Yesterday, one of the instructors read a poem about Sticks and Stones. It talked about the fact the words can make or break someone's spirit. Words are extremely important. Thinking about this book called Why? it is extremely obvious to see that words from the mouse could have caused the war not to happen. This story would have been completely different.
My first thought is of what could have been saved had the first two animals just talked it out to begin with. There would still be trees and flowers and grass and everything else for the entire population to enjoy. Instead there is nothing for anyone to enjoy all because two animals forgot the imortance of communication.
At first I was a little confused at what was going on. I think this would be a great tool to show younger children the importance of communicating with their peers. Often a small problem turns into a huge one with my other people involved when if it was addresses and discussed it could have been solved easily.
Isn't that saying a picture is worth a thousand words??? Sounds appropriate in this case... many words and thoughts can be generated from these pictures...
So soon we are quick to react without thinking about the consequences. We dive without any concern for others. We think of ourselves only. Perhaps our feelings are hurt or we believe we deserve something and have not been rewarded for our efforts. We attack initially and then are forced to deal with the aftermath later.
Weigh the reasons before taking the first attack. Be sure you're making the right choice, because sometimes there is no going back, and everyone will loose. Make sure what you will gain will be worth what you loose.
My initial feelings about the "WHY" story is that communication is a very important instrument that often times goes unused. The message that is being conveyed is really strong and you can see how silly war is when being illustrated in a picture book with mice and frogs.
Initially I thought that this is a great book...it allows for the reader to create his/her own narrative for the story. I think that the discussion of the affects (effects?) of war on everything involved (from people to plants to umbrellas) could be very influential in helping students start to take ownership of their own beliefs about conflict. (But then I started thinking of the boy sin my class getting stuck on how cool the shoe tanks were and that maybe some meaning would get lost in that). Still really love the book.
There should be a mandatory cooling off period after someone declares war. Would they be so anxious if they took a month to think about the consequences. We need to teach children how to tame their rage, consider the consequences, and alternatives.
Isn't it funny how alike adults and toddlers can be? A two-year-old wants a toy, because another child has it. The other child only keeps it because someone else wants it.
At the beginning of the book I was expecting a happier tale, seeing as the characters were a frog and a mouse. I expected to see that the wind had blown the mouse into the frog, and he had not jumped upon him. I thought there would have been a discovery of a misunderstanding, followed by a happy resolution. I was surprised that it turned into a full out mouse and frog armegedon (sp?) over a simple flower. What a powerful tool to use in the classroom!
Such a small book, but such big insight! One thing I think about a lot, is that everything we do has an effect. If individuals, groups, countries, etc. would stop to think about all of the effects of their actions, maybe some hurt feelings, destruction, etc. could be stopped or at least minimized.
A little communication can go a long way in resolving issues before they get out of control.
ReplyDeleteWhy??? What is the purpose of war? Does ANYONE really win?
ReplyDeleteYesterday, one of the instructors read a poem about Sticks and Stones. It talked about the fact the words can make or break someone's spirit. Words are extremely important. Thinking about this book called Why? it is extremely obvious to see that words from the mouse could have caused the war not to happen. This story would have been completely different.
ReplyDeleteMy first thought is of what could have been saved had the first two animals just talked it out to begin with. There would still be trees and flowers and grass and everything else for the entire population to enjoy. Instead there is nothing for anyone to enjoy all because two animals forgot the imortance of communication.
ReplyDeleteAt first I was a little confused at what was going on. I think this would be a great tool to show younger children the importance of communicating with their peers. Often a small problem turns into a huge one with my other people involved when if it was addresses and discussed it could have been solved easily.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that saying a picture is worth a thousand words??? Sounds appropriate in this case... many words and thoughts can be generated from these pictures...
ReplyDeleteSo soon we are quick to react without thinking about the consequences. We dive without any concern for others. We think of ourselves only. Perhaps our feelings are hurt or we believe we deserve something and have not been rewarded for our efforts. We attack initially and then are forced to deal with the aftermath later.
ReplyDeleteWeigh the reasons before taking the first attack. Be sure you're making the right choice, because sometimes there is no going back, and everyone will loose. Make sure what you will gain will be worth what you loose.
ReplyDeleteMy initial feelings about the "WHY" story is that communication is a very important instrument that often times goes unused. The message that is being conveyed is really strong and you can see how silly war is when being illustrated in a picture book with mice and frogs.
ReplyDeleteInitially I thought that this is a great book...it allows for the reader to create his/her own narrative for the story. I think that the discussion of the affects (effects?) of war on everything involved (from people to plants to umbrellas) could be very influential in helping students start to take ownership of their own beliefs about conflict. (But then I started thinking of the boy sin my class getting stuck on how cool the shoe tanks were and that maybe some meaning would get lost in that). Still really love the book.
ReplyDeleteThere should be a mandatory cooling off period after someone declares war. Would they be so anxious if they took a month to think about the consequences. We need to teach children how to tame their rage, consider the consequences, and alternatives.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny how alike adults and toddlers can be? A two-year-old wants a toy, because another child has it. The other child only keeps it because someone else wants it.
ReplyDeleteVery powerful picture book that takes us deep into the reality of war. In the end nobody wins!
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of the book I was expecting a happier tale, seeing as the characters were a frog and a mouse. I expected to see that the wind had blown the mouse into the frog, and he had not jumped upon him. I thought there would have been a discovery of a misunderstanding, followed by a happy resolution. I was surprised that it turned into a full out mouse and frog armegedon (sp?) over a simple flower. What a powerful tool to use in the classroom!
ReplyDeleteSuch a small book, but such big insight! One thing I think about a lot, is that everything we do has an effect. If individuals, groups, countries, etc. would stop to think about all of the effects of their actions, maybe some hurt feelings, destruction, etc. could be stopped or at least minimized.
ReplyDeletePowerful. It is amazing a book without words can communicate the tragedies of miscommunication.
ReplyDelete