Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days by Stephen Manes captivates young minds through the power of literature. It is a great novel for teachers seeking to infuse creativity, critical thinking, and moral lessons into their classrooms.
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Benefits of Using Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days in Your Classroom:
Offers Captivating Storytelling: At the heart of Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days lies a captivating narrative that follows the misadventures of Milo Crinkley, a young boy on a quest to become perfect in a mere three days. Manes’ storytelling prowess shines through his vivid descriptions, witty dialogue, and relatable characters, making the journey both entertaining and thought-provoking for readers of all ages. By immersing students in this whimsical tale, teachers can ignite their imagination and instill a passion for reading that transcends the confines of the classroom.
Contains Themes of Self-Discovery and Acceptance:Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days explores the timeless themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the pursuit of perfection. As Milo embarks on his quest, he encounters a series of challenges that force him to confront his flaws and embrace his true self. This narrative arc provides teachers with a powerful springboard for discussing topics such as identity, self-esteem, and the importance of embracing one’s imperfections. By exploring these themes through the lens of literature, educators can empower their students to navigate the complexities of adolescence with confidence and resilience.
Promotes Critical Thinking and Empathy: In addition to its thematic richness, Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days offers ample opportunities for critical thinking and empathetic engagement. As students unravel Milo’s journey, they are prompted to analyze his motivations, actions, and the consequences of his choices. Through lively classroom discussions and interactive activities, teachers can encourage students to empathize with Milo’s struggles, reflect on their own values, and consider the broader implications of societal pressures to conform. By fostering empathy and critical thinking skills, educators equip their students with the tools they need to navigate moral dilemmas and contribute positively to their communities.
Cultivates a Love for Learning: Ultimately, the integration of Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days into the classroom cultivates a love for learning that extends far beyond the pages of the novel. By fostering a supportive environment where students feel encouraged to explore, question, and create, teachers lay the groundwork for a lifelong appreciation of literature and the arts. Whether through creative writing assignments, theatrical adaptations, or multimedia projects, educators can harness the transformative power of storytelling to inspire their students and nurture their intellectual curiosity.
In an age of standardized testing and data-driven instruction, it is easy to overlook the profound impact that literature can have on the hearts and minds of young learners. However, by embracing novels such as Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days by Stephen Manes, teachers can encourage their students to become compassionate, critical thinkers who are unafraid to embrace their imperfections.
I offer a complete novel studyto accompany Be a Perfect in Just Three Days for use in the classroom or homeschool. The unit includes both a printable format and a Google Drive™ format for use in a paperless classroom or with Google Classroom.
Try a free sample of the novel study for Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
March 1st is Statehood Day in the state of Nebraska. We will be celebrating 159 years since officially becoming the 37th state on March 1, 1867!
I moved to Omaha, NE, for my first teaching job back in 1995. My assignment was 4th grade. The largest part of the 4th-grade Social Studies curriculum is teaching Nebraska History. I had just moved to Nebraska, living here for only 2 months. Omaha was the only part of Nebraska I had ever been in! If you are familiar with a Nebraska map, you will see that Omaha is on the extreme east side of the state; you don’t even need to drive through other areas of Nebraska to arrive in Omaha. You head over the Missouri River (Iowa border) on I-80 or I-29 and go directly into Omaha. So, needless to say, I had no background knowledge of the state of Nebraska or its history!
In addition to a lack of personal experience, the district gave me ZERO resources to use to teach this curriculum, no textbooks, no informational books, no teacher’s manuals, nothing, zero, zip! So to say I really was not qualified or prepared to teach this required Social Studies curriculum is an understatement!
I made it through that first year, how I’m not quite sure? I learned about Nebraska right along with my students. The second year, I was able to start to refine the resources that I created, and by the third year, it was looking even better. The silver lining of the experience is that by being given nothing, I was able to refine my creating skills and have been able to utilize those skills with my The Teaching Bankadventures!
When my son was in 4th grade, his teacher contacted me asking if I had any resources to help with her Nebraska Unit. I enjoy sharing my resources with my children’s teachers, and her email sparked an idea to create a product line using the materials I had created for my own classroom. I would have been in heaven to have something like this available in my first year of teaching! So with that, my Complete Nebraska State Study Interactive Notebook Unit was born!
I do understand that this product doesn’t have the widest audience, mainly Nebraska teachers! I created it with 11 distinct sections that can be used in isolation or as a full-year curriculum so that teachers can pick and choose to fit their needs. This also allowed me to offer the Lewis & Clark section and The Oregon Trail section as separate, stand-alone items to market to the wider US audience. You don’t have to be a Nebraska teacher to use either of those!
Section 1: Nebraska Maps, covers Nebraska’s location within the United States, surrounding states, populous cities, regions, waterways/aquifers, and weather.
Section 2: Nebraska State Symbols & Government, covers Nebraska’s flag, seal, state symbols (bird, tree, etc), federal government representatives, state representatives, introduction to the Unicameral Legislature, and the steps of how a bill becomes a law.
Section 4: Prehistoric Nebraska, covers Nebraska during Prehistoric times. Activities include vocabulary, Ashfall Fossil Beds, animals in Nebraska during the Ice Age, and the first humans in Nebraska.
Section 5: Indigenous Peoples of Nebraska, covers the tribes of Nebraska, the study of an Earthlodge, Earthlodge vs. Tipi comparison, and investigates the many uses of the bison.
Section 6: Lewis and Clark, covers the location and exploration of the Louisiana Purchase, maps the journey of Lewis & Clark, investigates supplies needed for the journey, a timeline of the journey, journals the journey, and examines the impact of the exploration. *This section is not Nebraska-specific and can be used nationwide!
Section 7: The Oregon Trail, covers the first pioneer settlers, mapping the Oregon Trail, investigating reasons for traveling the Oregon Trail, researching supplies needed for the journey, hardships endured, journaling the journey, and the Mormon Trail. *This section is not Nebraska-specific and can be used nationwide!
Section 8: Nebraska’s Road to Statehood,covers Nebraska’s road to statehood, including activities for the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the Homestead Act, housing on the prairie, life of a pioneer child, the impact of the railroad on NE, and NE becomes a state.
Section 9: The Age of Progress in Nebraksa 1870-20th Century, covers how the issues (suffrage, prohibition, race relations, Native Americans, child labor, workers’ rights, election reforms, political reforms, and anti-monopoly reforms) during this time period affected the people of Nebraska.
Section 10: WWII and the Cold War, includes 2 informational articles along with activities touching on Nebraska’s role in World War II, the Cold War, and the role of SAC and STRATCOM.
All of these sections are available on their own, so you can tailor them to your own classroom needs. You can also buy the entire unit together as one bundle at a reduced cost.
This can save you money, and it includes everything you need to teach your entire state study for Nebraska. The alignment to the newly adopted 2019 Nebraska 4th Grade Social Studies State Standards is included with every section to make planning even easier!
In creating my resources, I made a conscious effort to use only historical images and clip art. I know there are a lot of resources out there that utilize cutesy type clip art in their history products with a goal to entice children into thinking it is “fun”. I don’t subscribe to that line of thinking, especially when dealing with topics such as war, slavery, genocide, or in the depiction of indigenous people, enslaved people, or immigrants. I feel very strongly that using cartoonish imagery sends the wrong message to students, preventing them from seeing the people and events as real and serious in nature.
You don’t have to make these topics “fun”, but you can very easily make these topics interesting through deep discussions. Children are naturally empathetic and tolerant. It is a perfect time to tap into that empathy and tolerance as they learn of the atrocities of the past. This doesn’t need to be sensationalized or cutesy; these discussions of the events of the past taught in an honest and real depiction will engage the student’s interest. The deep discussions you have as you learn together will spark an understanding and appreciation for what has come before and hopefully will lead to the goal of learning this uncomfortable history, which is not to repeat it.
I hope this product can be the lifesaver for you that it would have been for me back in that first year of teaching! This covers everything that you need for the Nebraska study in an interactive way. Your students will be motivated, involved, and at the end have their very own Nebraska State Guide!
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr is a book that has been widely used in classrooms around the world. It is a story that teaches children about the horrors of war and the importance of peace.
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There are also many reasons you should use Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes in your classroom.
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes is a classic: Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes was first published in 1977 and has since become a classic children’s book. It has been translated into many languages and has been read by children all over the world. By using this book in your classroom, you are exposing your students to a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time.
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes help teach important life lessons: Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes teach children about the importance of perseverance, determination, and hope. It also shows the devastating effects of war and the importance of peace. These are important life lessons that will stay with your students long after they leave your classroom.
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes promotes creativity: The book is centered around the Japanese tradition of folding paper cranes. By using this book in your classroom, you can encourage your students to be creative and explore different art forms. You can also use it as an opportunity to teach them about Japanese culture.
Using Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes is a great way to teach about history: Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes takes place in Japan in the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. By using this book in your classroom, you can teach your students about this important event in history and the impact it had on the world.
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes can be used to teach language skills: The book is written in English, but it also includes Japanese words and phrases. This can be a great opportunity to introduce your students to other languages and cultures. You can also use the book to teach them new vocabulary words and grammar concepts.
Try a free sample of the novel study for Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes is an inspiring story of friendship, empathy, and perseverance despite facing the greatest odds, and is a great tie to History. Using this novel in your classroom can provide many benefits to your students.
I offer a complete novel study to accompany Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes for use in the classroom or homeschool. The unit includes both a printable format and a Google Drive™ format for use in a paperless classroom or with Google Classroom.
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
Are you looking for an engaging Out of My Heart novel study to help your students dig deeper into Sharon M. Draper’s powerful story?
Out of My Heart is an excellent choice for upper elementary and middle school readers because it gives students an opportunity to explore important themes such as friendship, independence, courage, inclusion, empathy, resilience, and overcoming challenges—all while building essential reading and writing skills.
If you’re planning to teach Out of My Heart in your 4th, 5th, or 6th grade classroom, a well-designed novel unit can make it much easier to turn this powerful story into a meaningful ELA experience.
Meet author Sharon M. Draper as she reads an excerpt from her new novel, Out of My Heart.
📚 What Is Out of My Heart About?
Sharon M. Draper’s Out of My Heart introduces readers to Melody Brooks, the memorable protagonist from Out of My Mind.
Melody is a bright, curious girl with cerebral palsy who is approaching her teenage years. Although her disability affects her ability to communicate and participate in many activities, Melody has the same hopes, dreams, fears, and desire for independence as other girls her age.
In Out of My Heart, Melody gets an opportunity to experience something new when she attends summer camp.
For Melody, summer camp isn’t simply a vacation. It becomes an opportunity to make friends, try new things, develop greater independence, and discover that she can accomplish more than she—or others—may have believed possible.
That makes Out of My Heart an especially valuable novel for classroom discussion.
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❤️ Why Teach Out of My Heart?
There are many reasons this novel works so well in an upper elementary or middle school classroom.
1. Students Explore Disability and Inclusion
One of the most important aspects of Out of My Heart is its portrayal of a young person with cerebral palsy.
Melody’s experiences can help students think about accessibility, inclusion, assumptions about people with disabilities, and the importance of seeing the person rather than the disability.
The novel provides natural opportunities for classroom conversations about how people can experience the world differently and why inclusion matters.
2. It Encourages Empathy
Melody wants many of the same things other teenagers want: friends, independence, adventure, and the opportunity to make her own choices.
Reading about Melody’s experiences allows students to consider situations from another person’s perspective.
This makes Out of My Heart an excellent novel for developing empathy and perspective-taking alongside reading comprehension skills.
3. It Addresses Courage and Resilience
Melody faces challenges throughout the story, but she doesn’t allow those challenges to define what she can accomplish.
Students can discuss what courage really means and how resilience can help people move beyond fear and uncertainty.
These themes can lead to meaningful writing prompts, class discussions, and reading responses.
4. Friendship Is at the Heart of the Story
Friendship is another important theme throughout Out of My Heart.
Melody wants genuine friendships and opportunities to connect with other people. Her experiences provide plenty of opportunities for students to analyze character relationships, character development, conflict, and the qualities of a good friend.
📖 Out of My Heart Is a Great Choice for a Novel Study
Because the novel contains so many meaningful themes and character-development opportunities, it lends itself naturally to a chapter-by-chapter novel study.
Students can work on:
Reading comprehension
Vocabulary
Character analysis
Character development
Story elements
Making inferences
Supporting answers with evidence
Theme
Written responses
Critical thinking
Informational reading
Research skills
Rather than simply asking students to read the book and complete a worksheet, a novel study can help them think deeply about what they’re reading and connect the story to larger ideas.
🔎 Extend the Learning Beyond the Novel
One of my favorite things about using Out of My Heart as a classroom novel is the opportunity to connect the fictional story to informational learning.
Students can learn more about cerebral palsy and Down syndrome through research activities and WebQuests.
These connections allow students to practice informational reading and research skills while developing a better understanding of disabilities and the experiences of others.
This is a wonderful way to move beyond simply asking, “What happened in the chapter?” and instead encourage students to ask, “What can I learn from this story?”
✏️ Looking for an Out of My Heart Novel Study?
If you don’t want to spend your evenings creating comprehension questions, vocabulary activities, writing assignments, assessments, and research activities, I’ve created a complete, no-prep Out of My Heart novel study to make teaching this book easier.
The Out of My Heart Novel Study for Grades 4–6 includes both printable and digital resources, so you can choose the format that works best for your classroom.
Your Complete Out of My Heart Novel Unit Includes:
Daily lesson plans
Chapter-by-chapter comprehension questions
Vocabulary activities
Grammar activities
Writing activities
Reading responses
Story elements activities
Character and theme exploration
Cerebral Palsy WebQuest and brochure activity
Down Syndrome WebQuest and brochure activity
End-of-book activities
Vocabulary word wall
Reading assessments
Teacher answer keys
Common Core standards alignment
Printable PDF resources
Google Drive™ resources
Google Slides™ activities
Google Forms™ assessments
Self-grading digital quizzes
That’s everything you need to turn Out of My Heart into a complete ELA novel unit without spending hours creating materials yourself.
💻 Printable AND Digital Novel Study
Do you teach in a paperless classroom?
No problem!
The Out of My Heart novel study includes digital resources that can be used with Google Drive™ and Google Classroom™, giving you flexibility whether your students work with printed materials, digital assignments, or a combination of both.
This makes the unit useful for:
Whole-class novel instruction
Small-group reading
Literature circles
Independent reading
Reading intervention
Homeschool
Digital learning
Distance learning
🎯 Aligned to Common Core ELA Standards
The activities in this Out of My Heart novel study are designed to address important ELA skills, including reading literature, reading informational text, writing, vocabulary, language, speaking, listening, and critical thinking.
Students aren’t simply answering questions about what happened in the story. They’re practicing skills they can transfer to other texts and reading situations.
🌟 A Meaningful Novel for Meaningful Learning
Out of My Heart is more than a story about a girl attending summer camp.
It’s a story about finding friendship, gaining independence, facing fears, discovering possibilities, and refusing to let other people’s assumptions determine what you can accomplish.
For teachers, that makes it a wonderful opportunity to combine strong literacy instruction with meaningful conversations about disability, inclusion, empathy, friendship, courage, and resilience.
And with a complete novel study, you don’t have to spend hours figuring out how to turn those themes into classroom activities.
👉 Download the FREE PREVIEW to see what’s included before you purchase.
👉 Get the Out of My Heart Novel Study
Ready to make teaching Out of My Heart easier?
Check out the complete Out of My Heart Novel Study for Grades 4–6 and get everything you need for a ready-to-teach, standards-aligned novel unit.
💬 Connect with Fellow Educators!
Are you teaching Out of My Heart this school year? How do you celebrate kindness in your classroom?
Join our free community, Book Talk with The Teaching Bank, to share ideas, grab freebies, and connect with 3rd–8th grade teachers using novels in the classroom!
*The Teaching Bank participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.
Are you looking for a funny, engaging, and thought-provoking novel to enhance your students’ literacy skills and foster their love for reading? If so, consider using “Wayside School is Falling Down” by Louis Sachar in your classroom. This beloved children’s book, first published in 1989, has stood the test of time and captivated generations of readers with its quirky characters, imaginative plot, and subtle humor.
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How Wayside School is Falling Down can benefit your students:
Engaging Storyline: Wayside School is Falling Down is a hilarious and engaging book that will capture your students’ attention from the very beginning. The storyline follows the antics of the students and teachers at Wayside School, a school that was accidentally built 30 stories high with one classroom on each floor. The zany adventures that ensue are sure to entertain your students while also teaching important lessons.
Promotes Reading Comprehension: Wayside School is Falling Down is a challenging yet accessible book that can help students improve their reading comprehension skills. By following the misadventures of the students and teachers of Wayside School, students can learn to identify and analyze plot elements, such as exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. They can also practice making predictions, connections, inferences, and evaluations based on the text. Moreover, the book’s witty and ironic tone can help students appreciate the subtleties of language and humor, as well as develop their sense of empathy and imagination.
Cultivates Critical Thinking and Creativity: Wayside School is Falling Down is not only a fun book but also a clever one that challenges students to think critically and creatively. For instance, the book presents absurd situations, such as a teacher turning into an apple or a student floating away with balloons, that require students to suspend their disbelief and imagine alternative explanations. It also features complex characters, such as Mrs. Jewls, the eccentric teacher who teaches on the 30th floor, who can inspire students to question stereotypes, assumptions, and conventions. By engaging with such challenges, students can enhance their problem-solving skills, their ability to see things from different perspectives and their confidence in their own ideas. You can also use the book as a jumping-off point for creative writing assignments or art projects.
Teaches Important Life Lessons: Wayside School is Falling Down teaches important life lessons in a fun and engaging way. Through the book’s various characters and situations, your students will learn about the importance of honesty, teamwork, and perseverance.
Boosts Vocabulary and Language Skills: Wayside School is Falling Down is an excellent book for boosting vocabulary and language skills. The book includes plenty of new words and phrases that your students may not be familiar with, which can help expand their vocabulary. Additionally, the book’s engaging storytelling will help your students develop their language skills, including grammar, sentence structure, and more.
Try a free sample of the novel study for Wayside School is Falling Down
By using Wayside School is Falling Down in your classroom, you can provide your students with a fun and engaging reading experience while also teaching important life lessons and developing essential academic skills. So if you’re looking for a book that will benefit your students, Wayside School is Falling Down is an excellent choice.
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
