Teaching Friendship with The Fruit Salad Friend

I have been a long time fan of Maria Dismondy's books.  They're wonderful for character building lessons.
Maria recently published a new book titled The Fruit Salad Friend.  In this story, a little girl named Chloe faces some challenges with friendship.  She learns and uses different strategies to to help herself feel better and find friends that lift her up.  She learns the recipe for friendship.  Super cute! ...and if your classroom is anything like mine, then everybody could use a little springtime refresher on friendship- I'm looking at you little drama queens!

Maria has collaborated with Emily Yost to create a free readers guide for you to use in your classroom.  It is EXCELLENT!  Comprehension, writing, drawing, etc.

In my own classroom, after reading the book, I focused my lesson the the traits of a good friend and on using I-Messages.  We used the I Message poster in the readers' guide along with with the scenario cards.  My students could really connect with the scenarios.  We practiced using I Messages together and in pairs.  I love using I-Messages, because it gives the students ownership over their feelings and their words.  It also helps them to figure what exactly is making them mad.  We talked about how much more powerful an I-Message is compared to whining and bickering.

Using the materials from reader's guide and some clip art from Dancing Crayon Designs, we created a display to help us remember how to use I-Messages and ways to calm down when we feel upset or angry.  I am in love with how it turned out!  They love finding their fruit, and it's nice to have the visual available when conflicts arise.

Afterwards, we made a friendship fruit salad together- naming the traits of friends as we added the ingredients.  It was fun and nutritious.  Everything is better when food is involved, right?

After the lesson, each child received a 'Friendship is Sweet' brag tag to add to their collection.  You can download it here or by clicking on the picture.  We LOVE brag tags!  They really do brag to each other about them. Haha!

Here are some quick links for finding everything you need to use The Fruit Salad Friend in your own classroom:
Book (Amazon Affiliate Link)
Reader's Guide
Brag Tags

Don't need it now?  Pin it for later!

2

Listen Up Peeps!

So, are you Team Peeps or Team No Way, They're Disgusting? I'm the latter, but I sure do think they're cute and super fun for spring time.

I have an easy behavior management idea for you involving marshmallow Peeps that you can use right around Easter or after Easter once you pick up all of the Peeps from the clearance rack at Target.  The goal is to get students to listen and pay attention a little better...because we all know how spring fever goes.

Here's my display, which you can grab by clicking here or on the picture.  I set mine up the day before we started to grab their attention and build excitement.

Students will start each day with three Unifix cubes.  You could easily use counters, beans, or plastic pennies.  If a student is talking at an inappropriate time, not following directions, or is just not listening, they must give you a cube.  When I introduce the concept and chart to students, I show them a non-verbal signal that means, "You owe me a cube." I simply put out my hand, and they hand it over.
At the end of the day, students will record how many cubes they still have left on the chart.  Students who end the day with 1 or more of their cubes, get a marshmallow Peep and a certificate.  I've always used these adorable certificates that Recipe for Learning has on her blog.
This year, I snagged a small stuffed Peep at Target.  Each morning, I will randomly select the name of one student who had 3 cubes let the day before.  That student will get to hold the Peep at their seat all day- You all know they'll do anything to have a stuffy to snuggle with.

This is just an easy way to keep the chatting and general lack of listening in check.  Let me know if you decided to give it a try!

If you're too swamped to do it this year, Pin it and try it later on!

1