693.Resource, Gordon, The Big Umbrella: Mentor Text for Public Spirit (K-2)

Public Spirit is about taking action. It means taking an active interest in the well-being of one’s various communities, including home, school, community, country, and the world. It includes respect for others, courage, ethical responsibility, civic responsibility, social justice, and leadership.

The Big Umbrella is a visual definition of community, of how welcoming and all-encompassing community is. The Big Umbrella is big, friendly, likes to help, and loves to give shelter. It gathers people who differ in many ways--size, shape, skin color. It welcomes tall, hairy, and four-legged creatures, ballet dancers and basketball players. The most amazing thing is that no matter how many gather, the Big Umbrella always has room.

Heart of Georgia RESA teachers may request a free copy of the book to use with their classes by listening to the short VoiceThread about the book, reading a brief handout that includes the ELA standards and suggested strategies for using the mentor text, and completing a request form.