Here are a few books I like to use to tackle behavior and responsible decision-making.
The Bad Seed by Jory John
Do you know a student that has been labeled a “bad seed?” Do you have a student who is rude? Have you ever wished a student would change their behavior? This book is for you. Read more here.
Activity: Counselor Keri did a great blog post about this book and The Responsive Counselor made a great activity packet to go along with it.
David Gets In Trouble by David Shannon
David is one of my favorite characters for younger grades. I use this book to help students understand that bad choices don’t make you a bad person and that I will still love them even if they make a bad choice.
It’s also a great way to introduce expected behaviors at the beginning of the year.
Activity: I use this activity packet to have students identify expected and unexpected behaviors.
A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue by Julia Cook
This book is great to talk about times we need to report and times we don’t. I find a lot of Julia Cook books so wordy I get a little tongue twisted, so I definitely edit this as I read.
Activity: this book is a great follow-up or introduction to my mini-lesson on tattling.
The Dog Who Cried Wolf by Keiko Kasza
Clifford The Dog Who Cried Woof!
These books are such a fun to talk about honesty and reputation.
Activity: Check out this FREEBIE honesty sort.
The Monster Who Lost His Mean by Tiffany Strelitz Haber
This monster has lost his mean, but found this friends.
Activity: Partner with this book club pack by Melissa Finch.
Jilly’s Terrible Temper Tantrums: And How She Outgrew Them by Martha Heineman Pieper
Do you have a student who throws temper tantrums? This award winning book follows the tale of a kangaroo who learned to outgrow them.
Activity: Use it has a way to introduce your calm/peace corners.
It’s Hard to be Good (Ellie the Wienerdog Series): Life’s Little Lessons by Ellie the Wienerdog – Lesson #1 by K. J. Hales
Behaving is hard when you are surrounded by temptations, but Ellie can do it!
Activity: This would be fun book to talk about the temptations we face in the classroom- like a friend trying to talk to you when you are listening.
Try it out! Pick a student to try and distract their peers and challenge the rest of the class to resist the temptation.
Series by Elizabeth Verdick
This series is perfect for young elementary and even pre school.
Activities: invite your local therapy dog organization to come do a dog safety lesson.
Beatrice Doesn’t Want To by Laura Numeroff
Beatrice doesn’t want to read, and she’s not budging. That is until she hears just the right story. Perfect for resultant readers or students who are scared to try something new, different, or challenging.
Activity: Have students draw something they used to not like doing, but now they love to do.
Elbert’s Bad Word by Audrey Wood
Sometimes students hear a word they have never heard before and they can’t wait to use it- even if it’s a bad word.
A funny story to talk about the words we shouldn’t repeat.
Activity: Compare and contrast to “Little Bird’s Bad Word,” then check out my activity of unexpected and expected words!
The Day Leo Said I Hate You by Robie H. Harris
Sometimes we get mad and say things we shouldn’t. Use this book to normalize mad feelings, but facilitate a conversation about how we appropriately handle those feelings.
Activity: Use this mindful activity set to practice taking a mindful moment when we feel angry.
Little Bird’s Bad Word by Jacob Grant
Another great book to talk about words we shouldn’t repeat.
Activity: Check out my activity of unexpected and expected words!
Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie by Laura Rankin
A great picture book to talk about honesty, truth telling, and consequences of our actions.
Activity: Check out this FREEBIE honesty sort.
You Get What You Get by Julie Gassman
Fair isn’t always equal! This catchy book helps students with students who pitch a fit when they don’t get what they want or their way.
Activity: Use this CBT activity set to help change their thinking from “that’s not fair” to “you get what you get.”
Pickers Is a Thief: A Story about Shoplifting Paperback by Gary Antilla
This book comes with questions about shoplifting that make it a book and activity in one.
The Very Inappropriate Word by Jim Tobin
Taste Your Words by Bonnie Clark
Yet two more great book about the power of our words. Unkind and bad words sure do taste- well yucky!
Activity: Check out my activity of unexpected and expected words!
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Find more books here: https://www.goodreads.com/PawsitiveSchoolCounseling
See my personal list of books I own with categories and links to activities here. To Edit Click File and “Make a copy”!
Find videos to partner with books here:
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