Fiction
Name: Speak
Author: Laurie H. Anderson
Publication Information: Farrar Straus Giroux October 1999
Grade Level: 6-8
Content Area: Healthy Relationships
This book is the best fiction book for student 6-8 grade on heathy relationships because it encompasses all the relationships that a middle school student would have. The main character is not talking to anyone at the start of the book and has lost all of her friends. The reader must keep reading the book to find out what happens and how she mends the relationships.
I would read this during part of science class during the sex education portion. I would have students keep to a schedule so they are able to come to class and discuss the readings. Each week they would break into different groups and talk about what happened in the previous chapter. The discussions would only be for 10-20 minutes once a week to not take away from the core curriculum. To get the students excited about reading the book I would show them a clip of the book.
- In the first section, what are the signs that Melinda has experienced a trauma?
- Why do you think Melinda’s best friends from middle school turned against her immediately rather than asking what happened?
- If you were one of Melinda’s friends from middle school, do you think you would just drop her as a friend? Would you try to communicate with her, support her? How?
- What are the signs Melinda’s parents should notice that would make them realize she’s had something terrible happen? Why didn’t Melinda confide in them?
- Try putting yourself in the place of Melinda’s parents for a moment. How do you think they view Melinda? Why, from their point of view, do they feel such frustration with her?
- What are some of the ways Melinda has developed to help herself cope?
- Do you think Melinda suffers from post-traumatic stress? Why?
Standards:
Standard 8: Students will demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family , and community, health.
Body Image and Eating Disorders: Explain how body image influences eating disorders. H2.So2.8
Identify signs, symptoms, and consequences of eating disorders. H1.So2.8
Expressing Emotions: Compare and contrast the influence of family, culture, and media on how emotions are expressed. H2.So4.8
Summarize characteristics of empathy and compassion. H1.So4.6b
Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying: Advocate for a bully-free school and community environment. H8.So5.8
Compare and contrast the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on harassment, intimidation, and bullying. H2.So5.HS
Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux.
Non-Fiction
Name: The Five Love Languages
Author: Gary Chapman
Publication Information: Manjul Publishing 2010
Grade Level: 6-8
Content Area: Healthy Relationships
This book is the best fiction book for student 6-8 grade on heathy relationships because it talks about love languages. I think that knowing or just thinking about what your love language is helps in a relationship. There are five different love languages: words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, physical touch.
I would read this during part of science class during the sex education portion. I would have students keep to a schedule so they are able to come to class and discuss the readings. Each week they would break into different groups and talk about the different love languages. The discussions would only be for 10-20 minutes once a week to not take away from the core curriculum. To get the students interested in the 5 love languages I would show them this clip.
Standards:
Standard 4: Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.
Analyzing Influences: Analyze how family, peers, media, culture, and technology influence health decisions and behaviors. H2.W4.5
Communication: Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication skills. H4.W6.5
Decision-Making: Apply decision- making skills to make a health-enhancing choice. H5.W7.5
Chapman, G. D. (2010). The five love languages: how to express heartfelt commitment to your mate. Bhopal, India: Manjul Pub.