Global Read Aloud- Out of My Mind

The Global Read Aloud begins on Monday.  Have you gotten your book yet?  Don't worry if not you still have a couple of days.  I just finished the recommended book for 4th grade and up Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper.  I think of all the recommended books for the Global Read Aloud this on was my absolute favorite.  It spoke right to my heart.

Out of My Mind is the story of a 5th grade girl with cerebral palsy.  She is very intelligent but cannot talk or control her body.  The book tells the story of her struggles with trying to fit in with the "normal" kids in her inclusion classroom.  The reader soon finds out that Melody is like any other 5th grader.  She worries about her clothes, what other people think about her and she just wants to paint her nails and tell secrets!  This book has so many wonderful life lessons tied to it that would be great for discussions with the Global Read Aloud.

I wanted to share with you some quotes that I pulled out that could lead to some great discussion among students.  I had many more than just this but I wanted to narrow it down.  I included some possible questions to get students thinking.

"After folks got finished making a list of my problems, they might take time to notice that I have a fairly nice smile and deep dimples- I  think my dimples are cool." pg. 4
        - Why do you think we always notice people's problems first?
        - What can we do to start noticing people's strengths?

"Kids, who for the most part, ignore kids like me." pg. 28
        - Have you ever ignored a kid like Melody?  Why?
        - Have you ever included a kid like Melody? Why?

"To people like Claire and Molly, I say, 'We all have disabilities. What's yours?'" pg. 168
          - Do you have a disability?  What is it?

"Mom nods in agreement. 'I know you're right, but- but... it's just so much harder for Melody.' 'No, it's harder for us.  We have to figure out what's in her head.'" pg. 170
           - What has Melody taught you?

 If I had known about this book when I taught in a 4th and 5th grade full inclusion classroom it would have been number one on my read aloud list. Here is a list of a couple of other books and video clips that are on this same topic.

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
Rules by Cynthia Lord
Team Hoyt (goes with the video)

Don't forget to start the Global Read Aloud on Monday.  You can use twitter, skype or blogs to participate.  I cannot wait to hear how you decide to connect with other classroom!

Happy Reading!
Laura