1. Bibliotherapy Lesson The Baby Sister Submitted by Maria Teresa Mendez SPED 620 Diversity in Education March 2005

2. Materials Title book: The Baby Sister Author: Tomie de Paola Illustrator: Tomie de Paola Published by:Penguin Putnam books for young readers 1996

3. Synopsis of story The Baby Sister is a book about a boy who is so excited because his mom is having a baby, and he asks her for a baby sister with a red ribbon in her hair. But he did not ask for stern Nana Fall river to come while his mom is in the hospital. Tommy and Nana don’t get along very well, but when little Maureen is born, all the trouble is forgotten.

4. Grade Level K4 and K5: Ages 4 - 6 To open a space in class for children where they can talk about particular situations related with their feelings. Can be a compliment on family theme.

5. Goals Children will begin to understand their own lives through the expression of themselves. Talking about their experiences will determine significance to such experiences.

6. Objectives Generate anticipations,predictions and inferences starting from the title and front cover of the book. To find projections and expectations in children’s comments around the theme of the book. To expand their knowledge of others throughout the socialization of ideas,comments or thoughts.

7. Themes explored in the book Exploring feelings about having a new baby sister or brother.

8. Themes explored in the book Recognizing changes in mother’s body.

9. Themes explored in the book Reflecting about relationships with older relatives.

10. Themes explored in the book Preparing the environment for the new baby

11. Strategies Read the book aloud highliting key words that will be important to characterize the characters and their intentions. Recognize characters’ personality and ways of relating with each other.

12. Strategies Introduce the book by saying,”Some of you have brothers and sisters who are older than you. Some of you have younger brothers and sisters. Some of you don’t have brothers and sisters. This is a story about a boy who will have a new baby in his family.After I read the story,we can talk about brothers and sisters.” Read the story, using your voice and facial expression to portray the feelings of the characters. Begin a discussion by talking about children’s individual experiences.

13. Questions: Sometimes the youngest in the family is called the baby, even when she or he is not a baby anymore. Are any of you called the baby in your family? How does that make you feel? What are some good things about being the baby? Maria is going to have a baby brother or sister soon. What do you think it will be like to be a big sister, Maria? Relate children’s experiences to those in the book as appropriate. Acknowledge and interpret children’s feelings during the discussion: “Sometimes you feel lonely when everybody is busy with the baby.” Help children figure out ways to cope with negative emotions:”What might help you feel better when your mother is busy?”

14. Integrated thematic enrichment Lullabye and good night. Make a collection of lullabies that children and their families sing. Family photos. Have each child identify family members by name and relationship in photographs. Letters or drawings made for children to the new baby. Pretend play. Let children recreate during

15. Free play the “baby’s game” Set out an assortment of things used to dress babies, feed them etc. Allowed enough time of play to observe what children’s do. Select one or more books about older and younger siblings: Peter’s Chair by Ezra Jack Keats, Nobody Asked Me if I Wanted a Baby Sister by Martha Alexander, She Come Bringing Me that Little Baby Girl by Eloise Greenfield.

16. THE END Literature is always a good Way to help children deal With their feelings.