Discussion Questions:
1. Before reading the book with the class, introduce the idea of differences/similarities by asking the group to respond to several of the following statements: Stand up if you have freckles/red hair/have lost a tooth/are wearing sneakers, etc. Then ask the children to think of other ways we are different from each other.
2. Read the book, stopping to ask if anyone knows someone who is like a given character. Which, if any, characters are like you?
Activity1. Make a T chart - What makes us Different/ What makes us the Same. Brainstorm until there are several examples on each side of the chart. Save this for the next activity.
3. Review the book and the chart. Write the sentence model “It’s okay to____” on the board. Tell the class that each student will use that model to create at least 1 page of a class It’s Okay book. Encourage students to illustrate their pages, using the bright, bold colors of the book. Allow all to share their work, then compile the pages into a class book.
