Individuality Text Set

The theme for my text set is individuality. I chose this text set for second grade because

students are maturing from the first-grade aspect and trying to find their own likes and interests

in the world. I think that in this stage of life, students are trying to grow up and develop their

identity, but they also want to be like their friends. They are introduced to different groups of

friends, students from different backgrounds, students with special needs, etc. They are in the

process of trying to figure out whom they are and what they like, while wanting to fit in with

their peers. This text set focuses on individuality and why it is important for children to find their

voice. The text set includes books that showcase multiple self-esteem boasting techniques and

reassurance of uniqueness. According to the State Standards my text set does cover the historical

portion, and students are also expanding their vocabulary. Central questions that students can use

to explore this theme are; What does individuality mean? and, Why is it important to have a

sense of individuality in the community?

Book Title Genre Reading Summary Justification
Level/
Rationale
The name jar Fiction Level N Unhei moves I chose this book
from Korea to because it
This book is the United included
targeted for grades States. On her multiples aspects
1-2, and Pre K-K. first day of of new scenarios.
However, I do not school she gets Unhei moves to a
believe that pre-k teased on the bus new country,
students can read a about her name. enrolls in a new
book like this, based She begins to school, learns a
on vocab and length. feel self- new language;
This book is a conscious about all of this is a lot
higher read for it and when it is for a child to
second grade time to go into take in and they
students. the class to might feel like
introduce they are losing
herself, Unhei the real them.
tells the class As in Unheis
that she didnt case, she felt her
pick a name yet. name didnt even
The class is fit in her new
shocked and American life.
decides that they This book is a
will help Unhei great read to get
pick a new students talking
name. about cultural
differences and
how every name
has a beautiful
origin.
Mixed me Fiction Level K Mike is a mixed- I chose this book
race boy who because it
This book is simple loves his parents, focuses on a
in language and curly hair, and mixed-race boy.
students will be able who he is. He He admits he is
to read individually. has lots of pressured to pick
Level K is suited for energy and we a race of friends
second to third get to see what to be with, but he
grade students. It is he does with it. wants to be
a moderate book for He has lots of friends with
second graders. questions about everyone. I
being mixed and believe this is a
what that means good book for
for him. individuality and
promoting self-
esteem and
decision-making.
Chrysanthemum Fiction Level L Chrysanthemum Sometimes the
enters easiest way a
This book is kindergarten and child gets bullied
targeted for pre-k, k, suddenly, the is through their
first, and second name she once name. This book
grade, however I loved, she starts goes through a
find it quite difficult to loath. The sequence of
for pre-k and k to other girls have events where
read. It might be simple names, Chrysanthemum
even challenging for while hers is likes her name,
first grade without unusual and then as she gets
guidance, or proper long. The girls bullied, and hates
introduction. Level start to bully her her name, and
L is best suited for and say that they with the right
second to third will pluck her. support, she sees
grade. However, how unique her
Chrysanthemum name is. It is
starts to love her important to let
name again each student
when her know that his or
favorite teacher her name is
announces that unique to him or
she will name her.
her baby the
prettiest name
she heard,
Chrysanthemum.
Stand tall, Fiction Level L Molly Lou is I chose this book
Molly Lou short, clumsy, because it
Mellon This book is has buck teeth, touches on issues
targeted for students and a voice that of bullying.
in grades second to sounds like a Molly Lou is an
third, and Level L is bullfrog being easy target to get
in the middle of squeezed by a bullied because
level J and N, boa constrictor, of her specific
making it a but none of that traits, but
moderate book for bothers her. Her because of her
students to read. grandma told her self-esteem and
to walk proud love for herself,
and smile big, she is able to
sing clear, and disregard the
believe in bullys attempts.
herself, so Molly
Lou did!
However, on her
first day at her
 new school a
bully picks on
her. But, Molly
Lou knows
exactly what to
do!
It's Ok To Be Fiction Level I This story I chose this book
Different reassures because it dealt
This is a fairly children that with multiple
beginning read with everyone is ways a person
repeating sentences different and that can be different,
that enable students is ok! The story ranging from
to grasp the hits racial topics race, disabilities,
structure. by explaining, and abilities.
its okay to be a
different color.
It also touches
on disabilities
while explain
Its okay to
need help,
while showing a
blind adult with
a service dog. It
is a good read to
introduce young
readers to all the
differences there
are in people.
Ruby the Fiction Level K Ruby is the new I found this book
copycat girl at school. important
This book is She really wants because it is easy
recommended for to fit in and to want to be like
grades 1-5. make friends. the cool kid,
However, for first She notices her but it is more
grade, the read classmate important to find
might be difficult Angela and your own voice
without teacher wants to be like and style and be
instruction. I find her. If Angela known for who
this book best suited has a red bow, you are.
for grades 3rd and Ruby has a red
up. bow, if Angela
wears a dress,
Ruby wears a
dress. Rubys
teacher notices
 this and sets out
to show Ruby
how great it is to
be yourself and
find your own
style.
Mostly Fiction Level N Bernadette is a Not everyone has
monsterly monster, but she the same
This book has great knows she is not hobbies,
illustrations and the like the other interests, or
word content on monsters. She opinions on
each page is not enjoys petting certain things. It
overwhelming. The kittens, baking, is important to
book does use some and picking teach students
bigger vocabulary, flowers. She how to be
like mayhem, knows shes accepting of
conquered, and different, so she others. It also
gaped, which put it is very nervous demonstrates that
in a higher level. of her first day at even though
school. others may not
Bernadette must like what you
find a way to like, it is
still do what she important to stay
likes, while true to yourself.
meeting friends
who have
different hobbies
than her.
A bad case of Fiction Level P There is one This book is
stripes thing that about personal
This book has a lot Camilla Cream interests and not
of bigger vocabulary really likes, and falling for peer
words that student it is lima beans! pressure. Its a
would have to know But, the kids at good example to
the meaning of, or school dont feel do what you like
they should be able the same way and not worry
to use context clues. about them. what others think
Camilla is of you.
concerned what
her peers have to
say and she
doesnt eat her
favorite food as
a result. But, all
that has a
negative impact
 on Camilla. She
breaks out in
stripes that cover
her whole body!
The Change Fiction Level G Wilma Lee Wu This book
Your Name believes her explores the
Store This story flows in name is too different types of
rhythm and has a boring. She names that fit
repeating structure wants an with different
to make it repetitive interesting name cultures. I chose
for young readers. and sets out to this story
look for the because it lets
Change Your the reader
Name Store. At explore different
the store, she possible names
encounters many for Wilma. The
names from all ultimate
over the world. conclusion is that
Wilma is excited each name
to get a new uniquely fits
name and each each person.
time she chooses
a name, she
transports to the
country the
name is from.
Slowly she
realizes that she
doesnt belong
anywhere else
expect where she
was already at.
Big hair, don't Fiction Level E This story is I picked this
care about an African book because it
The structure of this American girl deals with
book is very simple. who has African
The wording is beautiful American
appropriate for voluminous hair. hairstyles for
beginning readers. She realizes that girls. I
it might be too understand there
big and get in is stigma
the way, but she surrounding
loves her hair! natural hair, or
She is very ethnic hair, so I
proud of her hair wanted a book to
and understands
 that she is represent that for
unique. individuality.
The skin you Fiction Level E This story I chose this book
live in presents the because of the
The wording and concept of skin emphasis put on
structure of this text to encourage diversity. I felt
is appropriate for self-esteem and that it tied into
beginning readers. to celebrate the individuality
ways in which because to
children are both develop self-
unique and esteem, a person
similar. The has to accept
colorful diversity as well.
illustrations
show children of
various skin
colors engaged
in different
activities. The
story brings up
the concept that
skin should not
divide us or label
us. Regardless of
skin color, we
should all be
unified.
Children Just Non-Fiction Level J This book has I chose this book
Like Me wonderful for individuality
This book has pictures from because it
plenty of pictures children all showcases
from around the around the children from all
world and text that world. Children around the
accompanies each Just Like Me has world, while
picture. There is photographs of respecting who
some vocabulary children from they are. It is
used to describe over 140 important to
each country that countries. Each know that there
students might childs is something
struggle with, which traditional food, special that
put it a little higher eating utensils, makes everyone
on the reading chart. housing, unique, whether
schooling, it be heritage,
friends an culture, or
family, are appearance. I
like that this
 included in the book enables its
book. readers to learn
about other types
of children in
difference
countries. I
believe this will
let students build
respect for
differences and
enable them to
respect
themselves as
well.
Ruby Bridges Biography Level M In 1960, Ruby This book is a
entered a whites- great example of
Since this book has only school in individuality
a history component New Orleans. while
to it, along with Even though she overcoming
unfamiliar had to pass racial
vocabulary words, it through crowds discrimination. It
is a higher read for of angry ties into the
second graders. protesters, Ruby theme because of
bravely walked the emphasis
into the school. placed on Rubys
For months, posture and
Ruby had to deal patience
with the angry throughout the
crows waiting whole ordeal.
for her every She had self-
morning. White esteem and a
parents pulled goal to finish her
their children out education.
of the school,
and Ruby and
her teacher were
alone in the
classroom. Still,
Ruby and her
family would not
give up.
 Bibliography
Arnold, L. (2014). I Am A Person, I Am Me. SBPRA.

Chamberlain, James. (2015). The Name Jar. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EccFeyXhrZM

Choi, Y. (2013). The name jar. Columbus, O.H: Zaner-Bloser.

Diggs, T., & Evans, S. (2015). Chocolate me!.

Diggs, T., & Evans, S. (2015). Mixed me.

Henkes, K., & Streep, M. (2012). Chrysanthemum. Norwalk, Conn.: Weston Woods Studios,

Inc.

Kindersley, B., Kindersley, A., Copsey, S., & UNICEF. (1995). Children just like me. London:

Dorling Kindersley.

Lovell, P., Catrow, D., & Island, D. C. (2002). Stand tall, Molly Lou Mellon. United States:

Spoken Arts.

Mayor, Nenshi., (2014). Mayor Nenshi Reads - The Change Your Name Store. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-DQeEpWwrc

Peets, R. (2013). It's Ok To Be Different. Cork: BookBaby.

Rathmann, P., Krohn, K., Califano, D., & Scholastic Audio. (2010). Ruby the copycat. New

York: Scholastic Audio.

Ribke, S. T. (2015). Ruby Bridges.

Sauer, T., & Magoon, S. (2011). Mostly monsterly. New York: Scholastic, Inc.

Shannon, D. (1998). A bad case of stripes. New York: Blue Sky Press.

Shirtliffe, L., & Kugler, T. (2014). The Change Your Name Store.
Swain-Bates, C., & Bair, M. (2013). Big hair, don't care.

Tyler, M., & Csicsko, D. L. (2016). The skin you live in.