Raise Your Hand
What’s inside...
Alice Paul Tapper, a young girl, notices that the girls in her class are hesitant to raise their hands compared to the boys. She starts a campaign, which turns into a national movement, to encourage girls to raise their hands with confidence. The campaign gains momentum with the help of her Girl Scout troop and her parents, and Alice even writes an op-ed about it for the New York Times. Inspired by her experiences, a picture book is created to depict her story, featuring illustrations by Marta Kissi, motivating young readers to speak up and be confident.
Age
6-9
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Alice Tapper
Discussion points
How did the story make you feel about speaking up in class?
Can you think of a time when you wanted to raise your hand but didn't? What held you back?
What do you think might happen if you raise your hand more often?
How do you think the character felt after she spoke up?
Why is it important to share your ideas and questions with others?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book’s scenarios. Validate their feelings and share your own experiences related to confidence and speaking out. Highlight the positive outcomes of the character’s actions to reinforce the importance of self-expression. Use examples from the book to relate to real-life situations your child might face in school or group settings.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Confidence in self-expression
Explanation: The protagonist, Alice, learns to confidently raise her hand and express her thoughts in class, which is a central theme throughout the story.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by feeling empowered to speak up in their own classrooms and participate actively in discussions.
Example Lesson: Importance of inclusivity
Explanation: Alice notices that not all students participate equally and works to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable contributing.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to foster inclusive spaces in their schools and communities, ensuring everyone feels valued and heard.
Example Lesson: Leadership and initiative
Explanation: Alice takes the initiative to start a campaign encouraging students to raise their hands, displaying leadership qualities.
Real-World Application: Children can adopt leadership roles in group activities or projects, driving positive changes and encouraging collaboration among peers.
Example Lesson: Persistence in overcoming challenges
Explanation: Despite initial hesitation and challenges, Alice perseveres in her campaign to promote confidence among her peers.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of persistence when facing obstacles, whether in academics, sports, or any area of interest.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The book portrays Alice's journey to understand her classmates' reluctance to participate, teaching her empathy.
Real-World Application: Children learn to empathize with their peers' feelings and perspectives, fostering a more supportive and empathetic environment in their interactions.