by Peter H. Reynolds
Grade K-3

Description

From the creator of The New York Times bestseller The Word Collector comes an empowering story about finding your voice, and using it to make the world a better place. The world needs your voice. If you have a brilliant idea…say something! If you see an injustice…say something!

In this empowering new picture book, beloved author Peter H. Reynolds explores the many ways that a single voice can make a difference. Each of us, each and every day, have the chance to say something: with our actions, our words, and our voices. Perfect for kid activists everywhere, this timely story reminds readers of the undeniable importance and power of their voice. There are so many ways to tell the world who you are…what you’re thinking…and what you believe. And how you’ll make it better.

The time is now: SAY SOMETHING!

Discussion questions from SOMN

• Injustice means when things are not fair. Have you seen injustice? How did you feel?
• Name all the ways you can think of that we can use our voices.
• If you see that someone is lonely, what can you do? If you see someone is being hurt, what can you do?

Classroom activities from SOMN

• Have students work in small groups to write a short script for a public service announcement that they would like to share with the world.
  • What is their message for others? What do they feel hopeful about? What would they like to see change in their classroom, in their school, or in the world?
  • After students have written their scripts, support them as they create an audio or video recording to share with the school community or with their families.
  • Help students to work together throughout the process to ensure that all voices are heard. This process introduces critical ways that students can use multimedia to say something to the world.
• Research kids who changed the world. Draw students’ attention to the book dedication to Emma Gonzalez, a youth activist using her voice to raise awareness to an issue she cares about.
  • Research the ways kids have historically used their voices to create change by learning about Kid Blink and the newsies movement, Clara Lemlich and the shirtwaist makers’ strike, Sylvia Mendez and Claudette Colvin and the fight for school desegregation, and marchers like Audrey Faye Hendricks, as well as countless others.
  • Have students work in small groups to learn about a kid who said something to change the world. Have groups present what they found by “saying something” in any way they choose to the class.