《声音》启明星专刊 VOICES for Daystar Academy VOICES Fall/Winter Edition 2018 | Page 14

DS BEIGAO ELC
Reflections
on Todd Parr’s Visit
By Riaan Nagel, Kindergarten A English Teacher
A
few months ago, I found out that
our Early Childhood Center (ELC)
at Daystar Academy will host a
world-renowned children’s book
author. I felt very fortunate to have a
famous author come and visit our students
and I was very eager to use this opportunity
to provide my students with the chance to
experience something that they have never
experienced before. Then I found out that
this famous author was going to be Todd
Parr. I was thrilled, overjoyed and extremely
excited all at once. I mean this is a man who
has written more than 40 books for children,
including the New York Times bestselling
“The I Love You Book”, “The Earth Book”,
and “The Thankful Book”. I immediately
started thinking of various activities and
learning opportunities that I could do with
my students that would generate curiosity
and help them gain new knowledge. This
was because I have read and used Todd Parr’s
books countless times over the past 12 years
Daystar Academy Fall/Winter Edition 2018
with my students there was no shortage of
amazing activities.
I could go on for hours talking about what
my class and I did in the lead up to Todd
Parr’s visit but that would take too long...!
Rather, I would like to take this opportunity
to tell you about two instances that were
very memorable to me.
The first memorable experience happened
while we were reading the book “It’s Okay
to Be Different.” I chose this book because
it is a great tool for teaching diversity and
tolerance with Kindergarten students. My
children were attracted by the simple and
colorful look of the book and characters. In
the book, Todd Parr showcases various ways
that we are different and that it is Ok to be
so. On page seven, Todd tells us that “… it’s
ok to have wheels.” The picture of a green
colored boy on a purple colored wheel chair
instantly resonated in a very strong and