Title: Freaking Out: Real-Life Stories about Anxiety
Author: Polly Wells
Publisher: Annick Press
Illustrator: Peter Mitchell
Publication Date: 2011
Available on Amazon for $12.07
There are 13 chapters that each feature one person’s story with anxiety. The book is written in a straight froward manner that is relatable for teens. This book is intriguing for students to read because it is not a collection of teenagers visiting a psychologist and finally getting better. Rather, these stories are raw and unedited. The content is more mature but it is important for students to hear these stories so that they know that they are not alone in the feelings that they have.
This book does tend to end on a “it will get better’ perspective but for younger students, it is important for them to feel empowered and like they have control over their lives. More often than not, these students are facing many changes that leave them feeling like they don’t have a say in what happens to them. This book instills hope in them but also doesn’t feel too preachy. Only a few of these stories are appropriate for 5th graders so teachers should use this as a resource to hand to students that might be struggling with specific situations, not as a ‘free time’ read.
Title: The Exciting Endocrine System
Author: John Burstein
Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company
Publication Date: 2009
Available on Amazon for $8.95
This is an informative resource for students to use as they learn more about stress. This book helps students learn what happens inside the body when they get stressed. I think this is important for them to know so that they can understand the effects of stress on their health. It also make learning about stress more personal since it is happening in their bodies.
Standards:
Common Core State Standard
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.3.B
Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, description, and pacing, to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations.
Mental and Emotional Health Curriculum: Healthy Behavior Outcomes
HBO 3. Prevent and manage interpersonal conflict in healthy ways.
HBO 4. Prevent and manage emotional stress and anxiety in healthy ways
HBO 6. Get help for troublesome thoughts, feelings, or actions for oneself and others.
National Health Standards
Standard 4: Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.
Standard 6: Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance health.
Standard 7: Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.
Standard 8 Students will demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family, and community health.