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Do you know this book?
The Best Part of Me by Wendy Ewald
A photographer asked children ”What is the best part of you?” Each child wrote a short essay explaining their best part and it was compiled into a book.
I discovered this book several years ago and introduced it to teachers as a possible writing lesson. They oohed and ahhed as they looked at the book, but that’s as far as it has ever gone. I have never seen evidence that anyone tried it with their class.
This week I walked into a school, hustling down the hall to the room where I would meet with the teachers and stopped in my tracks. On the wall was a small display of black and white photos of body parts and writings below. I didn’t have time to stop at that moment, but knew I would revisit to study the pictures and read the writing. And take photos of their work.
I had not introduced the book to this school. I was curious if someone had this book. What I discovered was this writing was from a special education class. The teacher had no clue there was a book . She had seen something on Pinterest and that had prompted her project. She said the kids had loved doing this.
Here are two of them (original spelling retained):
The Best Part of Me
My hands are the best part of me. They hlp me turn pages in books so I can read. My hands hlp me lift wood for the fire. I use my hands to blld presnts for my sisters.
The Best Part of Me
My feet are the best prt of me. I can wok inewher with my feet. I can run at reses with my feet. I can stand up with my feet.
So now I must ponder, what is the best part of me?
Mar 19, 2013 @ 00:27:47
Awesome idea. I’ll have to check out the book.
Mar 18, 2013 @ 10:59:27
So glad I didn’t miss this post, either. I may have to try to write a post inspired by yours… and this book!
Mar 18, 2013 @ 04:25:05
I just bookmarked the book, Elsie. What a wonderful idea, & how serendipitous that that school had a teacher who didn’t know but just saw an idea. I will certainly share & share this one! Congrats on your commenting, too. I notice, & always appreciate your comments!
Mar 18, 2013 @ 02:02:28
I love this idea! I haven’t heard of the book but the idea behind it is great.
Thanks for sharing it.
Mar 18, 2013 @ 00:56:23
What a great idea to do with my kindergarten kiddos! I can just imagine many saying the missing tooth is their favorite part. I’d be very curious to hear what they had to say. I just might have to try this out! Art project AND writing all in one! Can’t beat it!
Mar 17, 2013 @ 23:40:02
Wow! Love this! Thank you so much for sharing it all.
Mar 17, 2013 @ 23:17:37
I asked Lily what the best part of her is, and she says it’s her mouth because she says she loves me all the time! Thanks for sharing this lovely activity.
Mar 17, 2013 @ 22:17:14
I’m pinning this post. Love the idea and the photos. Thanks for more inspiration.
Mar 17, 2013 @ 22:01:30
Wow, what a neat project! I’m so glad you shared the student pieces with us. (I wish I taught younger kids so I could do this — although I wonder if my high schoolers would go for it as a slice of life? It might be a cool way to introduce slicing to my beginners…) Thanks for giving me something to ponder!
My best part is my smile. I’ve always been known for my huge smile that crinkles up my eyes so much that everyone wonders how I can see out of them!
Mar 17, 2013 @ 20:32:03
Looks like another addition for my Amazon cart. This idea reminds me of a school I visited a few weeks ago. At the beginning of the year they talked about their individual gifts that they bring to the classroom. They wrote about them and they were displayed either in or outside the classroom. Kept there the whole year to remind everyone that each has gifts to bring to the community. Thanks for sharing the book.
Mar 17, 2013 @ 19:33:58
I’m ordering the book, and how wonderfully coincidental that you found material right under you nose…
Mar 17, 2013 @ 18:44:37
What a great writing assignment. I’m thinking this is a great blog post for my freshmen!
Mar 17, 2013 @ 18:12:17
Love this too! I think I’ve seen something on Pinterest as well, but bringing the book into the writing process adds new life! Thank you for sharing!!
Mar 17, 2013 @ 17:45:13
love, Love, LOVE! I am going to share this with teacher-friends near and far, and then I am going to use this as a spring project that will reel them back in as they want to play outside, and keep them practicing all of the skills we have worked so hard on this year, while having fun! Thanks for sharing, Elsie!
Mar 17, 2013 @ 17:09:28
Wonderful idea! I will save this idea for after our testing season is finally over. Elsie, thank you for the many comments on my students’ posts!
Mar 17, 2013 @ 17:04:53
Where did I put that book? Yes I will confess I heard about it in a workshop and didn’t follow up.
Good ideas sometimes get lost under stuff I don’t want to do but am mandated to do. But…thanks for reminding me. I get lost, also under all the parts of me(I am thinking deeper than physical parts here) that I feel I fail at that often I do NOT think about the best part of me. Thanks for that reminder, too.
Mar 17, 2013 @ 16:23:26
What a great idea – too bad the teachers you introduced it to didn’t follow thru. I know I can pick out a lot of parts about me that I don’t like. How refreshing and positive to think of the “best part” of me.
Mar 17, 2013 @ 15:35:22
I love this! Thanks for sharing all of the images with us.
BTW: You won the Classroom Commenting Challenge. Thanks for all of your hard work. 45 student blogs was a heck of a lot considering how many adult blogs you comment on daily as part of this challenge. Thanks for all that you do for our writing community, Elsie!
Mar 17, 2013 @ 14:35:03
I am so buying this book and doing this project with my kids! What a great idea for kids to think of themselves and how they value themselves. Thanks, Elsie for the examples, too! I love the one with the missing tooth – kids! Gotta love them!
Mar 17, 2013 @ 14:33:16
This is awesome… I read this book as a read aloud to my students and then they write a piece. They are in 7th and 8th grade and they love it
Mar 17, 2013 @ 14:23:01
What a great idea to get students thinking and writing! I want to think about my best part . . . hmmm an idea for a slice! Thanks for sharing Elsie.
Mar 17, 2013 @ 14:08:14
Elsie,
What a great post! I loved the kids writing paired with the information about the book .
Mar 17, 2013 @ 14:00:27
This is such a wonderful mentor text for photo essays. I love that you shared student work. My favorite part of me is my eyes, their color, they help me to see all things beautiful or not, learn, absorb…read. Thanks for sharing
Mar 17, 2013 @ 13:59:38
This is a great book to present. Just your title caught my eye and I was already thinking, “What is the best part of me?” Kids will love it. I’ve got a good question for my grandkids.
Mar 17, 2013 @ 13:58:46
I love this! What a neat idea! I’ve read the book, but it’s been a long time. I’ll have to revisit it.
Mar 17, 2013 @ 13:57:57
I am pondering now, too. Such a lovely project.
Mar 17, 2013 @ 13:34:36
Elsie, I can’t wait to share this with my students on Monday. Great idea for their month of slicing.
Mar 17, 2013 @ 13:23:54
Wow. This is beautiful and striking. I’m unfamiliar with the book, but again your thoughts lead me to Amazon. How awesome, Elsie. I love that you included photographs of student work as well as typing out their texts. Nice!
Mar 17, 2013 @ 13:11:37
Oh, I love this. Especially the photographs of the children’s writing. I think the best part of me is my hands. Hands that hold babies in the church nursery. Or maybe my ears. Ears to listen.
What is your best part Elsie?