Notable Trade Book Lesson Jake’s Best Thumb Written by Ilene Cooper

Jake’s Best Thumb portrays a child who goes to Kindergarten still sucking his thumb. He is subsequently bullied for the habit. This lesson plan embraces building empathy among students in an effort to squelch bullying behaviors in the classroom. This lesson uses visual imagery, promoting positive conversation, and encouraging students to produce favorable comments about each their peers. The process of building a classroom community of acceptance is the end goal of this lesson plan.