Mentor Text: Wants vs. Needs

Happy Memorial Day everyone! I've been enjoying the day with family and friends and I'm so very thankful to live in this country, with the freedoms I have, thanks to all of the military members past and present. To all active military and veterans, thank you!

I've been slacking a bit with blogging here of late. School was out for students last Wednesday (crazy that in just a couple of days a week of summer will have already come and gone!) I've spent a lot of time catching up with the last of my college friends that were finishing up school before they move around the state and across the country. I've also been pinning away a ton of summer project todo's and lesson ideas for ELA this next year. Be on the look out this week for all sorts of todo's, reflections, and fun stuff along the way.

I'm linking up a little late with the Collaboration Cuties for the great linkup. (I cannot wait to look back over all of the previous link up... major book order coming soon!) This week's topic is Social Studies. Since I haven't taught social studies since practicums during my undergraduate work, some weeks I have to scratch my head and think before a book comes to me. This week I finally remembered one from those good ol' practicums days: Those Shoes.

All Jeremy wants is a pair of "those shoes", you know the ones... the ones that everyone at school seems to be wearing. Unfortunately Jeremy's grandma says they don't have room for "wants" just "needs". When his old shoes fall apart at school we wants "those shoes" even more. After various attempts Jereme soon see the things that he does have, warm boots, a grandma who loves him, and the chance to help others out--- things that are worth more than "those shoes".

It was a cute book (the illustrations really showcase the text well) with a great message. Whether the students in your class are those with or without those shoes or whatever the "hot" item might be, I feel that they can sympathize with Jeremy and be glad with the choices that he eventually makes. 

A great conversation starter for the wants and needs of life.