by Kathryn Cave and Nick Maland
A boy first tries to deal with his dragons, or his fears and worries, by ignoring them. He learns to acknowledge each dragon, gives it his attention for a day so it doesn’t grow, talks to someone about it, and gets lots of hugs.
Strategies/Skills Used
Reading Strategy 1: Access background knowledge.
Reading Strategy 2: Predict what will be learned or what will happen.
Reading Strategy 5: Make mental pictures.
Reading Strategy 11: Make inferences and draw conclusions.
Reading Strategy 12: Reflect and respond.
Writing Skill 7: I use my personal style to make my writing unique.
TEACHING THE ACTIVITY: PRE-READING
(1) Guided Imagery: Lead the class through guided imagery to evoke emotion of fear. (Sample Guided Imagery script.)
(2) Provide time for students to visualize what might be at the edge of the woods, and have a discussion around their feelings and what they sensed as they went through this guided imagery process.
TEACHING THE ACTIVITY: DURING READING
(3) Reading Like An Author: Fold paper into four sections and number each section.
(4) In Section 1, have students predict what the book is about using the title only.
(5) In Sections 2 and 3, have students use speech/thinking bubbles to show their thinking about the first two sections of story. They can share these with a partner or the class.
(6) In Section 4, have students assume role of Ben, write what they think “dragons” are in the story and share their ideas with the group.
TEACHING THE ACTIVITY: POST-READING
(7) Explain to students that an important part of facing fears is expressing what actually makes us feel afraid. Explain that the class will make their voices come alive by writing a Little Feelings Book called “Sometimes We Feel Scared.”
(8) Provide time for students to talk with a partner about a time they felt really scared. Have volunteers share their experiences with the whole class.
(9) Provide time for students to talk with a partner about what they did to feel better after being scared.
(10) Have students develop pages for the class book. Remind them that their pieces can include descriptions of times when they felt really scared as well as what they did to feel better.