If I Were You Advice from Students for Students
If I Were You Advice From students for students
Ms. Smith’s 4th Grade Class at Holmes/Estabrook Elementary
FIRST EDITION 2021 PRINTED AND BOUND AT 826MICHIGAN
826 National’s Commitment to Inclusion As an organization committed to encouraging youth in their creative
expression, personal growth, and academic success, 826 National and
its chapters recognize the importance of diversity at all levels and in all
aspects of our work. In order to build and maintain the safe, supportive 826
environment in which great leaps of learning occur, we commit to inclusion:
We will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender
identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, nationality, marital status,
English fluency, parental status, immigration status, military service, or
disability.
826michigan Staff Dr. Naimah Wade, Executive Director
Judy Tipton, Development Director
Catherine Calabro Cavin, Education Director
Frances Martin, Operations Director Megan Gilson, Program Manager
Ariel Kaplowitz-Hahn, Volunteer Engagement Associate Josi Evingas, Development Associate
Copyright © 2021 by 826michigan and Blotch Books. All rights reserved by 826michigan, the many whims of Drs. T & G Blotch, and the authors.
The views expressed in this book are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of 826michigan. We believe in the power of youth voice and
are thrilled that you picked up this book. No part of this book may be
reproduced without express written permission from the publisher, except for small excerpts for the purposes of review or scholarly study.
Many thanks to Ypsilanti Community Schools and our volunteers for their participation in this field trip.
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Table of Contents If I were you . . . Advice from MS. SMITH’S Class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
If I were you Group Inklings Group 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Group 2
.................................................................8
Group 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Group 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
If I were you . . . Write Your Own Inklings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Acknowledgments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Kraken The Code: How to Give Great Advice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 About 826michigan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Advice from MS. SMITH’S Class
Dear Ms. Smith’s Class, I’m getting really bored being stuck at home during quarantine. I’ve already played with each of my toys a million times, have read all of my books, and my grandma won’t let me be on the computer for more than 30 minutes each day. What should I do? Sincerely, Quarantina
DEAR QUARANTINA, First, if you are bored, schedule some days that you can get out of the house. Then, you should try to take walks around your neighborhood or play a game with family. Next, you should do some exercise! It will boost your mood and give you something to do if you ate too much. This will burn calories. Last, if you have siblings, you could play with them. If you don’t have siblings, you could make an imaginary friend to play with.
Sincerely, MS. SMITH’S CLASS
Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 3
If I Were You Group Inklings
Dear Student, I’ve recently discovered a secret room in my house, and it is completely empty. What should I do with it? Sincerely, Quintin Q. Quackenbush
DEAR QUINTIN Q. QUACKENBUSH, First, you should decorate it with your little chair, blanket, a ring light so you can do TikToks, and a teddy bear. Then, you could do activities like board games, Roblox, Fortnite, Nintendo Switch, or gymnastics! You could also eat popcorn and watch movies. Next, you could make rules. Last, you should add a lamp so it isn’t dark, just in case the LED lights go out.
Sincerely, GROUP 1
Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 7
Dear Students, How do I become a better reader? Sincerely, The Second Graders
DEAR SECOND GRADERS, First, you are going to want to read a lot. Also, you are going to want to read the same book! I recommend to practice everyday. Then, you are going to want to look up words in a dictionary. You should try to read for an hour and thirty minutes each day. Next, you are going to want to read lots of different books. For example, you could read a book about dogs! You can try to read different reading levels. We like to read out loud to our family, friends, and sometimes pets too! Last, you are going to want to practice reading and maybe even try some reading programs.
Sincerely, GROUP 2
8 | Ms. Smith’s Class
Dear students, My birthday is coming up, but because of COVID, I can’t have the party I was dreaming of. How can I still celebrate my birthday? Sincerely, Fiesta Waitsforever
DEAR FIESTA WAITSFOREVER, First, your family can buy things at the store like cupcakes, birthday-themed plates, cups, and napkins. You can celebrate at home. Then, you can decorate the house. Try balloons and streamers. Turn off the lights and put up colorful lights. There can be a theme, like princesses or dinosaurs. A young person’s birthday is decorated differently than somebody who is older. Next, you can go swimming! Depending on the weather, you can go to an indoor pool or an outdoor pool. You can swim, do cool challenges, or use a pool noodle or floaty. Last, if places are re-opening, maybe you can spend it at a hotel or another fun place.
Sincerely, GROUP 3
Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 9
Dear Students, I know in my heart of hearts that I’m meant to be a famous singer, but I’m too embarrassed to sing in front of anyone but my little brother. How will I ever achieve my dream? Sincerely, Ariana Pequeña
DEAR ARIANA PEQUEÑA, First, you could act like there are not a lot of people in the audience and like it’s only your little brother watching. This will make you feel more comfortable. Then, you have to try and be brave. You should stand up on the stage and find someone familiar in the audience, such as your mom, for support. Next, I recommend you have someone join you on the stage. This will help you feel less alone and you will have more fun if you are performing with other people. Last, before you go on stage, tell yourself not to be scared and encourage yourself.
Sincerely, GROUP 4
10 | Ms. Smith’s Class
Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 11
Write Your Own Inklings
Author Name: If I Were You: First,
Then,
Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 13
Next
And then,
14 | Ms. Smith’s Class
Finally,
About the Author
Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 15
Acknowledgments 826michigan Publications Team
Jessica Pace, Designer/Illustrator Annie Else, Publications Intern Robyn Charles, Publications Editor
Fieldtrip Volunteers Jackson Schwartz Caitlin Koska Siobhan Stemme Lauren Jakosalem Kennedy Ward Mikaela Trowbridge
Partner Teacher
Ms. Smith, 4th grade teacher
The School Staff and Administration
Mr. Gregory Anglin, Holmes Principal Mr. Ryan Johnson, Estabrook Principal
Charlotte Moore Anne Else Riley Shephard Maisha Massey Nasrine Altairi Maya Weinbaum
Kraken the Code: HOW TO GIVE GREAT ADVICE
Wait to be asked IT’S JUST GOOD MANNERS
Tell your story
STORIES HELP US REMEMBER
Get to the point
BE SPECIFIC & KEEP OUR ATTENTION
Break it up BABY STEPS!
Give it some feeling
EMOTIONS HELP US MAKE CONNECTIONS
Inspire to action
CREATIVITY PLUS MOVEMENT EQUALS IMPROVEMENT
Be kind
EVERYONE IS DOING THEIR BEST
inspires school-aged students to write with skill and confidence in collaboration with adult volunteers in their communities. Our writing and tutoring programs uphold a culture of creativity and imagination and support students in establishing strong habits of mind. Through publication and community engagement, we provide students with an authentic and enthusiastic audience for their writing. Our programs provide an energizing creative outlet for students and meaningful volunteer opportunities for community members.
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Our trained volunteers go into local public schools every day to support teachers with their classroom writing assignments. Based on the teacher’s curriculum, assignments range from writing tales to crafting college essays to exploring poetry.
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Students come as a class to our writing lab to join a group of volunteers, interns, and staff in order to help solve a problem through writing—whether that is our editor Dr. Blotch’s insomnia, our looming story deadline, a mystery in need of solving, or one of the many others we encounter. Our field trips always end in a finished publication of original writing that students take home.
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WRITING IS
A way to figure things out by ourselves
We create a safe place to be ourselves and try new things We support the ways that writers work (like thinking, sketching, talking)
A way to help us connect to our world
We study the writing we want to do so we can try it We learn how to change our writing for genre, audience, and purpose
A way to help us learn who we are and who we will become
We work with a group of writers who help and support each other
A way for us to use our power to make changes and build a better world
www.826michigan.org
826 National was inspired to take a stand on issues of inclusion and diversity in light of the many events that spotlighted social and racial injustices throughout the country. We as educators, volunteers, and caring adults need to be aware of the wide range of issues our students face on a day-to-day basis. We need to support these young people as they navigate through and try to make sense of the world and their own identities. We need the support and the feedback from our community to ensure 826 is living up to these standards. Through our inclusion statement, our internal diversity and inclusion group, cultural competency resources provided to staff and volunteers, and partnerships with other organizations, we are always working towards being a more inclusive and supportive organization. We at 826 have the privilege of working with the next generation of scholars, teachers, doctors, artists, lawyers, and writers. It's our job to make sure they are able to take their own stands. As an organization committed to encouraging youth in their creative expression, personal growth, and academic success, 826 National and its chapters recognize the importance of diversity at all levels and in all aspects of our work. In order to build and maintain the safe, supportive 826 environment in which great leaps in learning happen, we commit ourselves to inclusion: we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, marital status, English fluency, parental status, military service, or disability. The 826 National network is committed to encouraging youth to express themselves and to use the written word to effectively do so. We encourage our students to write, take chances, make decisions, and finish what they start. And 826 strives to do this in an environment free from discrimination and exclusion.
by Gerald Richards, CEO
826michigan inspires school-aged students to write with skill and confidence in collaboration with adult volunteers in their communities.
Find out more at 826michigan.org!
