"But in reality,
if we were completely alone,
life would be very, very hard.
Being part of a group
makes us much
SAFER."
Elise Gravel's popular and pleasing monsters are back to help young readers begin to learn about what communities are and how they work. It's not always an easy concept. Creating a caring community is one of the most important things we can do for the kids in our classrooms. Within that community they feel safe and protected by those they spend their days with - their teachers, their classmates, and all those who support their learning.
They learn that having people around them can make them feel terrific. There are also those days when things go wrong, but that is part of spending so much time together. We don't always get along. Being safe to express feelings and concerns ensures that community members know they have an important role in what happens. Being alone can be a frightening feeling.
We learn about being part of a community for our whole lives as people move in and out. We have lessons to teach each other as we care for one another and share what we have. Acts of kindness become more plentiful once we learn how good it feels to help and hear how much we are appreciated. It isn't so much about what we have as what we give.
Because everyone in our community is important, we take a stand if one is bullied, teased, or hurt. We are stronger when we act together. Differences make us who we are, all having the same imprtance in the group.
"Solidarity makes all of us
Safer and stronger.
We're all in this world
TOGETHER."
Without being preachy, Ms. Gravel shows her readers just how important it is to live in communities where each person respects and supports the others who share their space in this world. An especially important lesson for the world today, I think.
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