the fort on her own.

They Say Blue by Jillian Tamaki: The phrase “They say blue is sad, like a lonely song” is repeated throughout the story, exploring the different emotions and meanings associated with the color blue.

A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin: The phrase “Little Star gazed down at the big mooncake” is repeated throughout the story, emphasizing the character’s curiosity and eventual consumption of the mooncake.

The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Jon Agee: The phrase “The wall protects this side of the book” is repeated throughout the story, emphasizing the character’s ignorance of the dangers on his side of the wall.

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales: The phrase “We didn’t know the language” is repeated several times, emphasizing the character’s immigrant experience and the challenges of adapting to a new culture.

When Things Aren’t Going Right, Go Left by Marc Colagiovanni and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds: Quite literal symbols are emplyed as the main character leaves their burdens behind, great intro ttext for younger students.

Brick by Brick by Charles R. Smith Jr. and illustrated by Floyd Cooper tells the little known story of how slaves were part of the construction of The White House.  Powerful read and powerful Again and Again moments.

Back of the Bus  written by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Floyd Cooper tells the story of Rosa Park’s act of courage from the  perspective of a little boy on the bus.  Powerful again and again when students notice the symbolism of the marble.

Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride written by Pam Munoz Ryan and illustrated by Brian Selznick has a few subtle Again and Again’s and may therefore be better suited for when students have had some exposure to the strategy.

I admit that The North Star by Peter H. Reynolds was the first one that came to mind for this strategy of noticing when something is repeated again and again.  Why?  Because the cat becomes a symbol for so many things in this book and is something that my students often notice.

With the simple line “Winter is coming” this picture book aptly titled Winter is Coming by Tony Johnston and illustrated by Jim LaMarche is great for just starting out with the strategy since the line is easy to spot and will lead to good discussions about how the book changes even though the line stays the same.

The Big Box by Toni Morrison and Slade Morrison illustrated by Giselle Potter has a lot of repetition making it an ideal candidate for again and again.  Because the words do not seem to mean much until you really start to think about their meaning.  What is the symbolic meaning of the big box?

One of the most beloved picture books in our 7th grade classroom is I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen which due to the hat and the repeated phrases of the bear and the rabbit are great for inferring based on the again and again moments.

Another favorite is Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman illustrated by Zachariah OHora when Dot the Rabbit keeps repeating that Wolfie will eat them all up.  This leads to some great discussion of why she would keep saying that and how we do the same as people when we judge.

The again and again moment may be a little harder to find in the classic Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak but kids always recognize it when they reach the final page and the supper is still hot.  Why does this matter and how does it link in to earlier events?

A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson is a beautiful picture book and the again and again lies in the use of the color red as well as the phrase “Sweet smell of roses…” throughout the book.

this beautiful new picture book, My Two Blankets by Irena Kobold and Freya Blackwood keeps eluding to a blanket.  I love the metaphor that the blanket (s) represent.

Blue on Blue by Dianne White and Beth Krommes has a fantastic again and again in the way the color words are used.  While not as obvious as an again and again moment, I am looking forward to seeing if students can discover the pattern.

We are about to start our nonfiction focus for the year so I am so glad I found some great again and again moments in The Boy Who Loved Math by Deborah Helligman with pictures by LeUyen Pham.  The way the numbers are colored throughout the pages will definitely catch the eye of students.

As always, I turned to the awesome Notice and Note community on Facebook and asked them to share their favorites as well.  Here they are.

Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson.

Frog on a Log? by Kes Gray and Jim Field.

Little Elliot Big City by Mike Curato

By Frog and Mouse by Deborah Freedman

Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth

Shortcut by Donald Crews

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes.

The Hat by Jan Brett

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson

The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater

As always, please add your favorites for Again and Again in the comments

Great Picture Books to Teach Internal Conflict (Tough Questions from Notice and Note)

Posted from my Patreon community where I take requests for book lists to create, share resources, and offer up coaching for members. It is a very easy way for me to be accessible to people around the world, you can join here.

I am continuing with my updates of the picture book lists I made several years ago to accompany the teaching of a variety of reading skills. This time, the focus is on “Internal Conflict” or that moment when a character asks a large question in order to try to make sense of themselves or the story. This can give us a further clue as to who they are, the conflicts of the story, why they may be acting the way they are, the theme of the story, or even predict the future.

When I first started out teaching this skill, I was inspired by the language of  Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading by Kylene Beers and Robert Probst.  This book provided my students with the foundation for deeper reading conversations and a common language as we developed our thoughts and discussion skills.

I have updated two other lists so far. Here are my updated lists for Character Change (Contrast & Contradictions) and for Flashbacks (Memory Moments).

Thank you to everyone who offered up suggestions of what to add to the list.

The Talk by Alicia D. Williams and illustrated by Briana Mukodri Uchendu

Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady and illustrated by Gracey Zhang

Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson

All the Way to the Top by Annette Bay Pimentel and pictures by Nabi H. Ali

There Must Be Something More Than by Shinsuke Yoshitake

Adrian Simcox Does Not Have a Horse by Marcy Campbell and illustrated by Corinne Luyken

Maddi’s Fridge by Lois Brandt and illustrated by Vin Vogel

A Bike like Sergio’s by Maribeth Bolts illustrated by Noah Z. Jones

For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World by Michael W. Waters and illustrated by Keisha Morris

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson

Emily’s Blue Period by Cathleen Daly and illustrated by Lisa Brown

Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson

Stillwater and Koo Save the World by Jon J Muth

I Didn’t Stand Up by Lucy Falcone and illustrated by Jacqueline Hudon

Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis

I Hate Everyone by Naomi Danis and illustrated by Cinta Arribas

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis

Where’s Rodney? by Carmen Bogan and illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Don’t Play With Your Food by Bob Shea

I’m Sad by Michael Ian Black and illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

What Do You Do With a Problem? written by Kobi Yamada and illustrated by Mac Besom

What is Love by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Carson Ellis

Old Ideas

White Water by Michael S. Bandy and Eric Stein has several tough questions in it and also doubles as an amazing book to discuss a really powerful topic with students; racial segregation.  This is the book I used to introduce the strategy to my students with the bonus of having aha moments and a contrast and contradiction in it as well.

The Three Questions by Jon J. Muth starts out with three obvious tough questions and then explores them the rest of the book.

A book near and dear to my heart The Yellow Star By Carmen Agra Deedy.  Although the story is not true, it still speaks of my people’s fight against the Nazi occupation and opens up great conversations.  The tough question is when King Christian wonders what can be done to fight the yellow stars.

What Do You Do With An Idea? by Kobi Yamada is a book I use a lot in the classroom as it is great for inferencing, and inspiring creativity, but it also works well for this strategy as it starts out with tough questions and then has several more further in.

The Numberlys By William Joyce and Christina Ellis has several tough questions and is definitely a great way to highlight conflict.

The tough question is not posed as a question in Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine but instead as a desire to be free.  I would use this later in the strategy to teach students that tough questions are not always in a question format.

Boats for Papa by Jessixa Bagley only has one question in it but it will lead to great questions and will also be a great inference exercise.

Crowd Sourced Ideas

The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

Train to Somewhere by Eve Bunting

The Gold Coin by Alma Flor Ada

Riding the Tiger by Eve Bunting

The Old Woman Who Named Things  by Cynthia Rylant

Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting

Bully by Patricia Polacco

Wanda’s First Day  by Mark Sperring

Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse by Leo Lionnei

Pink and Say  by Patricia Polacco

Did I miss any? If you are wondering how I use these picture books, just ask, and I will gladly share ideas.

PS: Are you looking for coaching, in-person support, or virtual presentations? I am available and would love to support your work. Whereas I am physically located in Denmark now, I can travel if needed. In fact, I will be in the US and Canada in February 2023.  If you would like me to be a part of your professional development, please reach out. I am here to help. For a lot more posts, resources, live and recorded professional development, please join my Patreon community where most of my sharing takes place these days.

Great Picture Books to Teach Flashbacks (Memory Moments in Notice and Note)

Posted from my Patreon community where I take requests for book lists to create, share resources, and offer up coaching for members. It is a very easy way for me to be accessible to people around the world, you can join here.

I am continuing with my updates of the picture book lists I made several years ago to accompany the teaching of a variety of reading skills. This time, the focus is on “Memory Moments” or that moment when a character has a flashback that in some ways gives us further clue to who they are, why they may be acting the way they are, the theme of the story, or even predict the future.

When I first started out teaching this skill, I was inspired by the language of  Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading by Kylene Beers and Robert Probst.  This book provided my students with the foundation for deeper reading conversations and a common language as we developed our thoughts and discussion skills.

Here is my updated list for Character Change (Contrast & Contradictions).

Thank you to everyone who offered up suggestions of what to add to the list.

Hair Love by Matthew Cherry and illustrated by Vashti Harrison

Watercress by Andrea Wang and illustrated by Jason Chin

Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away by Meg Medina and illustrated by Sonia Sanchez

Opal Lee and What it Means to Be Free by Alice Faye Duncan and illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo

Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate

Serena: The Littlest Sister by Karlin Gray and illustrated by Monica Ahanonu

Kamishibai Man by Allen Say

The Map of Memories by Fran Nuño and illustrated by Zuzanna Celej

Iggy Peck Architect by Andrea Beaty and illustrated by David Roberts

A Different Pond by Bao Phi and illustrated by Thi Bui

A House that Once Was by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Lane Smith

Red Tree by Shaun Tan

Miss Tizzy by Libby Moore Gray and illustrated by Jada Rowland

The Matchbox Dairies by Paul Fleischman and illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff and illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

Coming on Home Soon by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis

My Hands Tell a Story by Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrated by Tonya Engel

Emma and the Whale by Julie Case and Lee White has two flashbacks in it that can be considered brief memory moments.

An incredible picture book, When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson and Julie Flett have a memory moment every time the grandmother answers her grandchild’s questions. Powerful message that will capture curiosity.  This is the book I will use with my 7th graders.

Belle the Last Mule at Gee’s Bend by Calvin Alexander Ramsey & Betty Stroud, illustrated by John Holyfield tells the true tale of one of the mules that carried the coffin of MLK Jr.  Told through memory moments as a child asks about the mule, this is a great picture book to teach an untold story as well as memory moments.

This Is the Rope: A Story from the Great Migration Hardcover 

by Jacqueline Woodson (Author), James Ransome (Illustrator) is a story of one memomy moment after another as the tale of the rope passed from hands to hands is shared by a mother.

Both The Day the Crayons Quit and its follow up The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers have great memory moments as the crayons tell Duncan how they were used and what they remember.  Considering these are must have picture books for any classroom, since there are so many things you can teach with them, I am thrilled that both can be used for this strategy as well.

The retelling of the story of King Christian X in The Yellow Star by Carmen Agra Deedy and illustrated by Henri Sørensen is an example of a memory moment in the lesson that we are all to glean from it.  The fact that the story is not true does not hinder its deeper meaning.

The books of Peter H. Reynolds has been featured in all of my signpost picture books, and it speaks to their incredible versatility.  You and Me written by Susan Verdi and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds is a memory moment from the start as the characters reminisce about what would have happened had their day not unfolded the way it did.  A beautiful story of friendship and serendipity.

A beautiful memory moment exists in the pages of A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams as we learn the story of the chair.

Memories abound as the Wolf shares the story of what really happened with the pigs in Tell the Truth B.B. Wolf by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Jotto Seirold.

As always, I turned to the awesome Notice and Note community on Facebook and asked them to share their favorites as well.  Here they are.

Storm in the Night by Mary Stolz and illustrated by Pat Cummings.

Tough Cookie by David Wiesniewski

Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco.

Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox and illustrated by Julie Vivas

When I Was Young in the Mountains by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Diane Goode.

Saturday and Teacakes by Lester Laminack

A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

Train to Somewhere by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Ronald Himler

Did I miss any? If you are wondering how I use these picture books, just ask, and I will gladly share ideas.

PS: Are you looking for coaching, in-person support, or virtual presentations? I am available and would love to support your work. Whereas I am physically located in Denmark now, I can travel if needed. In fact, I will be in the US and Canada in February 2023.  If you would like me to be a part of your professional development, please reach out. I am here to help. For a lot more posts, resources, live and recorded professional development, please join my Patreon community where most of my sharing takes place these days.

How are you breaking your productivity guilt?

I cannot be the only one who navigates productivity guilt.

You know, that feeling of never having accomplished enough as an educator, or adult, and therefore not deserving of rest.

The bad news? Productivity guilt can lead to major health implications, I know this, I have had major health implications the last 5 years of being a teacher such as anxiety, a weakened immune system leading to multiple pneumonia and bronchitis bouts, and high blood pressure.

The good news – it doesn’t have to be this way. But as someone who is still trying to break productivity guilt habits, it is hard to break. The educational system is set up to make us constantly cross our own self-imposed boundaries. And the needs of our communities can be so high. So finding a way to still be productive while also knowing when to work can be a process in itself.

After learning more about productivity guilt, I wanted to share a few tips and ideas for how to recognize t, and more importantly, how to do something about it in order for you to feel healthier. I cross-posted this on Instagram but wanted to make sure I shared it here as well.

If you are not sure how to cut down on your workload, I will gladly help alleviate some of it. Just let me know how I can help. 

Here are a few ideas for how to recognize and lessen productivity guilt so you can get back to living the life you deserve.

Great Picture Books to Teach Character Change (Contrast & Contradictions in Notice and Note)

Posted from my Patreon community where I take requests for book lists to create, share resources, and offer up coaching for members. It is a very easy way for me to be accessible to people around the world, you can join here.

One of the reading strategies we teach students is to notice character changes, whether it be in chapter books, movies, or even in life. When I first started out teaching this strategy, I was inspired by the language of  Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading by Kylene Beers and Robert Probst.  This book provided my students with the foundation for having deeper reading conversations and a common language as we developed our thoughts and our discussion skills.

While being able to track characters and notice when they act out of character is a great reading strategy, it is an even bigger life skill. Inferring and noticing when people don’t seem like themselves or when they change can be practiced within literature and media. As a way to introduce and really focus on the strategy, I have long used picture books to showcase it. 8 years ago, I created this initial list of picture books and I figured it was about time to update it as I sit and watch Titanic with my kids.  

The Noisy Classroom by Angela Shanté and illustrated by Alison Hawkins. A young girl is about to enter the third grade, but this year she’s put into Ms. Johnson’s noisy class. Everything about the noisy class is odd. While all the other classes are quiet, Ms. Johnson sings and the kids chatter all day. The door is always closed, yet sounds from it can be heard in the hallway. With summer coming to an end and school starting, the girl realizes that soon she’ll be going to the noisy class. What will school be like now?

In After the Fall by Dan Santat, Humpty Dumpty has to come to terms with his own fear and anxiety after a great big fall. But that requires him to act opposite of what his fear tells him to.

When my Cousins Come to Town by Angela Shanté and illustrated by Keisha Morris. Fitting in can be hard, but standing out isn’t easy either! Every summer a young girl eagerly waits for her cousins to come visit and celebrate her birthday. All her cousins are unique in their own ways and have earned cool nicknames for themselves… except for the girl. But this year things are going to be different. This year before summer ends, she’s determined to earn her own nickname!

My Teacher is a Monster by Peter Brown. A young boy named Bobby has the worst teacher. She’s loud, she yells, and if you throw paper airplanes, she won’t allow you to enjoy recess. She is a monster! Luckily, Bobby can go to his favorite spot in the park on weekends to play. Until one day… he finds his teacher there! Over the course of one day, Bobby learns that monsters are not always what they seem.

I Hate Everyone by Naomi Davis and illustrated by Cinta Arribas. “I hate everyone.” In your worst mood, it’s a phrase you might want to shout out loud, even if, deep down, you don’t really mean it. Set at a birthday party, this disgruntled, first-person story portrays the confusing feelings that sometimes make it impossible to be nice, even-or especially-when everyone else is in a partying mode.

In Big by Vashti Harrison we follow our main character and she goes from loving herself, to feeling the direct pressure from society to fit in. Can she find herself and her strength again?

Timid by Harry Woodgate offers up the story of Timmy, who loves to perform even though they also have anxiety whenever they are asked to perform in front of others. While they want to overcome it, and nearly do, it turns out letting go of who you used to be is a lot harder than one might think.

In Francis Discovers Possible by Ashlee Latimer and illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani, Francis loves learning new words. At school, when her class is reviewing words that begin with the letter “F,” someone sneers “Fat, like Francis.” Francis always thought “fat” was a warm word—like snuggling with Mama or belly rubs for her puppy. But now “fat” feels cold, and Francis feels very small. After school, Baba takes Francis to the park. She chooses the bench instead of the swing set, and gets very quiet. But when Baba uses the word “possible,” Francis wants to know what it means.

In The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill and Laura Huliska-Beith, Mean Jean was Recess Queen and nobody said any different. Nobody swung until Mean Jean swung. Nobody kicked until Mean Jean kicked. Nobody bounced until Mean Jean bounced. If kids ever crossed her, she’d push ’em and smoosh ’em, lollapaloosh ’em, hammer ’em, slammer ’em, kitz and kajammer ’em. Until a new kid came to school! With her irrepressible spirit, the new girl dethrones the reigning recess bully by becoming her friend in this infectious playground romp.

In Home for a While by Lauren H. Kerstein and illustrated by Natalie Moore, Calvin is in foster care, and he wants to trust someone, anyone, but is afraid to open his heart. He has lived in a lot of houses, but he still hasn’t found his home. When he moves in with Maggie, she shows him respect, offers him kindness, and makes him see things in himself that he’s never noticed before. Maybe this isn’t just another house, maybe this is a place Calvin can call home, for a while.

El Cucuy is Scared Too by Donna Barba Higuera and illustrated by Juliana Perdomo. Ramón is a little boy who can’t sleep. He is nervous for his first day at a new school.
And El Cucuy is the monster who lives in Ramón’s cactus pot. He can’t sleep, either.
It turns out that El Cucuy is scared, too!

Truman by Jean Reidy and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins, Truman is a worried little turtle especially as Sarah leaves him for school. How will he manage when she continues to leave and cannot bring him along?

It’s like this picture book was written just for this lesson.  The Bad Seed by Jory John and illustrated by Pete Oswald features two changes in character and also a powerful message about trauma and what can happen to you even after bad things happen.

In Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino and Isabelle Malenfant, Morris goes from being sad and timid, unsure of his choice to wear a tangerine dress.  As the book progresses he changes as he realizes that he wants to be himself.

Allie’s Basketball by Barbara E Barber (Author), Darryl Ligasan(Illustrator)

According to the boys watching Allie play, girls can’t play basketball.

In A Tale of Two Beasts by Fiona Robertson, the C&C is how the two sides view the story.

I Don’t Want to Be a Frog by Dev Petty and illustrated by Mike Boldt is C&C throughout.  The main character does not want to be what he is supposed to be and protests it every way he can.

Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin by Duncan Tonatiuh (Author)

As two cousins write to each other, we see the contrast (and similarities) between their lives.

Tuesday by David Wiesner started us off in our discussions about contrasts and contradictions.  This fantastic nearly wordless picture book is an easy entry into this discussion as it allows students to easily see how the magical event with the toads floating is in contrast to what frogs normally do.

With one of my classes I also used Rules of Summer by Shaun Tan, where the contrast lies in the rules being shared and the images.  While this one was a little more advanced for the students, they greatly enjoyed the illustrations and discussing what they might mean.

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig and illustrated by Patrice Barton. Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody in class ever seems to notice him or think to include him in their group, game, or birthday party . . . until, that is, a new kid comes to class.When Justin, the new boy, arrives, Brian is the first to make him feel welcome. And when Brian and Justin team up to work on a class project together, Brian finds a way to shine

Another contrast and contradiction text between self and society in Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown where Mr. Tiger just will not conform.  When he tries to change his ways, he loses his real identity.

This Is A Moose by Richard T. Morris and Tom Lichtenheld is a great example of the contrast between what a moose is supposed to be like and what they really are.

The Story of Fish & Snail by Deborah Freedman is a wonderful example about change in a character as Snail is too scared to follow Fish on a new adventure.

That Is Not A Good Idea by Mo Willems is another great example of a character changing and acting in a different way than we would expect.  I do love this devious little tale.

What I love about Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Christian Robinson, is that most of my students can relate to its message about being expected to fit in in a certain way.  The contrast lies between the characters and how their upbringing has shaped them.

Any day I can use Pete and Pickles by Berkeley Breathed is a good day in our room.  Here, we focus on the change that Pete the pig goes through as he meets Pickles.  Great book also to use for character development and inferring.

Don’t Call Me Choocie Pooh by Sean Taylor and Kate Hindley follow the story of a dog that does not want to be treated in a certain way afraid of what the other dogs will think.  Great ending that shows the change in the character.

Horrible Bear written by Ame Dyckman and illustrated by Zachariah O’Hora is a lovely picture book that shows what happens when you don’t do what is expected.

Don’t Call Me Grandma by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon is a perfect example of a character that does not fit the stereotype.  Great-Grandmother Nell isn’t anything but warm and fuzzy and as the great-grand daughter starts to understand why, we see a great slice of history as well.

North Woods Girl written by Aimee Bissonette and illustrated by Claudia McGehee is also about a grandma that doesn’t quite fit the mold.

Little Red by Bethan Woolvin is wickedly funny, it follows the path of the regular story but with a twist at the end and it is that twist that provides our contract and contradiction.

Which books have you used for contrast and contradictions?

PS: Are you looking for coaching, in-person support, or virtual presentations? I am available and would love to support your work. Whereas I am physically located in Denmark now, I can travel if needed. In fact, I will be in the US and Canada in February 2023.  If you would like me to be a part of your professional development, please reach out. I am here to help. For a lot more posts, resources, live and recorded professional development, please join my Patreon community where most of my sharing takes place these days.