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Same, Same But Different



Last updated Thursday, February 18, 2021

Author: Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
Date of Publication: 2011
ISBN: 0805089462
Grade Level: Kindergarten    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Feb. 2021

Synopsis: Elliot lives in America, and Kailash lives in India. They are pen pals. By exchanging letters and pictures, they learn that they both love to climb trees, have pets, and go to school. Their worlds might look different, but they are actually similar. Same, same. But different!

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What does Same, Same but Different mean?
•  What's an example of something that is the same but different?
•  What do you think the book is about?

Vocabulary


Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Eliot and Kailash love to climb trees. What do you love to do for fun?
•  Where do you think Eliot and Kailash live?
•  If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Craft ideas:
•  They can draw a picture of their neighborhood.
•  They can write a letter to someone who lives in a different part of the world.
•  They can draw on a paper bowl a picture of the world.
•  Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/february-2021-people-places-around-the-world/

Special activities:
•  The children can talk about a place they visited and what it was like to stay there.
•  Discuss this with the teacher ahead of time to make sure this is okay and age-appropriate. This might be better for older kids, like if you have a K-1st or K-2nd combination group. Link for potential pen-pals, resources for connecting kids around the world: https://www.weareteachers.com/virtual-pen-pals/

*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!