Written By: Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
Illustrated By: Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw and April Ward
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Copyright: 2011
Number of Pages: 40
Genre: Multicultural
Illustrations from "Same, Same, but Different" are very vibrant and do a great job of making the reader feel connected to what is being told in the story. They are full of color and express exactly what I think the author wants to convey. I would say my favorite pages of illustrations are the second to last set of pages where the book is coming to an end. It shows both of the little boys in their own homes, side by side, laying down to go to sleep, in what appears to be very similar rooms even though they are worlds apart.
Grade: 2nd
Content area: Social Studies.
Standard 9: Describe the importance of cultural unity and diversity within and across groups.
A very interesting and fun project for a class to do after reading this book, would be the teacher finding a school from another country that they could be in communication with. Once this has been done the teacher could have each student write a letter about what their daily lives look like, their interests, and things about their city or school. The class could mail their letters to the corresponding class and ask for them to write back sharing similar information, so that the students could know first hand what a class their age looks like and lives like from another country. This could create a sense of unity between the classes by seeing differences and similarities, and also create a sense of interest in different cultures.
The book gives the great idea of "penpals" to connect students from one side of the world to another. It is a great way to get the students involved in cultural aspects. Overall, "Same, Same, but Different" can be used to teach that though we are all very different, we are also similar in many ways.
I LOVE your activity for this book! Not only are you having them practice writing, but they are meeting new people and working on reading comprehension. This would be a great way to incorporate the writing process, as well.
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