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Share several nonfiction books illustrated with photographs and illustrations. Talk about the different ways the illustrations and photographs convey information.

Choose a favorite animal or living thing, such as a flower or a tree, and have the student find 2-3 facts about the subject they chose. Have them use the facts to write a short lyrical poem.

Discuss how important it is to people to feel supported and cared for. Invite the student to come up with a plan for showing their support for an individual, or an organization, in their community.

Pay attention to the different styles and techniques of different illustrators. Invite the student to choose a picture book and do research on the illustrator’s background, style, and technique.

Have the student choose a topic related to a past event in their community or school, then gather information on the event and write a brief, factual account of the event, using the elements of narrative nonfiction.

Fountas & Pinnell Classroom™ reaches new horizons in 2021 with the addition of exceptional new resources to support prekindergarten, foundational literacy skills, writing, shared reading, and Spanish-speaking students.⁠

Talk with the student about times when they’ve helped others overcome loss or when others have done the same for them. Have them write a list of ways to help someone who is coping with loss.

Do some research on vanishing indigenous cultures to find out more of their history. Let the student select one culture for a deep dive. Encourage the student to present the results of their research.

Invite the child to discuss their goals. Give the child positive, constructive feedback, and talk about the specific actions they might take to make a goal a reality.

Everyone has something that they enjoy doing or that they are good at. Invite the student to choose and develop a skill that they want to improve upon.

Identify a variety of volunteer opportunities the student could participate in at school or in the community, and let the student choose which one to perform.

Explore poems and pieces of art that stemmed from loss. Invite the student to write down their reflections and discuss with you what they have observed.

Have the student choose a culture other than their own to explore through research. Have the student share their findings and discuss what they learned.

Invite the student to write an essay describing how they have practiced creative problem solving in their own lives or community.

Talk about why it’s important to keep trying, even when you feel tired or discouraged. Be sure to also discuss how to determine which things are worth persisting at and which are not.

Encourage the student to choose images and words or phrases that inspire them. Encourage the student to create a collage of those images and words to remind them of who they are and who they want to be.

Encourage the student to gather information about a problem in their community. Discuss how to work with other people to solve the problem. Have the student write about the experience.

Creating something new can sometimes help overcome the pain felt from experiencing loss. Encourage the student to create art as a way to remember and honor someone they’ve lost.