As a new parent, I rediscovered “Alexander…” when I was looking for books to read to my first-born child. I was quick to discover that many of the books my children enjoyed were great for classroom learning.
When I was a primary teacher, I embraced it as one of my go-to books for short novel studies. My students enjoyed it as much as my children did. I find it’s a book that young children can connect to because they can related to Alexander’s experiences and feelings.
Classroom topics and activities include:
- Read Aloud 1
- Read Aloud 2
- Readers Theatre
- Extension: Use it as a script for a school performance (Ex. assembly).
- Philosophy
- Art: Create Thinking Caps – “This art activity is a way to engage students in using creativity and imagination to recognize self-talk and to learn how thoughts are connected to feelings and actions.
- Cause and Effect
- Social Emotional Learning: Pathways 2 Success
Judith Viorst’s “Alexander” series are great for kids and teachers. Other books in the series address saving & spending money, challenges of moving, and making good choices. I can’t recommend them enough.
Judith Viorst based the book on her actual son Alexander. If you want to know what happened to him, click here: Rachel Donadio – Alexander, Mom, and the Very Messy Stay (New York Time) (October 25, 2007).