Self-Esteem Book Companion Lessons & Activities

Do your students need help building their confidence? This self-esteem resource includes 5 book companions on popular children’s books about being different, trying new things, self-love, and sharing our unique personal traits (Books: The Smart Cookie; Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon; Be You; Perfectly Norman; Thelma the Unicorn).

Children will participate in classroom discussions and book chats, share their thoughts in written form, and participate in fun, engaging activities that build friendships, emotional awareness, and social skills.

Each book companion includes a detailed lesson plan, guided questions, anchor chart, concept posters, writing responses, and follow-up activities (printable and digital included). Great for distance learning or in-class teaching of social-emotional skills!

 5 Self-Esteem Book Companions (Lesson Plan & Activities) Included:

1. Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival

This lesson is about being ourselves and sharing our differences. Children will learn that being different is what will make them happy. They will learn that there isn't one "normal" way to be.

2. The Smart Cookie by John & Oswald

The lesson is about the many ways to be "smart." Children will identify the different ways to be "smart" and to feel confident trying new things.

3. Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey

This lesson teaches us about how to love ourselves. Children will learn to love who they are no matter how they look. They will practice self-love.

4. Be You by Peter Reynolds

This lesson inspires kids to understand and embrace their unique qualities. They will learn to be themselves in many different ways.

5. Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell

The lesson is about having confidence, standing tall. and being proud of yourself. Children will understand that we all have inside and outside personal traits that make us who we are.

Included in this jam-packed SEL Friendship book companion pack:

• Lessons and activities that focus on 5 Children’s books related to self-esteem and confidence
• Each book companion comes with a detailed lesson plan, book chat cards to guide a discussion, anchor chart, and book response (writing or collage)
• 4 follow-up activities are included for every book (many in digital format)
• Book companion guide with safe links for easy viewing
• Google Slides ready for use in Google Classroom
• Images for use in Seesaw
• Interactive PowerPoint file of the digital templates for use in your preferred platform

**Check out the detailed PREVIEW for a thorough look into what this resource includes!**

LESSONS:

There is a detailed lesson plan for each book with “Book Chat” cards and questions to guide your discussion before, during, and after reading. An interactive anchor chart and writing activity are included that focus on the social-emotional skill presented in the book and encourage children to express their thinking. This is an excellent way to incorporate social-emotional learning into your ELA block each week!

STORY ACTIVITIES:

Each book comes with 4 follow-up activities to build upon the book’s social-emotional lesson. A fun variety of activities are included for independent, partner, and small group use. These high-interest activities are a great way to extend the book’s discussion and build the social-emotional skills kids need!

DIGITAL ACTIVITIES:

Book companions come with a digital anchor chart or interactive poster slides, writing template, and additional digital activities. These are ready in Google Slides™ for use in Google Classroom™. You will be provided with instructions on how to access and a link to create a copy. The digital pages are great for use during remote teaching, distance learning, and in a one-to-one classroom!

Why You Need This Book Companion Resource:

♥ The children’s books in this book companion resource have been carefully chosen as they cover the most important topics that we often do not have time to teach (SEL ones).

♥ It provides an opportunity to have meaningful discussions and use impactful activities that build important social and emotional skills a child needs. Children need to build their emotional awareness and these lessons and activities will guide them there!

♥ Since you are using literature to teach, you are covering important English Language Arts standards and building children’s literacy skills.

♥ It provides a TON of variety for each book, keeping things fresh and engaging for kids!

♥ As it includes printable and digital activities, this resource is great for use during distance learning, homeschooling, and in one-to-one classrooms.

Suggestions on How to Use:

• Each lesson starts with a book chat that continues during and after reading a book. There are questions included to guide your discussion.
• There is an anchor chart idea provided to enhance the book’s lesson.
• A follow-up writing activity can be used to extend the discussion.
• There are 4 activities for each children’s book. Some include digital options.
• I suggest reading 1 book per week and doing the lesson. Use the extra activities to reinforce the topic covered in the story throughout the week.
• Differentiated templates included. Please choose what fits best with your students’ abilities and needs.
• The lessons and activities work great for after morning meetings or end of the day lessons, school counselors and classroom teachers, and children in K-2.

Don’t own a copy of a book? No problem! Safe links to video recordings of books being read aloud are included, as well as a book list of more books to use during your lessons.

Looking to build more SEL into your week?
Try the BEST-SELLING SEL resources available for K-2 & 3-5 that each contain a year’s worth of lessons and activities.
♥♥mind+heart Social Emotional Learning Curriculum for K-2♥♥

Check out the other SEL units for K-2:
Emotions & Feelings
Self-Regulation & Self-Control
Growth Mindset
Relationships & Friendship
Empathy & Social Awareness
Kindness & Bucket Filling
Respect & Gratitude
Responsibility, Goal Setting, & Conflict Resolution

Stay connected with Proud to be Primary

♥Join our email list and get weekly teacher tip emails and access to our FREE resource library.  
♥Visit our website at Proud to be Primary for tons of engaging ideas for teaching kids in the classroom!
♥Join our Facebook group and connect with thousands of PROUD primary teachers like yourself.

Please read the description, review the preview file, and read the FAQ in our Help Center carefully before purchasing. 
Question not answered? Reach out to support at support@proudtobeprimary.com. 

All digital sales on Proud to be Primary of resources are considered final and non-refundable. 

© Copyright 2013 to present - Proud to be Primary, Elyse Rycroft. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to copy pages specifically designed for student or teacher use by the original purchaser or licensee. This product is licensed for personal classroom use ONLY unless multiple licenses are purchased. Your purchase grants you a license to use in a secure, password-protected online platform (such as Google Classroom) with your students only. You may not transfer or share with another teacher or use for commercial purposes (Outschool, etc.). The reproduction, alteration, adaptation, copying, or sale of any part of this product is strictly prohibited. Read the full Terms and Conditions HERE.