If I Were You Advice from Students for Students
If I Were You Advice From students for students
Ms. Willis’ 3rd Grade Class at Detroit Achievement Academy
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, socio-economic 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 Detroit Achievement Academy and our volunteers for their participation in this field trip.
By purchasing this book, you are helping 826michigan continue to offer free
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Table of Contents If I were you . . . Advice from Ms. Willis’ 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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Acknowledgments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Kraken The Code: How to Give Great Advice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 About 826michigan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
vi | MS. Willis’ Class
Advice from Ms. Willis’ Class
Dear Students, 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 have siblings, you can play with them or watch a movie together. If you don’t have siblings, you can play a game on your computer (like Fortnite or Roblox) with your bestie. Then, you can go outside to play in the snow or play with your parent. Next, you can make creative things by reusing shoe boxes. Or, you can make up a new game with your toys. Last, play with your pet bunny or little fish and spend time with them.
Sincerely, MS. WILLIS’ CLASS
Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 3
If I Were You Group Inklings
I’ve recently discovered that when I concentrate really hard, and really put my mind to it, I can change any object into a Pop-Tart. What should I do with my new superpower? Sincerely, Berry Blast
DEAR BERRY BLAST, First, wear special gloves made out of a special fabric of water and plastic, so that things don’t turns into Pop-Tarts. The gloves need to be made out of water because Pop-Tarts’ enemy is water. Then, you can make sure that people look out for the button that says “Don’t eat me!” Next, if you touch a Pop-Tart, you’ll end up with infinity Pop-Tarts and you won’t know what to do with them. If that happens, give the Pop-Tarts to people who might want to eat them. Last, you can turn the Pop-Tarts into the flavors you like, like your mom’s cooking, brown sugar, or strawberry milkshake!
Sincerely, GROUP 1
Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 7
My moon cats escaped from my basement lair, how do I get them to come back? Sincerely, Dr. Blotch
DEAR DR. BLOTCH, First, you could try asking Dr. Blotch why the cats escaped from the basement. The cats were running towards something they wanted. Then, maybe you should take a head count of the cats so you know how many there are. Next, you could gather them all up and take them back to the basement lair. Give them something that they wanted, like fish or tuna. Then I would guide the something that they wanted all the way back to the basement. Last, you could build a gate in the basement lair to keep them there.
Sincerely, GROUP 2
8 | MS. Willis’ Class
Everything I touch turns instantly into cheese. At first it was great, but now I miss my books and games, and also, I’m getting sick of the smell of cheddar. What do I do? Sincerely, Cheezed Out
DEAR CHEEZED OUT, First, I recommend that you try to get use to it and make sure you don’t touch your parents! Then, I recommend that you try and put bags on your hands so you don’t touch stuff directly. If you put bags on your hands, you could use this as a superpower. You could even instantly make food! Next, you should try to use your powers to stop bad guys. You can turn them into cheese so they won’t be bad anymore. Last, you could make a “cheese-pack” by touching a jet pack. You could make lots of gadgets and tools for people to use.
Sincerely, GROUP 3
Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 9
A time machine has suddenly appeared in my house! What time should I travel to? What should I see at that time period? Is there anything I should be concerned about? Sincerely, Hannibal C. Quantumship
DEAR HANNIBAL C. QUANTUMSHIP. First, make sure you are traveling somewhere that is not dangerous, like during a war! Then, I recommend you try traveling to the moon, because you could see another planet. Next, you should try to not interfere with the past, because it may change the present day! Last, you should bring snacks so that you don’t get hungry. I would bring chips, cookies, PB&J sandwiches, purple spicy chili Doritos, or carrots.
Sincerely, GROUP 4
10 | MS. Willis’ Class
Illustrate your good advice Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 11
12 | MS. Willis’ Class
Write Your Own Inklings
Author Name: If I Were You: First,
Then,
14 | MS. Willis’ Class
Next
And then,
Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 15
Finally,
About the Author
16 | MS. Willis’ Class
Illustrate your good advice Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 17
Acknowledgments 826michigan Publications Team
Jessica Pace, Designer/Illustrator Annie Else, Publications Intern Robyn Charles, Publications Editor
Fieldtrip Volunteers
Emily Xin-Yi Teh Charlotte Moore Shelby Baker Rachel Zacny Mikaela Trowbridge Mahima Srikanth Ashley Zhang Graham Dallas
Partner Teachers
Ms. Willis, 3rd grade teacher
The School Staff and Administration Adrian Monge, Principal
Anne Else Susan Morrel-Samuels Katherine Vannoy Ashley Wefel Caitlin Koska Maya Weinbaum Jessica Parker Riley Shepherd Ariel Kaplowitz Hahn
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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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!
