This month we’re giving away the complete set of Together in Our World books. This series addresses issues children might hear about in the news and may not understand. In a straightforward and kid-friendly way, these picture books explain tough topics and offer readers ideas for what they can do to help make the world a better, fairer place. One lucky reader will win:
To Enter: Leave a comment below describing how you help kids understand their place in the world.
For additional entries, leave a separate comment below for each of the following tasks you complete:
Each comment counts as a separate entry. Entries must be received by midnight, July 24, 2020.
The winner will be contacted via email on or around July 27, 2020, and will need to respond within 72 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way affiliated with, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. Winner must be a US resident, 18 years of age or older.
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© 2020 by Free Spirit Publishing. All rights reserved. The view expressed in this post represent the opinion of the author and not necessarily Free Spirit Publishing.
We map out how positive behaviors can impact others
I am a home daycare provider and I work with children birth to school age. During the summer we often have school age children. Since the age gap is wide at different parts of the year, we have different age appropriate conversations and activities. However, the message is always the same, that every person, every animal, every body of water and every plant is precious and needs to be protected. We always have a bag and gloves with us to pick up trash along our walk and talk about protecting the earth and wild animals, we look for and discuss different trees and fruits, nuts or leaves and what color they are, sometimes stopping to draw them. We have a garden, orchard and berries that the kids participate in when they can. We play outdoors as much as possible. Recycling vs. trash is a natural part of our conversations when they throw things away themselves so they get it in the right bin. We have a trash and recycle truck that they watch every week take our trash and recycling. We encourage children to bring in some toys for kids younger than them to play with when they outgrow them. This makes them feel good and teaches them a valuable lesson. These things are part of our everyday experiences. To encourage speech, we talk about absolutely everything. I am sure there is more, but that is all I can think of for now.
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To be honest, I need to do a better job of this. Right now, I work to help students manage their big feelings and learn how to be kind to others.
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I try to empower kids by showing them examples of things other kids do. I also read a lot of picture books and engage in conversations and discussions. I talk to kids as people, and value their opinions and what they have to say.
I would love to put this set in our Little Free Library! It would be great for the kiddos in the community!
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I’d love to win this set! As a school social worker I provide ongoing school-wide SEL and these books will be helpful to teach students important skills to get through this pandemic. These look like great books!!
Whether discussing Social Emotional Learning, Character Education, Civics, Service Learning, or Child Centered Learning, Free Spirit Publications provides the “go to” resources that I need to help teacher candidates move from theory to practice.
As a school-based therapist in an elementary school, I often work with students who feel as if they do not have a significant, meaningful or positive place in the world. I like to share books that help students recognize that they might not YET feel like they’ve found their place, but that they will!
As a librarian we read all sorts of books about our world and how things work. I love celebrating Earth Day and we read various books about caring for our earth and how animals play a big role in our environment and what we do affects all of us. This collection would be a nice addition for our students to read.
Understanding our place in the world comes through caring. Caring about the earth and it’s inhabitants. If we really care, we are care Full, and we treat our earth and all who dwell, including plant, animal and human species with respect and love. I think it can be taught in how we act and respond to each other.Teaching children wonder at how beautiful our earth is and it’s diversity is how we begin.
As an art teacher I am always discussing with students how they can make the world a better place and how they can portray what they know through their artwork. Students use their artwork to teach others as well.
We start our day with our journals and one of our favorite daily quotes is sharing is caring, so I have my students share if I could…..to make a better world for all of our special and loved ….. What can I do to make it better and make the changes needed from the smallest act of kindness to a simple smile! I would love to add this book to our classroom and share with my coworkers
We do this through reading books but mostly through everyday conversations.
I have the distinct privilege of working with all of the School Counselors that work in each of our 12 elementary schools. We have one/school.
Our focus is on serving ALL students at the Tier 1 level by teaching, modeling, and mentoring the five CASEL competencies. We also recognize and champion students needing Tier 2 and Tier 3 support.
Our preschool classrooms are typically diverse, so just helping children become a part of the classroom community/family by teaching social/emotional skills is a great way to start.
Sometimes because We have such young kids with young parents, we have to remember that we are the only way these children will know that they matter in this world because their parents are learning how. So, through love, sweat, tears, getting eye to eye with them, to show them how important they are to this world, listening to them, and including them we can make them feel as special to this world as they are. Ever child deserves this.
I like to share with children that we are all important. Every single one of us in the world has something to offer.
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I teach high school students with severe multiple disabilities. WE have a service-learning project to make greeting cards and crafts for a local nursing home, food bank, and students’ bus drivers. I incorporate citizenship, social-emotional learning, behaviors, rules, and character education. These books would be a useful addition to our library.
Actions speak louder than words: I teach high school students, and constantly think about how I am acting in each situation. Sometimes students can be challenging. I try to think carefully about what I will say and do before I react too quickly. I am certainly not perfect! And when I make a mistake, I take responsibility for what I have said or done, and speak to the person I have wronged and attempt to make it right.
Such amazing comments by all of you! I would add it all begins with stories – creating an inclusive atmosphere where our individual stories can be told and shared. I encourage my students to amplify their voices through narrative writings. I always tell my 2nd graders we are all blessed with 2 ears and a mouth so we can listen twice as much as we speak. By listening we discover the invisible thread that connects us regardless of our backgrounds. I incorporate mindfulness to curriculum content because mindfulness is listening with curiosity and kindness. I am proud to make responsive classroom practices part of my teaching pedagogy so each child truly feels welcomed, accepted, significant, and safe to be their authentic self. I am always on the prowl for culturally diverse books to celebrate authors and stories that inspire our shared humanity. Thank you!
We talk about our responsibility to take care of the world and to stand for others who are being belittled or mistreated.
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We do this through reading books but mostly through conversations. We discuss how people may look or feel differently but still want the same things deep down–to be safe and feel loved.
I follow you on Twitter (@ShauntrellLeaks.) Thanks for the opportunity to win these books.
I help my students understand their place in the world by listening to them and answering their questions from a first graders point of view.
When I was an elementary counselor (currently a stay at home mom to my 4 year old daughter), I always tried to teach my students that it is their right and obligation to stand up to bullying and mistreatment of others (I used MANY Free Spirit Publishing books in my 9 year career, especially the books teaching children what it means to be an UPstander). And by doing so, they become responsible and caring young people and make the world a better place.
What perfect books to help with making this a better world. Thanks!
I help children learn about their world by encouraging their parents to help them learn about the world through my newspaper column SUPPORTING SUPER STUDENTS.
I help children understand their place in the world by building positive, nurturing relationships with caregivers which show how important their role is in this process.
These are fabulous! I would love to use these when the kids and I work together to develop our class norms and talk about their individual significance in this world!
These books are making my wheels spin. This would be great to incorporate quarterly with an activity. Read the book, activity, discuss. These are 4 great titles to teach kids through literacy and engagement.
I help students understand their place in the world by having them be a part of the world. We do this through Project Based Learning that connect them to the real world.
My children are 4 and 7. They know nothing about different races. What I mean is that if people are good to you then you are good to them. A color is only a color in the rainbow. We are all part of the rainbow and make the world a beautiful place. If one color is left out everything changes. We enjoy our share of rainbows all over the world.
I talk to them, I listen to them, and I make them as much of an equal as me. I am so different from height, culture, my physical disability and my diabetes. I always tell them that even tough I’m different we are the same. I have them use their words and treat others kindly and respectfully.
In our classroom, we (teachers) model how to take care of our class and our environment. We also acknowledge the children`s feelings about different social situations and try to teach coping skills. We talk about how each of us is unique and special. We also have pictures of diverse cultures on the walls and provide learning experiences that are unique to culture. We teach empathy by showing concern for each other when someone may be upset, sad, or angry. We use lots of praise when a child shows concern for a friend.
I help children understand their place in the world by first instilling a love, compassion and respect for not only for themselves and other humans, but the whole world around them. I lead by example, showing them respect regardless of age, race, religion, abilities, and work diligently to teach them how to do the same to themselves and others. I work to build their self-esteem and sense of importance in the world. In the great words of Dr. Seuss, “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”
Thank you for these resources to assist teachers in helping students to understand their world. In the classroom, I attempt to help students understand this concept through drawing and designing maps of the school, neighborhood and community, engaging in field trips in the community, bringing in outside speakers that represent all sorts of aspects of the community and setting up virtual pen pals.
The children can help with not littering and helping their parents understand the importance of not littering too.
I do a small lesson on recycling with my students who are ages 3 to 5 years old. I can honestly say that the children learn this concept as well as they remind each other on how to help the Earth when a friend forgets.
The children in my classroom are of different culture and is one of the reasons why I took a two year course in ELL and Bilingual Education from the Erickson Institute of Chicago. I believe that no one should be force to give with they are.
Equality for all is a big deal for me. As a female, I was told what I could do and what i should not do. Thanks to my mother who taught me that can I believe in myself there is nothing I couldn’t do. As a result, I allow my students to play roles of the opposite sex. Girls can play the role usually males do and boys can play the roles that females do.
Rules and regulations are very important in order to help thing run soothly. There is less chaos.
People can get along better and are nicer too. This helps in the classroom and keeps the children safe.
Wow you have touched on four topics that I feel very strong about. These books well assist in teaching my students the importance of each and every one.
Thank you for the opportunity
Ada C. Miranda
We would love this series of books to aid our home visitors in properly addressing these sensitive topics. Because we are in a very rural area without much diversity we feel it is vitally important to educate young children on these topics as they grow and find their place in the world.
Using children’s books with diverse characters in diverse roles exposes children to positive images of themselves.
talk to them! listen to them!
We start with who they are and what traditions, habits generate their family and our school culture. Then we branch out from there.
I read age appropriate stories to them about how they can better understand the world we live in!
We celebrate kindness day in November, as well as Random Acts of Kindness week in February. We use story times, crafts, outreach projects for our community, and create book lists themed to subjects of diversity, kindness and the seasons.
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As a public librarian, I spend a lot of time helping kids find books that reflect their experiences as well as books that may help open their eyes to the experiences of others. <3
I help kids understand their place in the world by highlighting inspirational people. Then we discuss how we can each emulate them and inspire others.
In my classroom , we study worldwide culture and diversity by reading books, and online learning. I allow conversations to take place in my classroom by stepping back and facilitating the conversation. Students love taking virtual fieldtrips though our county’s Nearpod subscription as well.
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Thank you
We use naturally occurring opportunities to talk about their place in the world and incorporate perspective taking.
Excellent series. Thank you for being intentional.
As a library media specialist, I make sure to have books available not only for students but also for teachers. I try to build onto what is happening in the classroom. That being said, so many lessons have the ability to show students how they can make a difference even in the smallest of ways and see how they fit into this world of ours.
I like to teach kids how to be mindful, respectful , responsible and educated on how the planet we live should be cared for in order for us to have a healthy and safe environment.
I liked the page on Facebook and can’t wait to see more of the post from the page!
I talk to them about what they can do to make the world a better place. We also talk about how not everyone is the same and everyone has something very unique about themselves! We love learning about other people and places.
In my position at my school, I’m lucky to lead a 5th grade leadership team. We do service projects and complete many helpful tasks regularly during the school week. They learn how their actions affect others and how being respectful and responsible creates a healthy school climate.
I do activities.
Applying knowledge from webinars.
I read books.
By building relationships with the children and families.
It is important to share with each other’s “place” in this world knowing that it takes their place here to create a World of one, where we can live in unity and in Peace. The struggle is real, but it is not impossible and together we will succeed. As a teacher, this action begins in my classroom where all cultures come together as one.
I help children realize that we all have more in common than not.
In my classroom (in person and through Google Meet) we talk about real life issues that are happening to us in our classroom and school community as well what is happening in the world around us. Books are an essential aspect to making our conversations accessible. Books are an excellent way to begin these conversations.
this looks like s great series to help students!
Hello, My name is Lisa! I feel that I help children understand their place in the world by just listening. Every child no matter the age wants to be heard and feel like they matter. When we give children a sense of security and confidence then they are able to go out into the world and adhere to whatever life brings to them.
Always working to help my students know that they are important to the world. Encourage them to voice their opinion [within courtesy parameters] and to listen to others.
I’m a school psychologist in an elementary school and I often use books to help teacher social skills and character development. I have run group sessions, as well as push into classroom for lessons.
I incorporate and read many different books that talk about diversity, family, and how kids are unique in their own special way.
I help students understand their place in the world by implementing SEL supports for adults and students that promote equity. I ensure students have the opportunity to engage in discussions, identify problems and solutions in their school/community, and learn ways to productively challenge the inequities they see.
I currently work with teachers and model lessons with real children and approve grants for improved curriculum and instruction as a state educational consultant. It is essential we have more resources to develop these skills with staff and students.
I strive to provide a nonjudgmental space for processing and reflecting in order to help kids understand their place within the world. As an elementary counselor, it’s so important to highlight the possibilities that exist ahead to speak up and change the world!
We help children understand their place in the world by working to support relationships in the classroom at the preschool level. This means observing children’s interactions and believing that children come to all interactions with positive intent to connect with peers and be known by others. This doesn’t always look like pro-social behavior. It often means providing reassuring support when they have conflicts and helping them learn to manage their feelings and solve problems in ways that are agreed upon by everyone within the issue. Finding their place in the classroom also includes learning how to develop friendships, which comes in many forms- from letting them sit where they want for eating or circle times, to creating opportunities for collaborative play/projects or having meaningful classroom jobs that are done in pairs. There are so many ways we can support children’s identity as belonging to part of a loving community.
Our team is planning to focus on diversity as our K-2 theme for the upcoming year. Looking at not only how we are different but also how we are the same.
I help my kids by giving them positive words to use in situation that will be an essential later in life.
I make sure not to shy away from questions kids ask on these topics – it’s critical to talk with them, in an age appropriate manner, to have an open dialogue. Love the idea of books like this to support these conversations.
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Thank you for doing this give away! At home we make sure to read a ton of various books and have open conversations with our kids about who they are and what makes them happy. At my job we work with kids of varying disabilities and we work on helping them find their independence and their place in the world by showing them all of the amazing skills and things they can accomplish.
I help kids understand their place in the world by first helping them figure out their own identity, then those of the people around them.
This would be a perfect series for our 11.12 grade communications class to read with elementary classes. We are always looking for ways to bring students together to support each other in our K-12 building.
In Kindergarten, we focus a great deal on building a classroom community and then expand that to understanding our local community. We have developed experiences to get out and visit places that are near our school (post office, grocery store, dance/music studio, restaurant, bank, fire station, high school – science labs, library) and bring in guests from the police, school based helpers – custodian, office help, support services, food service. We have the children earn money by doing extra jobs at their home and neighborhood and vote as a grade on who to help by making a charitable donation (we’ve given to a local women’s shelter, Unicef, Food pantry, homeless shelter in nearby city) with all the coins they earn being counted on our trip to the bank. Kindergarteners are ready to take on more learning about the wider world and community issues with the support of trusted adults. We will be focusing on using diverse literature, representing all of our BIPOC families to meet the Teaching Tolerance social justice standards this year – especially learning about identity and celebrating our differences in K. The understanding of how we are all connected needs to start with the youngest children to really make needed change in our world.
I make sure children know their opinions count & they can make a difference. We discuss problems of the world & brainstorm solutions.
It is all about the little things! Picking up litter, including a new kid on the playground, saying, “that’s not nice!” when you hear another student being mean to others. It adds up and empowers children to do greater things.
These resources would greatly enhance the social emotional/affective learning goals for our gifted students! I would love to share these with the gifted specialists in our school district.
I help children understand their place in the world by encouraging them to question each other, their families, their teachers and supporting the “Why?”
Thank you for having these books available
This looks like a great set! Thanks for making it available.
We need to lead by example… being kind to everyone, recycling, reusing, and reducing waste, and following the rules and taking responsibility for our actions
I am working with language-delayed preschoolers, and in groups I try to help them develop an understanding of themselves and each other–similarities and differences–unique strengths. Also I believe an understanding of justice has to begin with one-to-one interactions, so we talk about and practice being kind and helping each other.
we will use them everyday in school as we help our differently abled students navigate the world around them, emphasizing all we CAN do and being proud of ourselves!
We help kids understand their place in the world by reading books that incorporate diversity and providing anti-bias training for our teachers.
I work with young children with special needs. Explaining what is happening using language that can be understood, visuals that are appropriate for that child’s learning, and taking the time to do this are some ways I explain what is happening in the world.
Since they were very young, I’ve told my kids over and over again, “DIfferent people are different.” They’ve grown up knowing to expect others to be different from them: different preferences, different ways of communicating, different behaviors, different beliefs… And that’s just how it is for them. As a result their friend groups tend to be quite diverse. I’m proud of them.
Restorative circles are a great place to have these kinds of conversations. We facilitate these during morning meetings.
Ahhh darn it, not opening to Canadians to win
We have a weekly community circle to discuss these types of topics.
Provide books that show children who look like my students
I am a coach for Early Learning Coalition and when I go into the classrooms to work with the teachers I also spend time with the children. I sit with them where they are and play with them in the centers also by asking them questions about what they are doing, what do they want me to do, how can they do that differently. I spend time on the floor, I assist the teacher when needed. I came from the classroom I know how important it is to guide children when they are figuring out why that child does not speak English as well in the classroom and how they can interact with other children that do not look like them or speak like them. I ask them questions about how we all look different and ask what does that mean. Involving all children from race, nationality, shades we are all one.
We talk about what we can do to make the world and our place a better place to live and how we can do little things to help. We read books and share ideas with each other and other people. When we take walks we pick up trash.