Rules By Cynthia Lord
This Newberry Award winning story is a wonderful narrative about the struggles of a girl with a brother named David who has autism. The main character, Catherine who is also the narrator, tells the story of her brother’s need for “rules” for most of life’s everyday events for most of us. She sometimes states the rules in humor and sometimes in palpable frustration. Catherine loves her brother but sometimes is painfully embarrassed by things he does. One of the more embarrassing rules she has for David is, “A boy takes his shirt off to swim but not his shorts.”
In this story, you can feel acceptance grow in Catherine as she meets a new friend with special needs at one of David’s therapy appointments. Catherine learns much about accepting differences and herself in this heart -warming story.
Even if you are not a special education teacher you are very likely to have special needs students in your class at some time in your teaching career. This book is a good ice-breaker especially if you and your students happen to share a classroom with a student with autism. They can be very delightful to be around if students and teachers understand the things they need to help them be successful. Enjoy this and other books by this author. For more information on this story and others by this author go to http://www.cynthialord.com/rules.htm .
I have been wanting to read this book for a long time! It was recomended by my block one instructors and now after reading your post I am more motivated to find the time to read it. I am also duel licencing in Special Education so I feel that I would really enjoy and benifit from reading this book!
ReplyDeleteCheri,
ReplyDeleteI actually am going to purchase this book for a little girl in my childcare. Her younger brother has autism and though she loves him, sometimes she tells me that she wished he was normal. I think this book may help this young girl to be more accepting of her brother's differences. I also think this would be another book that can be shared with any class to open a discussion about accepting those who are different from ourselves.
Thanks for sharing!
Trish
That is so Awesome Trish. This sounds like it would she a great book for her. I hope both you and she enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteStefanie,
ReplyDeleteIt is an awesome book for we aspiring special education teachers. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Cheri
This book is a really interesting choice. More children are being diagnosed with autism every day. This book could only help teachers and students understand and accept the differences amongst themselves. It will teach them to be more understanding of those differences. Good choice!
ReplyDeleteCarly
That sounds like a very powerful story for use in general educational classrooms with students needing special services. I love when an author writes about feelings a child may be feeling. It is not just the struggles of a child’s disability, but it also affects the family. It seems like it is a great way for a child to relate with and feel better about their own feelings. Teaching acceptance is so important in building a great classroom community. Thanks for sharing this book.
ReplyDelete