Squid and Octopus: Friends for Always
Materials

• unusual objects that students may not be familiar with: (i.e. colander, tulip bulb, plastic juicer, etc.) 

 Explore, Discover, and More:

• Several ready made kites (1 per 2-3 students) or create your own: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Kite-Out-of-a-Plastic-Bag. The video will provide you with specifics for each of the following: large plastic bag (1 per kite), 2 sticks, tape, string

Introducing The story

Bring in several items with which students are probably unfamiliar, such as a colander or strainer, a plastic juicer, ” a tulip bulb, etc. Pass the items around (one at a time) and have students, in groups, talk about and imagine what the object is and what it is used for. Give time for each group to share ideas. Encourage the following components of creativity - for more information regarding each component visit Imagination Jr.
Fluency - The number of ideas you have
Flexibility - The different categories for your ideas
Originality - Thinking of ideas that others don t
Elaboration - The details you add to your ideas

Explain what the object was originally intended for and acknowledge their very creative ideas!
Discuss the reasons why we may all see things differently. (Each of us has a brain and an imagination that allows us to see things in different ways.)

Reading The Story

Read the story aloud, stopping when appropriate to explore illustrations, address comments, clarify, predict and guide students’ understanding of the story and the values of community -kehillah, to Welcome New Friends- Hachnasat Orchim, and Respect- Kavod.

Discussion Questions May Include:

• Why do you think each of Octopus’s friend thought the boot was something entirely different? Which did you think was the funniest? The strangest? The most unusual?
• Imagine that you had never seen a boot before, what things would you think it could be? Brainstorm and list suggestions. Encourage the four components of creativity (see “Before” activity above.)
• Encourage students to examine the pictures in this chapter carefully. In what ways do the creatures in the sea show community? (How do they work together, play together, share ideas, show kindness, etc.?)

After The Story

What Could It Be?

• Put students in groupings of 3 so that students have an opportunity to work with new partners. Provide each group with an everyday item (the same item) such as a slinky, a bar of soap, a comb, etc. Have each group imagine that they have never seen anything like it before in their lives--what could it be???? 
• Let them look at the item carefully, hold it, play with it, and come up with ideas of what it would be. From their list, have each group select a favorite idea. 
• Provide a variety of craft items (pipe cleaners, plastic flowers, stickers, paper clips, yarn, etc. that groups can use to turn the item into the creation they envisioned. 
• Have each group give their item a name, share it with the class--how it works, what it can do, etc., Take a photo of each group with their new creations. Display items and photos in the classroom. 

“Let’s Go Fly a Kite”
The illustrations in Chapter 3,“The Hat,” reflect a variety of ways to involve a community of students in activities that involve cooperation, sharing, and supporting one another. In one of the illustrations, eel and fish are flying a kite, “the current is perfect….” During indoor recess time, involve students in making their own kites, and when the weather is perfect, take them outdoors:

• Play the video from the movie Mary Poppins that features the song, “Let’s Go Fly a Kite.”

• Have students sing along-especially during the repetitive verses. 
• You can buy several kites ready-made and have students decorate them and make the tails, or you can make your own and ask for some assistance from your community members to help assist in the classroom. The following website provides step-by-step directions for making kites, at little cost, and it only takes minutes:how to make a kite out of a plastic bag
• Take students outside to try their kites (working together to get them “... up to the highest heights...”). 

School Scavenger Hunt:
Divide students into small groups ( give them the opportunity to be with students with whom they have not yet had a great deal of interaction). Create a Scavenger Hunt in which they can find specific items in the classroom, playground and other areas of the school. For sample Scavenger hunts that focus on the classroom, back to school or that target different areas of the school, check out:
Follow Tiffany Robinson Moore s board Scavenger Hunt Ideas For Kids on Pinterest.

• Students are observed sharing ideas and materials. 
• Students are respectful in their reactions to other students’ ideas.
• Students ideas and responses reflect the components of creative thinking.
• Students problem solve and find ways to help one another as they fly their kites.

* PJ library Books