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Bibliotherapy Lesson- January 14, 2011I did a bibliotherapy
lesson today with a group of five kindergartners using the book,
The Mixed-Up Chameleon,
by Eric Carle.
Never have I seen students who wanted to explore a new
environment more than this group of fivekindergartners. With the
exception of my own son, who was a part of this group, these
students had never been inmy room. I have a lot to explore, such as
model rockets, fish tanks, a SMARTboard, a futon, and the list
continues.It took a while to get them calmed down and ready to
start becausethey wanted to see all the new and cool things. In
retrospect, I shouldhave invited them up for a time to meet Mrs.
Foxs room as theywould have been more prepared to talk with me and
pay attention.
The first activity was a lot of fun for them. They couldnt
believethat I would let them actually draw whatever animal part
theywanted on the picture of themselves. They loved it and although
it
was a lot of fun, after reflecting, this activity might have led
me awayfrom the conclusions I wanted them to see. In the end, they
wentback to that drawing when I asked them the question about
whetherthey have ever wanted to be someone or something else. They
saidyes and that it would be fun to be someone else.
Lastly, because I did not feel that the students got the point I
was making, I led them to that point and Ishouldnt have done that.
I should have let them be and not worried about whether they got
the point or not. It isreally NOT the time for preaching as Dr.
Wood stated before and I might have leaned that way in the end.
Listen to my lesson at:
https://files.me.com/mandyfox/v9x5et.mp3
https://files.me.com/mandyfox/v9x5et.mp3https://files.me.com/mandyfox/v9x5et.mp3
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Bibliotherapy Lesson for Kindergarten
1. Bibliographic EntryCarle, E. (1984). The Mixed-Up Chameleon.
Harper Collins.
2. Story Summary! Carles book tells a story of a chameleon who
is not happy with himself or the way he
changes colors so he wishes desperately to be like the other
animals in the zoo. One by one,
he gains his favorite parts of each of the animals. However,
once he has all the partstogether, they no longer are as wonderful
as they were on the other animals. Thechameleons heart changes when
he can no longer catch the fly he wants, so he wishes tobe himself
again.
3. Developing Challenges Addresseda. Individualityb. Valuing the
gifts you have
4. Themes/Key ConceptsWe should celebrate and embrace our
individuality.Everyone has value and a gift to contribute.
5. Introductory Activity
Ask the students to draw a picture of themselves combining all
their favorite animal parts.(The ones they think would help them be
a better person.)
After drawing, ask the students:a. Are there different types of
people in the world?b. Why is important to have different types of
people?c. Do we each have special talents?d. What is your special
talent?
6. Menu of Discussion Questions
Identification! Why does the chameleon not like himself?
! What happens when he gets all the other animals parts combined
together?!
Catharsis! Why did the chameleon want all the other animal
parts?! What did he think would happen when all the parts were
combined?
! Do you think he was disappointed or happy to go back to being
a chameleon? Why?
Insight! Have you ever wanted to be someone else?! What do you
think would happen if we were all alike in the world? ! ! What
makes you special to the world?
7. Universalization
Draw a picture showing us what you feel you are really good at
or a special talent you mighthave.
