Hello! Hello! Is "Anybunny" Listening?

Do you find your little bunnies' listening skills could use a refresher course this time of year?

It seems like every year, around this time, MY students' listening skills can use a boost. I ran into some excellent books about listening that are both kid-friendly and age-appropriate, on this very topic. Check them out...

                        

My friend introduced me to this hilarious, yet very effective book. It's about a little boy who blurts out whatever he wants, whenever he wants. He "thinks" he can't control his "eruptions", but he eventually learns how to keep his words to himself until it's time to talk. I read it on Monday, and I've been telling my students, "Watch your eruptions." They really connected to this fun and timely book.


This is another book from the same author. It's about a little boy who, bet you can guess, doesn't listen. He has the "worst day ever". Many unwanted things happen to him during a day, and he becomes upset. His mom teaches him how to listen AND how to follow instructions. Again, a great book that my students connected to.

Since Easter is right around the corner, I tied in two books with bunnies as their main characters. Of course, these characters have trouble with listening too.


I adore books written by Helen Lester, but it wasn't until last year when my colleague introduced me to this story. I have no clue why I never read this before! It is about a bunny named Buddy, and he gets in all kinds of trouble because he doesn't know how to listen. But, by the end, he learns how.




This book arrived yesterday, with my latest Scholastic Book Order. Howard B. Wigglebottom is the main character in a series of books. Each book focuses on a different social skill. This one depicts Howard getting hurt and in trouble with friends and adults because he doesn't listen. Like all of these books, he eventually learns exactly how to listen. I love the discussion questions and the  steps on how to listen included in the back. 

I can't take credit for this idea, as this comes from one of my colleagues, but here is cute craft that ties into listening. Type a list of ways to listen (ideas found in all the above books). Students make a set of bunny ears and attach it to a sentence strip or paper headband. They cut the listening steps out and glue to the band. They can write "I am a super listener."

What books do you use this time of year?