I Wish My Teacher Knew: How One Question Can Change Everything for Our Kids

Author: Kyle Schwartz

Date of Publication: July 12th, 2016

Publisher: Da Capo Lifelong Books

Summary: I heard about this book a while back when it was published. Kyle Schwartz, the author of the book tells the story of how she posed one question to her class: I wish my teacher knew _____. The book opens up a great dialogue about student-teacher relationships, as well as student’s personal relationships. This book is a great resource because it could be integrated into any classroom as a resource for teachers, and could also be integrated into classrooms as student literature. I think this book would be a benefit to students because it would make them aware that there are other kids going through what they are going through. It also talks about how important it is to be connected through healthy relationships. It could also be integrated into a social studies curriculum, talking about interpersonal relationships on a larger scale and in different communities.

Integration: Since community plays such an important role in the overall social studies units, I would use this book to ask students to write about and discuss the importance of healthy relationships and how the community has an impact on everybody’s lives. I would have students work with a partner in the community (which the teacher would assign) and interview them about the importance of healthy relationships. Students will than supplement this knowledge using this book and by finding one other resource. This helps to drive the importance of talking with family members about relationships while also teaching students about how to conduct research.

National Health Education Standards (NHES):

• H3.Se5.6: Explain the importance of talking with a family member and other trusted adults about relationships.

Common Core Standards – Reading/Literature: 

• 6.7: Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.