Fifth graders at Dogwood celebrated learning differences through their study of Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. The book explores the life of Ally, a gifted girl who has artistic and mathematical talents, though she cannot read due to dyslexia. She hides it from everyone, even her parents, until a great teacher discovers it and helps her.
“It was good for the kids who struggle with reading,” fifth grade teacher Ms. Fredrick said. “They realize that they aren’t defined by that disability. It is eye opening for other children. They realize they should have empathy.”
Throughout the study of the book, teachers incorporated real world figures who struggle. Students completed research on Tamika Catchings, who was born with a hearing disability. Then they wrote a compare/contrast essay about her experiences and coping mechanisms.
To culminate the study of the book, the fifth grade teachers hosted a Fish in a Tree celebration. Students chose quotes from the book that highlight the rich figurative language, and they dressed up as their interpretation of the quote.
“I chose a quote that compared the letters on the page to butterflies,” fifth grader Ellia Zakhireh said. “I chose it because I like butterflies. Ally is dyslexic, and the letters are as hard to catch as butterflies for her."
Students went to each fifth grade classroom to participate in an activity related to the book. Ally is an incredibly gifted child even though she cannot read, so she excels in logical thinking. To pay homage to that skill and the game the fictional teacher played with Ally, Mr. Bozeman hosted a game of “What’s in the Box?”
“In the book, this is the first time Ally is praised by a teacher,” Ms. Fredrick said.
The game was engaging for Dogwood students too. "The students love playing the same game the characters did," fifth grade teacher Mrs. Guynes said. "At the end of the day, we gathered all the students into the hallway and unboxed each one to see who was able to guess the most correctly."
Mrs. Henson led a creative thinking activity with a group logic puzzle. Mrs. Coleman hosted a competitive novel trivia game, and Mrs. Guynes set up Chess 101 in her classroom because Ally’s teacher knows she will excel at the critical thinking skills and strategy involved with chess. Ms. Fredrick’s station celebrated Ally’s artistic talent. The classes created a group art project.
"We discuss at length how everyone has different strengths, and it is okay to be different," Mrs. Guynes said. "This is such an important theme for students to learn as they head into middle school."
Students did learn that lesson. “People have success in different ways,” said fifth grader Nick Soucia.
Students learned to appreciate their differences while having fun. They learned about acceptance and being careful about what they say to people.
“It is important to be kind to everyone because you don’t know what they are going through,” said fifth grader Ellie Hoover.
Teachers also hope that students learn to ask for help when they need it. Ally hid her disability, but it was not something she should have been embarrassed about. Teachers want students to understand that it is ok to admit they need help.
"In the book, the author writes very candidly about ways that the teacher tries to help a student through her learning challenges," Mrs. Guynes said. "Our students begin to realize that their teachers are always trying their best to help them, and sometimes that looks different for every person."