Please Write in This Book
What’s inside...
When a teacher leaves a blank book in the Writer's Corner for her students to find, with the instructions 'Please Write in this Book,' she hopes it will encourage her students to talk to one another in its pages. They do, and the result is an epic classroom battle.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
112 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What would you write in a class book if you had the chance, and why?
How do the characters' entries in the book change over time? What does this tell us about how people can grow and change?
What are some ways the characters solve their misunderstandings? How can we apply these strategies in our own lives?
If you were to add a rule to the class book, what would it be and why?
How do you think the book helped the characters understand each other better?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about what they would contribute to a shared class book, helping them connect personally with the story’s premise.
Discuss the concept of perspective with your child by exploring each character’s different entries and what they might reflect about their feelings and thoughts.
Use examples from the book to teach conflict resolution, asking your child how they might apply similar tactics in their own friendships.
Prompt your child to think creatively by asking them to come up with their own class book rules, fostering a sense of order and responsibility.
Highlight the importance of empathy and understanding by discussing how the characters benefited from reading each other's entries.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of communication
Explanation: In 'Please Write in This Book', the students use a notebook to express their thoughts and ideas, promoting effective communication.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to express their feelings and thoughts clearly, and understand the value of sharing ideas with others.
Example Lesson: Respect for diverse perspectives
Explanation: The story showcases various students contributing different entries to the book, highlighting how everyone's viewpoints are unique and valuable.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to appreciate and respect different opinions and perspectives in their day-to-day interactions.
Example Lesson: Creative expression
Explanation: The book encourages students to be creative and use the notebook for various forms of expression like stories, poems, and drawings.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of using creative outlets to showcase their individuality and ideas.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and ownership
Explanation: By contributing to the communal book, each student learns about taking responsibility for their entries and respecting the contributions of others.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the value of personal responsibility and collective ownership in group settings.
Example Lesson: Resolution of conflicts
Explanation: The book delves into minor conflicts arising from the shared use of the book and shows how students resolve them through discussion and cooperation.
Real-World Application: Teaches children effective conflict resolution techniques, promoting harmony and understanding in school and at home.