“Remarkably You” by Pat Zietlow Miller is such a beautiful book to share with students. The rhythmic storytelling catches students' attention and gives the message that they are special and unique. The illustrations are festive and fun and will make you and your students smile as the diverse set of characters marches through the pages. The book introduces a variety of new vocabulary words while spreading its inspiring message.
“Remarkably You” not only helps students feel that they are remarkable, unique, or special but tells them that their talents are valuable and even more so when they share them with others. It encourages students to be their best, follow their dreams, and give it their all.
Students can see themselves in the diversity of the characters as well as the range of interests that are portrayed. The beautiful words and pictures are one big hug from you to your students.
Skills to teach with “Remarkably You”:
- Making connections
- Theme
- Main idea
5 Favorite “Remarkably You” Activities
“Remarkably You” is a great book when you are helping students make connections, identify the main idea or the theme but there are also many amazing discussions to have about being yourself, trying new things, pursuing your passions, and embracing your talents while also appreciating other's talents too. It helps students open their minds to trying new things, encourages individuality, promotes their self-love, and all-around just makes students (and you) feel special. It really gives students something to think about and there are so many great activities and conversations you can have together. Here are a few activities that you can do with your students after reading the book:
1. Get to Know You
The story has so many different children with different talents and interests. This is a great time to discuss things that your students love. Students can write words to describe themselves. Just as the book uses descriptive language to describe different personalities, students can describe themselves in a quick “getting to know you” activity.
This is a great activity to do at the beginning of the year but doesn't need to be limited to the beginning of the school year. Students are always eager to share about things that they like and their interests are ever-changing.
2. Go After Your Passions
“Remarkably You” has such inspiring verse, and encouraging students to find passions is one of my favorite discussions to have. Students may not realize the passions that they have or believe in and looking through the pages and seeing the illustrations may bring light to something students feel passionate about.
They can write about something they are passionate about. Students will have a wide range of topics and just as they are in the story, they are all special and relevant to the discussion.
3. Problem Solving Strategies
Another important topic that the book intrigues the reader with is problem-solving. When the author is discussing passions, she says, “Find what needs fixing. Repair what you can.”
Students can think about strategies that they use when they come across a problem in their lives. You can discuss possible problem scenarios: life, home, school; and then discuss how to solve those problems. And students can write down some of their own problem-solving strategies that they can use when they have challenges in their lives that they want to “fix”.
4. Making a Difference
An ever-present theme throughout the book is that you can make a difference, no matter how bIg or small…you matter and can help. By sharing talents, finding passions, fixing problems, and so much more, students will know that in big ways and in small ways, they will make a difference in the world.
Students can write a small way that they can make a difference and a big way they can make a difference. You can brainstorm ideas and use sticky notes on an anchor chart for students that may feel stuck. Sometimes it is hard for students to feel that they can make a difference at a young age, so sharing ideas and discussing can show them that they truly can make a difference.
5. Spreading Sunshine
Believing in themselves, their talents, their unique qualities, and shining bright is what each of your students will come away from the story with. They will feel confident in themselves and ready to spread their positive vibes to all they meet. It is such an empowering message to share with your students; you can read the story with a booming voice knowing that they are listening and understanding the importance that they have in your classroom and beyond.
Students can write about how they can spread sunshine to others, sharing their gifts with the world.
“Remarkably You” is such a beautiful book to share with your students. Your students will feel loved, empowered, motivated, and confident to conquer challenges from your classroom to life outside of your classroom too.
I hope you and your students love it!
You can grab a free one-page guide for using this book in your classroom here:
You can find more of my favorite read-aloud books HERE.
And read more about why I think reading aloud is so important HERE.
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