661.Resource, Gordon, The Word Collector: Mentor Text for Social Skills (Grades 3-5)

The theme of Social Skills refers to the prosocial skills that are a prerequisite for developing relationships. The skills include effective communication, sharing, teamwork, empathy, respect, generosity and building relationships.

Jerome is is an unusual child—he collects words, all kinds of words. First he organizes them based on their similarities (short words, multi-syllable words, science words, dreamy words, action words, and more). When Jeremy slips and his collections scatter, he responds by rearranging words to make poems and music. Sharing his words is generous and a way to begin creating relationships. The book is a celebration of language, of how words help us communicate. It ends with a message from the author— Reach for your own words. Tell the world who you are and how you will make it better.

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.