Created by: Ashley Ellis

 The book Hooway For Wodney Wat, by Helen Lester addresses the issue of even though you are different you can still be a “hero.” The book also addresses the issue of bullying.  This book also teaches students about character traits such as honesty, kindness, tolerance, respect, and self discipline. It also addresses the effects of prejudices and how we should understand and respect our differences.

 Grade Level: Second-Third Grade  This lesson would work well with second or third grade students in a gifted program and general education classroom.  The make up of the classroom would consist of female and male students of different types of races (white, black, hispanic) and cultures.  The book would work well in a gifted classroom of students who are being bullied about being different. It would also be beneficial to use at the beginning of the school year in a general education classroom to discusses differences.

 The book Hooway for Wodney Wat is about a little rabbit named Rodney Rat. Rodney has a speech impediment pronounces his r’s with a w sound. He is sad, because all of the kids at school tease him. One day a new rodent named Camilla Capybara comes to school. She becomes the class bully who picks on everyone including Rodney. Everyone stops teasing him and Rodney becomes the class hero when he gets rid off Camilla.  This book can be purchased at Barnes and Noble, Books A Million, and Amazon.com for $6.99 or less.

Before Reading: 1. Do you know what a speech impediment is? 2. Have you ever been bullied by someone? If so how did it make you feel? How did you overcome it? After Reading: 1. What was the problem in the story? How was the problem solved (reference the text)? 2. How do you think Rodney felt when the teacher called on him to lead Simon Says? 3. How do you think Rodney felt at the beginning of the book? Why did he feel that way? 4. How do you think Rodney felt at the end of the book? 5. If you were a student in the classroom, how would you have handled the situation with Rodney and Camilla? 6. What are some other ways Rodney and his friends could have handled being picked on by Camilla?

 Reader’s Theatre-Have students’ act out the book. Students will each be assigned roles and create props/costumes. Afterwards, have students create and write a different version or ending to the story and act it out. Discuss the differences.  Collages-Have students create collages about themselves using words, magazines, photographs, paint, markers, etc. Collages can include anything, but must include one way they are different then other people. Students will present when they are finished.  Double Bubble Map-Have students create double map. They must compare how they are alike and different by filling it in the bubbles themselves to either Rodney or Camilla.