Today I read a book that I can honestly say changed me a little bit. This book is called Fish in a Tree by. Lynda Mullaly Hunt.
When I picked up this book I did it with no idea what the story was about. I saw it shared on a Facebook page for 5th grade teachers and I thought I would give it a try. So glad that I did.
The heart of this story is focused on a girl named Ally Nickerson. She is a girl that struggles with school, and when I say struggles, I mean struggles. She is always getting in trouble and feels like she doesn't fit in. Between the moving to 7 schools in 7 years and looking at things differently then her classmates she has a lot of things stacked against her. She spends a lot of time visiting the office because of things that she does that are misunderstood, but never corrects what they think of her. She doesn't think anyone can/will help. Then her teacher leaves to have a baby and in walks Mr.Daniels, the substitute.
This is where the story takes you on a journey where you find yourself connecting to Ally, along with her friends Keisha and Albert, and loving the wonderful Mr. Daniels. He takes this classroom full of unique students (just like every single classroom around this country) and helps them all find their best selves. He teaches them about Grit, being brave, staying true to oneself, and through it all the students learn about standing up for themselves and accepting each other and their uniqueness. You cheer for the boy named Oliver who has a heart full of kindness and a mind that doesn't quit. You fall in awe over Albert's intelligence and Keisha's courage. And with Ally you learn about a girl who is smart and never truly understood that until Mr. Daniels shares with her the special type of learner she is. She has dyslexia and never knew it.
This story pulls at your heart strings and makes you want to be that teacher that can reach these kids like Mr. Daniels did. This is a story that reminds me of why I became a teacher. This is a story that is perfect to share with students who need to see that being different is good and learning differently is okay. It shows them that great minds don't think the same and getting it right doesn't happen on the first try, but perseverance is what matters.
This is a must read!!!
When I picked up this book I did it with no idea what the story was about. I saw it shared on a Facebook page for 5th grade teachers and I thought I would give it a try. So glad that I did.
The heart of this story is focused on a girl named Ally Nickerson. She is a girl that struggles with school, and when I say struggles, I mean struggles. She is always getting in trouble and feels like she doesn't fit in. Between the moving to 7 schools in 7 years and looking at things differently then her classmates she has a lot of things stacked against her. She spends a lot of time visiting the office because of things that she does that are misunderstood, but never corrects what they think of her. She doesn't think anyone can/will help. Then her teacher leaves to have a baby and in walks Mr.Daniels, the substitute.
This is where the story takes you on a journey where you find yourself connecting to Ally, along with her friends Keisha and Albert, and loving the wonderful Mr. Daniels. He takes this classroom full of unique students (just like every single classroom around this country) and helps them all find their best selves. He teaches them about Grit, being brave, staying true to oneself, and through it all the students learn about standing up for themselves and accepting each other and their uniqueness. You cheer for the boy named Oliver who has a heart full of kindness and a mind that doesn't quit. You fall in awe over Albert's intelligence and Keisha's courage. And with Ally you learn about a girl who is smart and never truly understood that until Mr. Daniels shares with her the special type of learner she is. She has dyslexia and never knew it.
This story pulls at your heart strings and makes you want to be that teacher that can reach these kids like Mr. Daniels did. This is a story that reminds me of why I became a teacher. This is a story that is perfect to share with students who need to see that being different is good and learning differently is okay. It shows them that great minds don't think the same and getting it right doesn't happen on the first try, but perseverance is what matters.
This is a must read!!!