If I Were You—Advice to Students from the Students of Ms. jabari and Mr. Marra’s 3rd Grade Class

If I Were You Advice from Students for Students

If I Were You Advice From students for students

Ms. jabari and mr. Marra’s 3rd Grade Class at Ypsilanti Community Schools

FIRST EDITION 2020 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 © 2020 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.

By purchasing this book, you are helping 826michigan continue to offer free

student programs. For more information, please visit: 826michigan.org

Table of Contents If I were you . . .

Advice from Ms. Jabari and Mr. Marra’s Class. . . . . . . 3

If I were you Group Inklings Group 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Group 2

.................................................................8

Group 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Group 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Group 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

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. Jabari and Mr. Marra

Advice from Ms. Jabari and Mr. Marra’s Class

Dear 826, 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’re stuck at home, you can try making a project, like making a tiny rocket ship or a robot! You can also read a book, or go in your room to have a fake tea party!

Then, you can do an art project using paper, like drawing something, folding it like origami, or making a birthday card, even if it’s not someone’s birthday.

Next, you can make a robodog. The dog can keep you company and keep you entertained!

Last, you can read more books from Epic.

Sincerely, MS. JABARI AND MR. MARRA’S CLASS

Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 3

If I Were You Group Inklings

My house is definitely haunted, but no one in my family believes me. What should I do?

Sincerely, Buster Ghosts

DEAR BUSTER GHOSTS, First, you could get something that would prove the ghost was there and show your family! You could record them with a camera or trick them by taking a picture on Snapchat.

Then, you want to have a plan for how to hide from the ghosts!

Maybe under a sheet or a blanket.

Last, if nothing else works, you may need to just move and get a new house! But, make sure they don’t see you and follow you to your new house!

Sincerely, GROUP 1

Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 7

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, you should get armor or gloves and get your hand in it.

Maybe the glove will turn to cheese, but then the other things you touch won’t turn to cheese. Use that new hand to get the stuff you want, but make sure you don’t use it for bad things!

Then, you should go to the doctor and they could give you a cure. The cure might be something you can pour in your mouth. Make sure you don’t touch the doctor and turn them into cheese!

Next, get some nose plugs and get some air freshener so that it won’t be smelly.

Last, live your life with cheese. You’ll get used to it.

Sincerely, GROUP 2

8 | Ms. Jabari and Mr. Marra

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, you can celebrate your birthday at your house. You could watch a movie. I would pick a family movie that everyone would like to watch!

Then, you can have popcorn or a little bit of healthy food and a little bit of candy. You could have some hot soup in case someone is sick.

Next, you could play games! You could go play at the park.

You could play with water balloons as long as it is a little bit warm.

Last, you can hang out with some of your friends on Zoom.

You could play games online, and that might feel like you are together!

Sincerely, GROUP 3

Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 9

I’ve heard rumors that the principal at my school is actually an alien. In fact, he even told my class he has a spaceship! How should I deal with an alien running our school?

Sincerely, Spaced Out

DEAR SPACED OUT, First, find out what the alien looks like. They are green, have three eyes, and lots of arms.

Then, make an app that translates to an alien language so you can tell him his spaceship is broken.

Next, hide the spaceship under a blue cover so he can’t find it.

Last, you can put hot sauce in his lunch so he will run out of the door.

Sincerely, GROUP 4

10 | Ms. Jabari and Mr. Marra

I’ve heard rumors that the principal at my school is actually an alien. In fact, he even told my class he has a spaceship! How should I deal with an alien running our school?

Sincerely, Spaced Out

DEAR SPACED OUT, First, if you think your principal is an alien, ask your principal to take off their wig and show their antennas.

Then, you should read a magic scroll from Madagascar. Take the seeds from the scroll, squish them together, heat them in the microwave, and then put it on your principal’s suit to check if it’s actually a space suit.

Next, in case your principal (the alien) could change their voice, you should try turning off the power sources to see if their translator breaks.

Last, if you find out your principal really is an alien, switch schools as soon as possible!

Sincerely, GROUP 5

Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 11

12 | Ms. Jabari and Mr. Marra

Write Your Own Inklings

Author Name: If I Were You: First,

Then,

14 | Ms. Jabari and Mr. Marra

Next

And then,

Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 15

Finally,

About the Author

16 | Ms. Jabari and Mr. Marra

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

Charlotte Moore Kaylyn Toale Constance Powers Anne Else Caitlin Koska

Partner Teachers

Jessica Dailey Maria del Mar Estrada Rebull Ariel Kaplowitz Hahn Catherine Calabro

Ms. Jabari, 3rd grade teacher Mr. Marra, 3rd grade teacher Ms. McWilliams, paraprofessional educator

The School Staff and Administration Mr. Johnson, Principal Yilliam Cordero-Bishop, Office Admin

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.

ONLINE LEARNING LAB

For the 2020–21 school year, our programs will remain virtual. When is it safe to return to our in-person programs, we plan to continue to offer virtual program opportunities as well!

SCHOOLWORK SUPPORT

The program formerly-known as tutoring has been given an updated name, but the same great foundations remain. We organize trained volunteer tutors to work with students one-on-one with their homework after school. Schoolwork Support is available for all subjects, for students ages 8-18.

WORKSHOPS

We offer a number of free workshops taught by professional artists, writers, and our talented volunteers. From comic books to screenplays, bookmaking to radio, our wide variety of workshops are perfect for writers of all ages and interests.

One of the most popular workshops we offer is our weekly Wee-bots program for elementary-aged writers.

IN-SCHOOL PROJECTS

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.

FIELD TRIPS

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.

OUR STORES

Our Robot Supply Co. stores are one-stop shops for robots, robot owners, and enthusiasts alike. They are designed to inspire creativity and bring awareness of our programs to the community. Please visit us online at onwardrobots.com.

All proceeds from our stores directly fund our free student programming.

Onward robots!

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!