I am excited to join Alyson Beecher and other friends in this weekly challenge. Finding great nonfiction picture books isn't a challenge anymore, there are so many wonderful books to be read now! The challenge is sharing them with as many people as possible so they can find this wealth of literature to share with our young readers. Thanks to Aly for starting this weekly link-up and thanks to all who join in! See all of the posts at kidlitfrenzy.
Genius hour. Community action projects. Passion Projects.
Whatever you want to call it, these activities are full of ideas that get great ideas in place. Consider using this picture book biography to give an idea. To talk about how one little idea can spark a big idea. How you can help. How something small can make a big difference.
One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia
By Miranda Paul
Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
Published by Millbrook Press
Isatou Ceesay lives in Gambia where over time, due to a lack of resources to dispose of garbage, it piled up everywhere. And because of animals being able to roam freely, they searched for good within the piles of garbage and ended up eating plastic bags. As we know, plastic bags do not go away. They ended up inside animals and underground where they strangled the roots of growing plants.
But Isatou has an idea. A small idea that has a big impact.
What can students take from this idea? Stretch their thinking from the book - it's not about what Isatou did, it's what they can do.
Included in the end notes: author's note, pronunciation guide, timeline and additional reading (so happy to see Emmanuel's Dream by Laurie Thompson included). Love the end pages - plastic bags. Great visual reminder!
How can you use this book to spark an idea in your classroom?
"it's not about what Isatou did, it's what they can do." Beautiful words, Michele! One thing my class did at our school was start a used book shop. With donations from students, we both traded and sold. The bit of profit was used to buy new books to donate to a program that gives books to kids at doctor's offices. The students loved "managing" a store, etc. There is much that can be done, & your idea of using this wonderful book is terrific. I loved that she started this idea, and the things they crafted are awesome.
ReplyDeleteI still haven't read this book and it is right up there on my TBR list. I can't wait to find it!
ReplyDeleteI love when an action can be immediately done after reading a book. I think it drives the message in more clearly.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. With sustainability being emphasized in classrooms and libraries, it's valuable to be able to show children examples of the impact their actions can really have on the world. Definitely one to pick up!
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how many times I think about this issue when I see a plastic bag flying around my community on windy days. Thanks for sharing this book.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this one, but I love books that are a call to action. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI had this book out from the library, and then I had to return it before I got to it. I need to get it again because it would fit well with our Social Responsibility unit coming up 2nd quarter.
ReplyDeleteI just made a list of books to purchase for my research project and I totally forgot about this one. I should visit my Pinterest more often to remind me of the books I have to hunt down. This sounds awesome.
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