Volunteers needed in May!   Click here to sign up.
 Site Areas: 
  HOME  
  ABOUT US  
  FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS  
  HOW TO HELP  
  NEWS  
  READING CLUBS  
Printer-friendly version   

Exclamation Mark



Last updated Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Author: Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Date of Publication: 2013
ISBN: 0545436796
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Sep. 2020

Synopsis: A perfect gift for graduation! He stood out here. He stood out there. He tried everything to be more like them. It's not easy being seen. Especially when you're NOT like everyone else. Especially when what sets you apart is YOU. Sometimes we squish ourselves to fit in. We shrink. Twist. Bend. Until a friend shows the way to endless possibilities. In this bold and highly visual book, an emphatic but misplaced exclamation point learns that being different can be very exciting! Period.

Note to readers:
•  Please be advised that this is a very short book. However, you can make the book fun and engaging by changing your voice during the book as the Exclamation Mark shouts out words throughout the book.
•  Suggestion: You can even allow the students to shout out the words together in unison during the Exclamation Mark shouts

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Have you ever felt alone or that you don't belong?
•  If you met someone new at your school, how would you introduce yourself?
•  What do you like to do? Why do you enjoy it?
•  What is something new that you've learned about yourself?

Vocabulary

•  Flummoxed - to be confused, puzzled or perplexed
•  Deflated - feeling empty or lost of confidence
•  Echo- a series of sounds or a duplicate
•  Gravity - attractive force or pull
•  Endless - unlimited, infinite or to be limitless
•  Encore - give or call for a repeated additional performance
•  Exclaim - to declare, call out or shout

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  In the beginning of the book, the exclamation mark was sad. Why was the exclamation feeling sad and confused?
•  Who did the Exclamation mark meet during the story?
•  How did the Question Mark help the Exclamation mark find it's inner uniqueness?
•  What did the Exclamation mark learn?

Craft ideas:
•  Draw your own Exclamation Mark and shout out something you love. Ex. "I Love Pizza!"
•  Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/september-2020-back-to-school-fun/

Special activities:
•  Everyone is unique and different in their own way, share something about yourself that you feel makes you different from others? Note: Allow the students to share their uniqueness among friends during the reading club session.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!