Teachers Impacted: Claire Ford
Grade Levels Impacted: 7th
Students Impacted: 160
Description: Adding a collection of picture books by Jory John will support and enhance authentic learning experiences in FISD by providing students with engaging, relatable stories that connect directly to social-emotional learning and character growth. John's books, such as The Bad Seed, The Good Egg, and The Cool Bean, use humor and approachable illustrations to explore themes like resilience, empathy, responsibility, and self-acceptance. These texts invite students to reflect on their own choices and relationships in ways that feel natural rather than forced.

Because picture books allow for quick yet meaningful entry points, they are ideal for facilitating authentic discussions in our connections period and general education classroom settings. Junior high students often appreciate the accessibility of picture books while also recognizing the deeper life lessons embedded within them. By adding this resource, meaningful instruction will be added to launch conversations, write reflections, and cross-curricular projects that tie literacy to real-life experiences.

By weaving Jory John's works into instruction, FISD can promote authentic learning-where students don't just consume content but make personal connections, practice perspective-taking, and apply SEL skills in their daily lives. These books will serve as mirrors and windows: mirrors that help students see their own struggles and strengths, and windows that open them to understanding others.