I came across the book "Everybody Needs a Rock" by Byrd Baylor while at the Millennium Library with my son. Knowing that I was leaving my classroom very soon to go on maternity leave I instantly thought of an activity that I could take part in with my class in reference to this book.
For those of you who have not read this story I highly recommend it. It takes children on a journey of how to thoughtfully select the very best rock for them by following 10 simple rules.
This is how I used this fantastic story with my students:
1) We read the story
2) Students sketched and wrote about the qualities of a rock that they would look for
3) I brought river rock from my house to have students select 1 to keep as their own
4) Students then painted their rock in a way that was meaningful to them
5) We had a conversation about since this rock was taken from my home and if they ever felt upset, lonely or missed me when I was gone that they could hold their rock and we would be connected again!
Here is a picture of the rocks after my students had painted them:
Each year that I teach I become so invested and so deeply connected to my students and this year was no different. Each student has taught me something about myself as an educator, as a mother and as a person. Thank you Room 6 for an amazing 8 months!! You will forever be in my heart🎔🎔🎔
Until May 2018...
Nicole
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