The Someone New by Jill Twiss is the perfect book for anytime of the year. Its message of friendship and overcoming your fears is perfect for all ears- young and old. The story is a sweet one and the illustrations are gorgeous (illustrated by EG Keller).
The Someone New Book Recommendation: Message of Friendship and Overcoming Your Fears!
Kids will really relate to the feelings that Jitterbug experiences- the quiver in her tummy and the nervousness she experiences thinking about something (or someone) new. I also love how Jitterbug’s friends gently point out to her that she was wrong in the way she treated Pudding.
This book could be an anchor for talking to kids about how we want to treat someone new to our classroom.
One extension activity after reading this book could be to have students write welcome notes and then as you have new students join your class during the year you could pull out a few of the welcome notes and place them on the new student’s desk to open when they arrive.
Here is a FREE note template you could use with a cute chipmunk to remember Jitterbug and how she faces her fears to welcome Pudding…
FREE Welcome to Our Class Note Template
Another fun way to welcome a new student could be with a Starburst treat for the class and a sign on the new student’s desk. You could purchase a big bag of Starburst and then get it out whenever you have a new student added. This way everyone can celebrate having a new student in class!
Here is an editable certificate you can use (I have included a KeyNote and Powerpoint version- just click in the text box and add the student’s name). You could print the certificate and give it to the student, or you could project the certificate on a white board.
FREE New Student Certificate
This book is available at Barnes and Noble and on Amazon.
