Social Justice Books and Activities for Grade Five Students

This activity includes Grade Five specific suggestions on how to use the following picture books to tackle issues such as bullying, conflict resolution and exclusion:

The Tale of Sir Dragon: Dealing with Bullies for Kids (and DRAGONS)
Written by Jean E. Pendziwol
Illustrated by Martine Gourbault
Published by Kids Can Press
Issues: Conflict Resolution – Bullying

Please Louise!
Written by Frieda Wishinsky
Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay
Published by Groundwood Books
Issue: Conflict Resolution

Pink
Written by Nan Gregory
Illustrated by Luc Melanson
Published by Groundwood Books
Issues: Social Justice and Equity – Character Building

In this activity, students will explain how people’s actions (e.g. bullying, excluding others) can affect the feelings and reactions of others.

Step # 1: Have the students brainstorm ideas about how certain behaviours such as name calling, bullying and excluding make others feel and react.

Step # 2: Read the picture book to the students.

Step # 3: Have the students identify the conflicts in the story and think up possible solutions.

Step # 4: Have the student write a reflection discussing a time in their lives when another persons actions affected their feelings.