Sunday, January 26, 2014

Howard B Wigglebottom: Ways to be Cool

The past couple of weeks we did a SMART sequence on the book "Howard B. Wigglebottom Listens to His Heart." In Kindergarten, SMART learning focuses on helping students think more about the stories we read, making predictions and making connections with everyday life. It ties in really well with our No Putdowns program and we have selected a book for each No Putdowns skill.
This book tells the story of a young rabbit that loves to dance and dancing helps him to wiggle away his blues until the fateful day when the other kids at school laugh at his dancing. Howard vows to never dance again and he believes he must find a way to "be cool."
We stopped at this point in the story to discuss what cool is and why it is important. One student wisely stated that "being cool is being yourself even if other people don't like it." Another said "it is cool to be nice to others." Then we made predictions about Howard could become cool. The photos below show their predictions.



Ultimately, Howard's Grandpa Sammy helps Howard realize that he loves to dance and he teaches Howard some new dance moves. Howard tries out his new dance moves at a school dance and .... everyone loves it! Howard learned it is best to be himself no matter what anyone else says.
Ask your child how to be cool and how to listen to their heart. I would love to hear what they share with you at home!

Ms. Scott