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____________________________________________________
ADiscussionandActivityGuideFor
Teachers,Librarians,andParents
ExtraordinaryDogsStoriesFromSearchandRescueDogs,ComfortDogs,
andOtherCanineHeroes
PhotographsByLizStavrinides
EssaysByJohnSchlimm
St.Martin’sPress
____________________________________________________
2
TableofContents
Introduction:UsingExtraordinaryDogsintheClassroom,Library,oratHome 3
KindergartentoSecondGrade:Lessons 5
ThirdtoFifthGrade:Lessons 10
SixthtoEighthGrade:Lessons 15
NinthtoTwelfthGrade:Lessons 20
College:Lessons 25
BookClubDiscussionQuestions 30
TheOrganizationsinExtraordinaryDogs 32
AbouttheAuthor 33
AboutthePhotographer 33
3
Introduction:
UsingExtraordinaryDogs
intheClassroom,Library,oratHome
ExtraordinaryDogsportraysmorethan50workingdogs,alongwiththepoliceofficers,
firefighters,veterans,andothertrainedvolunteerhandlerswhoserveside-by-sidewith
them.Theirmovingstoriesandbeautifulphotographsareanunprecedentedglimpseat
ComfortDogsandSearchandRescueDogs,alongwithbomb-detectingTSAdogsand
canineambassadorsfromacrosstheUnitedStates.
Readindividuallyorcollectively,amongthe40essaysinExtraordinaryDogsthereare
severalnaturallaunchingpointsfordiscussionsandactivitiesintheclassroom,library,and
athomewithchildrenandyoungadults—kindergartentocollegelevel—aboutthe
numerousquestionsandtopicsweallconfrontinourliveseveryday.Frompersonaland
headliningnationaltragedies,trauma,andhealingtolove,hope,courage,compassion,
service,advocacy,faith,connection,mentalwellness,leadership,andheroism,the
followingsuggesteddiscussionsandactivitieswillallowyou—asateacher,librarian,or
parent—toactivelyengageandinspirechildrenandyoungadultsacrossmultipleacademic
subjectsandcurriculumswiththestoriessharedthroughoutthebook.
4
Thefollowinglessonsaredividedbygradelevelsandfocusonseveraltimelytopics:
heroismandleadership;feelings,emotions,andmentalwellness;helpingothersby
answeringcallstoaction;exploringhowinspiringandmotivationalconceptslike
compassion,hope,andadvocacyapplytooureverydaylives;andworkingtogetherasa
team.Thesediscussionsandactivities,andExtraordinaryDogsitself,aremeanttobe
resourcesthatyoucantweakandtailortoyourspecificgradelevel,subject,andcurriculum
asneeded.
Asaneducator,itisalwaysmygoaltodoeverythingIcantohelpyoungpeoplefindand
usetheirvoicesandrecognizetheirnaturaltalents,whilealsosupportingthetireless
effortsofteachers,librarians,andparentseverywherewhoareliterallyshapingthefuture
eachday.Andforthisparticularjourney,wegettohavefiftyofthebestfurry,four-legged
teacherstoassistus!
~JohnSchlimm
TorequestaSkypeorin-personvisitbyJohnSchlimm
toyourclass,school,orlibrary,pleasecontact:
SteveTroha
FolioLiteraryManagement
FormoreinformationaboutJohn,
pleasevisit:www.JohnSchlimm.com
5
Kindergarten to Second Grade
Foreachdiscussionoractivitybelow,readoneormoreoftheessaysofyourchoicefrom
ExtraordinaryDogstothestudents.
Lesson1:
Whatisahero?Whatisaleader?ThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsareheroesandleadersinmanyways.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoesthewordheromean?
2.Canyounamesomeheroes?
3.Whatisaleader?
4.Howisaheroalsoaleader?
5InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogseachaheroandaleader?
6.Inwhatwayscanyoubeahero?
7.Inwhatwayscanyoubealeader?
Activities:
1.Havethestudentsusetheirimaginationandcreativitytodescribeordrawapictureof
whattheythinkasuperherodoglookslike.
2.Invitealocalfirstresponderandtheirdogtovisityourclassroom.
6
Lesson2:
HappyDogs,HappyPeopleThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelpbringhappinessandhealingtopeople.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoesitmeantobehappyorsad?
2.Canyounamesomeotherfeelingsoremotions?
3.Whatdoesthewordhealmean?
4.InwhatwaysdidthedogsinExtraordinaryDogshelppeopletobehappyorheal?
5.Doyouhaveadogorotherpet?Ifso,howdotheymakeyoufeel?
6.Howcanyouhelptomakepeoplehappytoday?
Activities:
1.Havestudentsdrawapictureofthemselveswithadog,showinghowthedogmakes
themfeel.
2.Havethestudentsresearchonline(includingontheorganizations’websitesonPage32)
orinprintresourcesforpicturesofdogswhoappeartoexpressvariousfeelingsand
emotions,andthendiscussthosepicturesandrespectivefeelingsandemotionsinclass.Or,
showthestudentsthephotographsinExtraordinaryDogsandaskthemtoexpresshowthe
photographsmakethemfeel.
7
Lesson3:
HelpingOthersThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelppeopleinmanydifferentways.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoesitmeantohelpothers?
2.InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelpingpeople?
3.Inwhatwayshaveyouhelpedotherpeopleinyourlife?
4.Whatissomethingyoucandotodaytohelpotherpeople?
Activities:
1.Havethestudentseachdrawapictureofadogwhoishelpingsomeone.
2.Havethestudentsresearchonline(includingontheorganizations’websitesonPage32)
orinprintresourcesforpicturesofdogshelpingpeople,andthenpresentthephotostothe
class.
8
Lesson4:
WordstoBarkAboutVocabularywordsfordiscussion:
Love
Hope
Joy
Compassion
Courage
Hero
Help
Heal
Service
Faith
Community
Team
Volunteer
Extraordinary
Leadership
Advocacy
Calltoaction
Activities:
1.HaveeachstudentchooseoneofthedogsorhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsandcreatea
cardforthem.ThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogscaneachbereachedusingthe
addressesreferencedonPage32.Or,createcardsforthedogsatyourlocalanimalshelter,
orlocalservicedogs,policedogs,searchandrescuedogs,oranotherspecialdog.
2.Havethestudentseachchooseoneofthesevocabularywordsandcreateacollageor
othermulti-mediapiecedepictingwhatthewordmeanstothem.
9
Lesson5:
TeamPlayersThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsarepartofmanyteamswhoworktogether.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoesitmeantobepartofateam?
2.Howmanydifferentexamplesofteamscanyouname?
3.Whatteams,orgroups,areyouapartof?
4.InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogspartofateamorteams?
5.Whatdidyoulearnfromthedogsandhandlersaboutbeingateamplayer?
6.Whattalentsorattributesdoyouhavetocontributetoateam?
7.Whyisitimportanttoworktogetherwithotherpeople?
Activities:
1.Asaclass,createalistofallthewayspeopleworktogetherorcanworktogether.Then
haveeachstudenteitherchooseoneexampleanddrawapicturedepictingit,orhaveeach
studentdrawapictureofwhattheythinkateamlookslike.
2.Asaclass,createaParticipatoryArtpiece.Onalargesheetofpaperorcanvas,haveeach
studentdrawsomething.Bytheend,allofthestudents’contributionswillcreateonefinal
artpiecethatisuniqueandcouldonlyhavebeencreatedbythemasateam.Oncefinished,
asaclass,discusstheartpiecewiththestudents.
Or,useaspecifictheme,suchasaflowergarden,agalaxyofstars,oratown.Giveeach
studentapieceofpaperandaskthemtodrawaspecificobject,suchasaflower,astar,ora
house/building/street.Thenhavethestudentspasstheirpaperstootherstudentswhowill
drawanotherflower,star,orhouse/building/street,dependingonwhichthemeyouare
using.Dothisuntileverystudenthasdrawn(andcoloredin)somethingoneverypieceof
paper,creatinguniqueflowergardens,galaxiesofstars,ortowns.
10
ThirdtoFifthGrade
Foreachdiscussionoractivitybelow,readoneormoreoftheessaysofyourchoicefrom
ExtraordinaryDogstothestudents.
Lesson1:
Whatisahero?Whatisaleader?ThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsareheroesandleadersinmanyways.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoesthewordheromean?
2.Canyounamesomeheroes?
3.Whatisaleader?
4.Howisaheroalsoaleader?
5InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogseachaheroandaleader?
6.Inwhatwayscanyoubeahero?
7.Inwhatwayscanyoubealeader?
Activities:
1.Havethestudentsusetheirimaginationandcreativitytodescribeordrawapictureof
whattheythinkasuperherodoglookslike.
2.Invitealocalfirstresponderandtheirdogtovisityourclassroom.
11
Lesson2:
HappyDogs,HappyPeopleThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelpbringhappinessandhealingtopeople.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoesitmeantobehappyorsad?
2.Canyounamesomeotherfeelingsoremotions?
3.Whatdoesthewordhealmean?
4.InwhatwaysdidthedogsinExtraordinaryDogshelppeopletobehappyorheal?
5.Doyouhaveadogorotherpet?Ifso,howdotheymakeyoufeel?
6.Howcanyouhelptomakepeoplehappytoday?
Activities:
1.Havethestudentseachdrawapictureofthemselveswithadog,showinghowthedog
makesthemfeel.
2.Havethestudentsresearchonline(includingontheorganizations’websitesonPage32)
orinprintresourcesforpicturesofdogswhoappeartoexpressvariousfeelingsand
emotions,andthendiscussthosepicturesandrespectivefeelingsandemotionsinclass.Or,
showthestudentsthephotographsinExtraordinaryDogsandaskthemtoexpresshowthe
photographsmakethemfeel.
12
Lesson3:
HelpingOthersThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelppeopleinmanydifferentways.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoesitmeantohelpothers?
2.InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelpingpeople?
3.Inwhatwayshaveyouhelpedotherpeopleinyourlife?
4.Whatissomethingyoucandotodaytohelpotherpeople?
Activities:
1.Havethestudentseachdrawapictureofadogwhoishelpingsomeone.
2.Havethestudentsresearchonline(includingontheorganizations’websitesonPage32)
orinprintresourcesforpicturesofdogshelpingpeople,andthenpresentthephotostothe
class.
13
Lesson4:
WordstoBarkAboutVocabularywordsfordiscussion:
Love
Hope
Joy
Compassion
Courage
Hero
Help
Heal
Service
Faith
Community
Team
Volunteer
Extraordinary
Leadership
Advocacy
Calltoaction
Activities:
1.HaveeachstudentchooseoneofthedogsorhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsandeither
writealettertothemorcreateacardforthem,usingsomeofthevocabularywordsinthis
section.ThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogscaneachbereachedusingthe
addressesreferencedonPage32.Or,createcardsforthedogsatyourlocalanimalshelter,
orlocalservicedogs,policedogs,searchandrescuedogs,oranotherspecialdog.
2.Havethestudentseachchooseoneofthesevocabularywordsandcreateacollageor
othermulti-mediapiecedepictingwhatthewordmeanstothem.
14
Lesson5:
TeamPlayersThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsarepartofmanyteamswhoworktogether.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoesitmeantobepartofateam?
2.Howmanydifferentexamplesofteamscanyouname?
3.Whatteams,orgroups,areyouapartof?
4.InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogspartofateamorteams?
5.Whatdidyoulearnfromthedogsandhandlersaboutbeingateamplayer?
6.Whattalentsorattributesdoyouhavetocontributetoateam?
7.Whyisitimportanttoworktogetherwithotherpeople?
Activities:
1.Asaclass,createalistofallthewayspeopleworktogetherorcanworktogether.Then
haveeachstudentchooseoneexampleanddrawapicturedepictingit.
2.Asaclass,createaParticipatoryArtpiece.Onalargesheetofpaperorcanvas,haveeach
studentdrawsomething.Bytheend,allofthestudents’contributionswillcreateonefinal
artpiecethatisuniqueandcouldonlyhavebeencreatedbythemasateam.Oncefinished,
asaclass,discusstheartpiecewiththestudents.
Or,useaspecifictheme,suchasaflowergarden,agalaxyofstars,oratown.Giveeach
studentapieceofpaperandaskthemtodrawaspecificobject,suchasaflower,astar,ora
house/building/street.Thenhavethestudentspasstheirpaperstootherstudentswhowill
drawanotherflower,star,orhouse/building/street,dependingonwhichthemeyouare
using.Dothisuntileverystudenthasdrawn(andcoloredin)somethingoneverypieceof
paper,creatinguniqueflowergardens,galaxiesofstars,ortowns.
15
SixthtoEighthGrade
Foreachdiscussionoractivitybelow,eitherreadoneormoreoftheessaysofyourchoice
fromExtraordinaryDogstothestudentsorhavethestudentsreadanessay(s).
Lesson1:
Whatisahero?Whatisaleader?ThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsareheroesandleadersinmanyways.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoesthewordheromean?
2.Canyounamesomeheroes—bothfamousheroesandmorelocalheroes?
3.Whatisaleader?
4.Howisaheroalsoaleader?
5InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogseachaheroandaleader?
6.Inwhatwayscanyoubeahero—inschool,athome,inyourcommunity,inthecountry,
andintheworld?
7.Inwhatwayscanyoubealeader—inschool,athome,inyourcommunity,inthe
country,andintheworld?
Activities:
1.Usingprintandonlineresources,havethestudentscreateacollageofimagesandwords
thatdepictheroesandheroism,andleadersandleadership.
2.Invitealocalfirstresponderandtheirdogtovisityourclassroom.
16
Lesson2:
HappyDogs,HappyPeopleThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelpbringhappinessandhealingtopeople.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoesitmeantobehappyorsad?
2.Whataresomeotherfeelingsoremotionsthatyoungpeopleyouragehave,andwhy?
3.Whatarethemanymeaningsforthewordheal?
4.InwhatwaysdidthedogsinExtraordinaryDogshelppeople,andhowdidthatmake
thosepeoplefeel?
5.Doyouhaveadogorotherpet?Ifso,howdotheymakeyoufeel?
6.Howcanyouhelptomakepeoplehappytoday?
Activities:
1.Drawapictureofyourselfwithadog,andshowhowthedogmakesyoufeel,orwritea
paragraphsharingastoryabouthowadogorotheranimalhasmadeyoufeelbetter.
2.Haveeachstudentidentifythreetofivedifferentfeelingsoremotions,andthendrawor
otherwisecreatedogemojistodepictthosefeelingsoremotions.Or,showthestudentsthe
photographsinExtraordinaryDogsandaskthemtoexpresshowthephotographsmake
themfeel.
17
Lesson3:
CalltoActionThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelppeopleinmanydifferentways.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoescalltoactionmean?
2.HowarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsansweringacalltoaction?
3.Inwhatwayshaveyouansweredacalltoactionorhelpedotherpeopleinyourlife?
4.Whatissomethingyoucandotodaytohelpotherpeople?
Activities:
1.Ingroupsorindividually,havethestudentschooseoneoftheorganizationsfrom
ExtraordinaryDogs,whicharelistedalongwithwebsitesonPage32,toresearch.Usingthe
websites,essaysfromthebook,andanyotherresources,havethestudentsresearchthe
organizationsandthenpresenttheirfindingstotheclassinaformatofyourchoosing.
2.Havethestudentsresearchonline(includingontheorganizations’websitesonPage32)
orinprintresourcesforstoriesaboutdogshelpingpeople,andthenpresenttheirfindings
totheclass.
18
Lesson4:
WordstoBarkAboutVocabularywordsfordiscussion:
Love
Hope
Joy
Compassion
Courage
Hero
Help
Heal
Service
Faith
Community
Team
Volunteer
Extraordinary
Leadership
Advocacy
Calltoaction
Activities:
1.HavestudentseachchooseoneofthedogsorhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsandwrite
alettertothemusingsomeofthevocabularywordsinthissection.Thedogsandhandlers
inExtraordinaryDogscaneachbereachedusingtheaddressesreferencedonPage32.Or,
havethestudentseachwritealettertothedogsatalocalanimalshelter,orlocalservice
dogs,policedogs,searchandrescuedogs,oranotherspecialdog.
2.Havethestudentseachchooseoneofthesevocabularywordsandeitherwritea
personalreflectionorcreateacollagethatexpresseswhatthewordmeanstothem.
19
Lesson5:
TeamPlayersThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsarepartofmanyteamswhoworktogether.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoesitmeantobepartofateam?
2.Howmanydifferentexamplesofteamscanyouname?
3.Whatteams,orgroups,areyouapartof?
4.InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogspartofateamorteams?
5.Whatdidyoulearnfromthedogsandhandlersaboutbeingateamplayer?
6.Whattalentsorattributesdoyouhavetocontributetoateam?
7.Whyisitimportanttoworktogetherwithotherpeople?
Activities:
1.Dividetheclassintogroupsoffivetosevenstudents.Havethegroupsdiscussthe
followingquestions,andthenpresenttheircollectivefindingstotheclassasagroup.
Whatdoyoulikeanddislikeaboutworkinginateam?
Whatdoesitmeantocompromise?
Whyiscompromiseimportantwhenyouarepartofateam?
Howshouldateamleaderbechosen?
Howshouldyourroleinateambedefined?
Howhaveteamshadapositiveeffectatschool,inthecommunity,andinthecountry?
2.Asaclass,createaParticipatoryArtpiece.Onalargesheetofpaperorcanvas,haveeach
studentdrawsomething.Bytheend,allofthestudents’contributionswillcreateonefinal
artpiecethatisuniqueandcouldonlyhavebeencreatedbythemasateam.Oncefinished,
asaclass,discusstheartpiecewiththestudents.
20
NinthtoTwelfthGrade
Foreachdiscussionoractivitybelow,eitherreadoneormoreoftheessaysofyourchoice
fromExtraordinaryDogstothestudentsorhavethestudentsreadanessay(s).
Lesson1:
Whatisahero?Whatisaleader?ThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsareheroesandleadersinmanyways.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoesthewordheromean?
2.Canyounamesomeheroes—bothfamousheroesandmorelocalheroes?
3.Whatisaleader?
4.Howisaheroalsoaleader?
5InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogseachaheroandaleader?
6.Inwhatwayscanyoubeahero—inschool,athome,inyourcommunity,inthecountry,
andintheworld?
7.Inwhatwayscanyoubealeader—inschool,athome,inyourcommunity,inthe
country,andintheworld?
Activities:
1.Haveeachstudentidentifyaheroand/oraleaderinyourschoolorcommunity.Ineither
abriefessayoramulti-mediawork,havethestudentsexplainordepictwhythose
individualsareheroes/leaderstothem.
2.Invitealocalfirstresponderandtheirdogtovisityourclassroom.
21
Lesson2:
HappyDogs,HappyPeopleThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelpbringhappinessandhealingtopeople.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoesitmeantobehappyorsad?
2.Whataresomeotherfeelingsoremotionsthatyoungpeopleyouragehave,andwhy?
3.Whatarethemanymeaningsforthewordheal?
4.InwhatwaysdidthedogsinExtraordinaryDogshelppeople,andhowdidthatmake
thosepeoplefeel?
5.Doyouhaveadogorotherpet?Ifso,howdotheymakeyoufeel?
6.Howcanyouhelptomakepeoplehappytoday?
Activities:
1.Haveeachstudentidentifyadogintheirlifeoronetheyfindthroughresearch.Ineither
abriefessayoramulti-mediawork(suchasameme,video,PowerPoint,drawing,
sculpture,collage,orperformancepiecetheycreate),havethestudentsexplainordepict
whythosedogsmakethemlaughorhappy,orgenerallyfeelgood.
2.Haveeachstudentidentifythreetofivedifferentfeelingsoremotions,andthendrawor
otherwisecreatedogemojisormemestodepictthosefeelingsoremotions.Or,askeach
studenttotakeselfiesofthemselvesactingoutthosevariousemotions.Thenasaclass,
discusstheimages.
22
Lesson3:
CalltoActionThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelppeopleinmanydifferentways.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoescalltoactionmean?
2.HowarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsansweringacalltoaction?
3.Inwhatwayshaveyouansweredacalltoactioninyourlife?
4.Whatcausesareyoupassionateabout,andhowcanyouimpactthosecausesrightnow?
Activities:
1.Ingroupsorindividually,havethestudentschooseoneoftheorganizationsfrom
ExtraordinaryDogs,whicharelistedalongwithwebsitesonPage32,toresearch.Usingthe
websites,essaysfromthebook,andanyotherresources,havethestudentsresearchthe
organizationsandthenpresenttheirfindingstotheclassinaformatofyourchoosing.
2.Askeachstudenttocommittoexploringaserviceactivityatschoolorinthecommunity.
Brainstormalistofthepossibleactivitiestheycanmaybedo.Oncethestudentfulfillsthe
call-to-actionserviceactivity,havethemeitherwriteabriefessayordeliverabrief
presentationabouttheexperience.
23
Lesson4:
WordstoBarkAboutVocabularywordsfordiscussion:
Love
Hope
Joy
Compassion
Courage
Hero
Help
Heal
Service
Faith
Community
Team
Volunteer
Extraordinary
Leadership
Advocacy
Calltoaction
Activities:
1.HavestudentseachchooseoneofthedogsorhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsandwrite
alettertothemusingsomeofthevocabularywordsinthissection.Thedogsandhandlers
inExtraordinaryDogscaneachbereachedusingtheaddressesreferencedonPage32.Or,
havethestudentseachwritealettertothedogsatalocalanimalshelter,orlocalservice
dogs,policedogs,searchandrescuedogs,oranotherspecialdog.
2.Havethestudentseachchooseoneofthesevocabularywordsandeitherwritea
personalreflectionorcreateacollagethatexpresseswhatthewordmeanstothem.
24
Lesson5:
TeamPlayersThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsarepartofmanyteamswhoworktogether.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoesitmeantobepartofateam?
2.Howmanydifferentexamplesofteamscanyouname?
3.Whatteams,orgroups,areyouapartof?
4.InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogspartofateamorteams?
5.Whatdidyoulearnfromthedogsandhandlersaboutbeingateamplayer?
6.Whattalentsorattributesdoyouhavetocontributetoateam?
7.Whyisitimportanttoworktogetherwithotherpeople?
Activities:
1.Dividetheclassintogroupsoffivetosevenstudents.Havethegroupsdiscussthe
followingquestions,andthenpresenttheircollectivefindingstotheclassasagroup.
Whatdoyoulikeanddislikeaboutworkinginateam?
Whatdoesitmeantocompromise?
Whyiscompromiseimportantwhenyouarepartofateam?
Howshouldateamleaderbechosen?
Howshouldyourroleinateambedefined?
Howhaveteamshadapositiveeffectatschool,inthecommunity,andinthecountry?
2.Dividetheclassintogroupsoffivetosevenstudents.Havethestudentspretendtheyare
realityshowproducers.Theirgoalistodeveloparealityshowthatwouldbefilmedatthe
schoolandwouldbeaboutpeopleanddogsdoingpositivethingsforthecommunity.Have
eachgroupthenpresenttheirrealityshowconcepttotheclass.
25
College
Foreachdiscussionoractivitybelow,eitherreadoneormoreoftheessaysofyourchoice
fromExtraordinaryDogstothestudentsorhavethestudentsreadanessay(s).
Lesson1:
Whatisahero?Whatisaleader?ThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsareheroesandleadersinmanyways.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Intoday’sworld,whatdoesthewordheromeantoyou?
2.Canyounamesomeheroes—bothfamousheroesandmorelocalheroes?
3.Whatisaleader?
4.Howisaheroalsoaleader?
5InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogseachaheroandaleader?
6.Inwhatwayscanyoubeahero—oncampus,athome,inyourcommunity,inthe
country,andintheworld?
7.Inwhatwayscanyoubealeader—oncampus,athome,inyourcommunity,inthe
country,andintheworld?
Activities:
1.Haveeachstudentidentifyaheroand/oraleaderintheirlives—famousormore
personal.Ineitherabriefessayoramulti-mediawork,havethestudentsexplainordepict
whythoseindividualsareheroes/leaderstothem.
2.Invitealocalfirstresponderandtheirdogtovisityourclassroom.
26
Lesson2:
HappyDogs,HappyPeopleThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelpbringhappinessandhealingtopeople.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoesitmeantoyoutobehappyorsad?
2.Whataresomeotherfeelingsoremotionsthatyoungpeopleyouragehave,andwhy?
3.Whatarethemanymeaningsforthewordheal?
4.InwhatwaysdidthedogsinExtraordinaryDogshelppeople,andhowdidthatmake
thosepeoplefeel?
5.Doyouhaveadogorotherpet?Ifso,howdotheymakeyoufeel?
6.Howcanyouhelptomakepeoplehappytoday?
Activities:
1.Haveeachstudentidentifyadogintheirlifeoronetheyfindthroughresearch.Ineither
abriefessay,poem,oramulti-mediawork(suchasameme,video,PowerPoint,drawing,
sculpture,collage,orperformancepiecetheycreate),havethestudentsexplainordepict
whythosedogsmakethemlaughorhappy,orgenerallyfeelgood.
2.Haveeachstudentidentifythreetofivedifferentfeelingsoremotions,andthendrawor
otherwisecreatedogemojisormemestodepictthosefeelingsoremotions.Or,askeach
studenttotakeselfiesofthemselvesactingoutthosevariousemotions.Thenasaclass,
discusstheimages.
27
Lesson3:
CalltoActionThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelppeopleinmanydifferentways.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoescalltoactionmean?
2.HowarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsansweringacalltoaction?
3.Inwhatwayshaveyouansweredacalltoactioninyourlife?
4.Whatcausesareyoupassionateabout,andhowcanyouimpactthosecausesrightnow?
Activities:
1.Askeachstudenttocommittoexploringaserviceactivityoncampusorinthe
community.Brainstormalistofthepossibleactivitiestheycanmaybedo.Oncethestudent
fulfillsthecall-to-actionserviceactivity,havethemeitherwriteabriefessayordelivera
briefpresentationabouttheexperience.
2.Ingroupsorindividually,havethestudentschooseoneoftheorganizationsfrom
ExtraordinaryDogs,whicharelistedalongwithwebsitesonPage32,toresearch.Usingthe
websites,essaysfromthebook,andanyotherresources,havethestudentsresearchthe
organizationsandthenpresenttheirfindingstotheclassinaformatofyourchoosing.
28
Lesson4:
WordstoBarkAboutVocabularywordsfordiscussion:
Love
Hope
Joy
Compassion
Courage
Hero
Help
Heal
Service
Faith
Community
Team
Volunteer
Extraordinary
Leadership
Advocacy
Calltoaction
Activities:
1.HavestudentseachchooseoneofthedogsorhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsandwrite
alettertothemusingsomeofthevocabularywordsand/orconceptsabove.Thedogsand
handlersinExtraordinaryDogscaneachbereachedusingtheaddressesreferencedon
Page32.Or,havethestudentseachwritealettertothedogsatalocalanimalshelter,or
localservicedogs,policedogs,searchandrescuedogs,oranotherspecialdog.
2.Havethestudentseachchooseoneofthesevocabularywordsandeitherwritea
personalreflectionorcreateacollagethatexpresseswhatthewordmeanstothem.
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Lesson5:
TeamPlayersThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsarepartofmanyteamswhoworktogether.
DiscussionQuestions:
1.Whatdoesitmeantobepartofateam?
2.Howmanydifferentexamplesofteamscanyouname?
3.Whatteams,orgroups,areyouapartof?
4.InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogspartofateamorteams?
5.Whatdidyoulearnfromthedogsandhandlersaboutbeingateamplayer?
6.Whattalentsorattributesdoyouhavetocontributetoateam?
7.Whyisitimportanttoworktogetherwithotherpeople?
Activities:
1.Dividetheclassintogroupsoffivetosevenstudents.Havethegroupsdiscussthe
followingquestions,andthenpresenttheircollectivefindingstotheclassasagroup.
Whatdoyoulikeanddislikeaboutworkinginateam?
Whatdoesitmeantocompromise?
Whyiscompromiseimportantwhenyouarepartofateam?
Howshouldateamleaderbechosen?
Howshouldyourroleinateambedefined?
Howhaveteamshadapositiveeffectoncampus,inthecommunity,andinthecountry?
2.Dividetheclassintogroupsoffivetosevenstudents.Havethestudentspretendtheyare
realityshowproducers.Theirgoalistodeveloparealityshowthatwouldbefilmedon
campusandwouldbeaboutpeopleanddogsdoingpositivethingsforthecommunity.Have
eachgroupthenpresenttheirrealityshowconcepttotheclass.
30
BookClubDiscussionQuestions
1.WhichessayorstoryinExtraordinaryDogsinspiredorimpactedyouthemost?Please
explain.
2.WhatisthegreatestlessonyoulearnedfromtheessaysinExtraordinaryDogs?
3.InwhatwaysdidthestoriesinExtraordinaryDogssupportorchangethewayyouthink
aboutdogsorotheranimals?
4.Doyoucurrentlyhave,orhaveyoueverhad,apetorotherspecialanimalinyourlife?If
so,whatlessonsdidyoulearnfromthem?
5.EverydogandhandlerinExtraordinaryDogsexemplifiescourageandheroismin
variousways.Whatwerethemostinspiringandimpactfulexamplesofcourageand
heroismtoyoupersonallywithintheseessays?Howdidthesestoriesaffectyour
understandingofcourageandheroism?
6.ManyoftheessaysinExtraordinaryDogstakeyoubehindthescenesofsomeofthe
country’sbiggestheadliningtragediesanddisasters.Howdidthesefirst-handaccountsof
thedogsandhandlersimpactthewayyoupreviouslythoughtabouttheseevents?
7.WhatdidthestoriesinExtraordinaryDogsteachyouabouttheconnectionbetween
peopleanddogsorotheranimals?
8.AfterreadingtheessaysinExtraordinaryDogs,howhavethemeaningsofthefollowing
wordsandemotionschangedforyou:Love,hope,joy,compassion,faith,healing,courage,
hero,volunteer,andcommunityservice?
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9.WhatdidtheessaysinExtraordinaryDogsteachyouaboutpeopleandthehumanspirit?
10.Whatdoyouthinkitisaboutdogsthatmakethemperfectforbothworkingwithand
workingtohelppeople,whetheritisasSearchandRescuedogs,TSAdogs,ComfortDogs,
servicedogs,orascanineambassadors?
11.AfterreadingtheessaysinExtraordinaryDogs,howdoyouthinkyourcommunity
couldbenefitfromdogs?Or,aretherewaysinwhichdogsandotheranimalsalready
impactyourcommunityinapositiveway?
12.InwhatwaysdidthedogsportrayedinExtraordinaryDogsdemonstratethatdogsand
otheranimalscanbegoodforourmind,body,andspirit?
13.InwhatwaysisExtraordinaryDogsacalltoaction—locally,regionally,andnationally?
Howcanyouputthiscalltoactionintopracticewithinyourownlife?
14.ThemajorityofthehandlersportrayedinExtraordinaryDogsarevolunteersforthe
respectiveorganizations.Areyouavolunteerinsomeway?Ifso,wheredoyouvolunteer?
Howhasvolunteeringaffectedyou?Afterreadingthesestories,howhasyourideaof
volunteeringchanged?
15.Totallyimpossiblequestiontoanswer,buthereitgoes:WhichdoginExtraordinaryDogs
isyourfavorite,andwhy?
BONUS:TwosetsofpageswereleftblankattheendofExtraordinaryDogsafterthe
Acknowledgmentssection.JohnandLizencourageyoutonowaddphotosofthe
extraordinarydogsinyourlife,alongwithafewwordsabouthowveryspecialtheyareto
you.
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TheOrganizationsinExtraordinaryDogsTolearnmoreabouttheorganizationsinExtraordinaryDogs,ortofollowthemonsocial
media,pleasevisitthefollowingwebsites.
Ifyouarehavingyourstudentswritetooneofthedogsorhandlersinthebook,pleaseuse
thedog’sorhandler’snameincareofthemostrecentaddresslistedontheorganization’s
websitebelow.
LutheranChurchCharities
www.LutheranChurchCharities.org
NationalDisasterSearchDogFoundation
www.SearchDogFoundation.org
PuppyProdigies
www.SurfDogRicochet.com
ReturningSoldierInitiative
www.ReturningSoldierInitiative.com
SearchandRescueDogsoftheUnitedStates
www.sardogsus.org
TransportationSecurityAdministration
www.tsa.gov
TheVanderpumpDogFoundation
www.VanderpumpDogs.org
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AbouttheAuthorJohnSchlimmisaHarvard-trainededucator,artist,activist,andtheaward-winningauthor
of18previousbooks,includinghismemoirFiveYearsinHeaven.Alongtimeadvocatefor
dogsandothercauses,JohnisalsothecreatoroftheParticipatoryArtpiecesPlanting
COMPASSIONandTHESMILETHATCHANGEDTHEWORLD(isyours),whichhavebeen
installedacrossthecountry.HehasappearedonsuchnationalmediaoutletsasTheEllen
DeGeneresShow,Bravo'sWatchWhatHappensLive,MarthaStewart'sEverydayLiving,NPR,
QVC,andTheSplendidTable.
FormoreinformationaboutJohn,pleasevisit:www.JohnSchlimm.com
AboutthePhotographerLizStavrinidesisacritically-acclaimedphotographerandauthorofMiracleDogsRescue
Stories.Combiningherpassionforphotographywithherinfiniteloveofdogs,Liz’s
uniquelycreativestyleemanatesfromherlifelongpursuitofbeingaprofessional
photographer.Inadditiontoalsophotographingpeople,architecture,andinteriors,Lizhas
particularlycombinedtwoofhergreatestpassionsinlife—herloveforanimalsand
photography—intoameaningfulcareer.Unleashinghercreativeeyeinthestudioandon
location,LizexclusivelyusesFUJIFILMX/GFXSeriescameras.Herworkhasbeenpublished
andexhibitedwidely,includinginModernCat,CarmelMagazine,PebbleBeach–The
Magazine,CoastalCanine,andFujiLoveMagazine.
FormoreinformationaboutLiz,pleasevisit:www.lovedogandco.com