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Book #8

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Skel Club™ Teacher Lesson Plan
Book 8: Skel Goes to School

Theme: Bullying Prevention, Courage, Kindness, Friendship, and Speaking Up

This story follows Skel and the Skeleton Crew during the school year when Skelmer becomes the target of bullying by Dirk the Dingo. Through the support of friends, a caring teacher, and Officer Chris, students learn the importance of reporting bullying, helping others, and treating everyone with kindness and respect. 

SEL Focus

CASEL Competencies

✅ Self-Awareness

• Recognizing feelings when someone is hurt or excluded

✅ Self-Management

• Responding appropriately to difficult situations

✅ Social Awareness

• Understanding how bullying affects others

✅ Relationship Skills

• Supporting friends and building healthy relationships

✅ Responsible Decision-Making

• Knowing when and how to get help from trusted adults

Skel Club Code of Behavior Connection
The story reinforces several Skel Club values:

✅ Kindness & Respect
✅ Teamwork & Support
✅ Positivity & Encouragement
✅ Inclusion & Diversity
✅ Fun & Growth

These values help create safe and welcoming schools. 

Learning ObjectivesStudents will:

• Define bullying in age-appropriate terms.
• Understand the difference between conflict and bullying.
• Identify trusted adults who can help.
• Practice empathy and kindness.
• Demonstrate strategies for supporting classmates.
• Develop confidence in speaking up when someone is being mistreated.

Vocabulary Word             Definition
Bullying                              Repeatedly hurting, teasing, or scaring someone
Respect                              Treating others kindly
Courage                             Being brave even when something is difficult
Empathy                            Understanding how another person feels
Friendship                         Caring for and supporting others
Trust                                   Knowing someone is safe and helpful
Inclusion                            Making everyone feel welcome
Apology                              Saying sorry and trying to make things right

Before Reading Discussion
Ask students:

1. What makes a good friend?
2. How do you feel when someone is kind to you?
3. What should you do if someone is being mean?
4. Who are the trusted adults in your life?
5. What does respect mean?

During Reading Discussion
When reading the story, pause and discuss key moments.
School and Learning
Skel and his friends return to school excited to learn. 

Questions:

• What do you like about school?
• What helps students feel welcome?

Bullying Begins
Dirk takes Skelmer's glasses and calls him names. 

Questions:

• Was Dirk showing respect?
• How might Skelmer be feeling?

Friendship and Support
Skel notices something is wrong and wants to help his friend. Skel even brings Skelmer a new pair of glasses. 

Questions:

• How was Skel being a good friend?
• What can you do when a friend needs help?

Learning About Bullying
Officer Chris visits the classroom and teaches students about bullying. 

Questions:

• What is bullying?
• Why is it important to tell an adult?

Speaking Up
Officer Chris explains that students should tell a trusted adult if someone is being bullied. 

Questions:

• Who can help if someone is being bullied?
• Why is telling an adult important?

After Reading DiscussionComprehension Questions

1. Why was Skelmer upset?
2. What did Dirk do that was hurtful?
3. How did Skel help his friend?
4. What did Officer Chris teach the class?
5. What happened after Mrs. Michelle learned about the bullying?
6. How did Dirk change at the end of the story?

Dirk eventually apologized and explained that difficulties at home contributed to his behavior. He recognized that bullying was wrong and became friends with Skelmer. 

Critical Thinking

1. Does being upset give someone permission to bully others?
2. Why do some people keep bullying others?
3. How can students help stop bullying?
4. What makes a classroom feel safe?
5. What would you have done if you saw Dirk bothering Skelmer?

Classroom
​ Activity #1
Trusted Adult Handprint
Students trace their hand.
On each finger write the name of a trusted adult:

• Parent
• Grandparent
• Teacher
• Counselor
• Principal
• Coach
• School Resource Officer

Discuss who students could talk to when they need help.

Classroom
Activity #2
Kindness ChainEach student writes one kind act on a paper strip.
Examples:

• Help someone
• Share supplies
• Invite someone to play
• Use kind words

Connect strips to create a class kindness chain.

Classroom
Activity #3
Bullying or Conflict?
Teacher reads age-appropriate scenarios.
Students decide:
✅ Conflict
✅ Bullying
Discuss the difference between occasional disagreements and repeated harmful behavior.

Writing Activity

Grades K-2
Complete the sentence:
"I can be a good friend by ____________."

Grades 3-4
Write a paragraph:
"If I saw someone being bullied, I would..."

Art Activity
Create a Friendship Poster
Students design a poster showing:

• Respect
• Kindness
• Inclusion
• Friendship
• Helping Others

Display posters throughout the classroom.

Role-Play Activity
Students practice:

Scenario 1
A classmate is sitting alone.

Scenario 2
Someone is being teased.

Scenario 3
A friend feels sad.

Students discuss how they can respond respectfully and safely.

Family Connection
Ask students to talk with a family member about:

1. What kindness means.
2. How they handled difficult situations as children.
3. Who helped them feel safe at school.
4. Why respecting others is important.

Students can share what they learned with the class.

Character Education Connection

Respect         
Treat others the way you want to be treated.

Courage
Speaking up when something is wrong takes bravery.

Compassion
Understanding that people may sometimes be struggling while still holding them accountable for their actions.

Responsibility
​Finding a trusted adult when help is needed.

Teacher Reflection
Essential Question
How can we help make school a safe and welcoming place for everyone?

Big Idea
Bullying hurts others, but kindness, courage, friendship, and trusted adults can make a difference.
Skel's Educational Leadership (SEL)
​
Students learn that true leaders:

• Stand up for others
• Show kindness and respect
• Ask for help when needed
• Include everyone
• Help create safe communities

The story demonstrates that problems can be solved through communication, support, accountability, and compassion, while reinforcing the Skel Club mission of teaching positive life lessons that children can carry throughout their lives.
​

​
​🧑‍🏫 Book 7 - Lesson Plan: Teaching
Book # 7 - Skel Swings for the Fences

📘 Lesson Title:
“Teamwork, Inclusion, and Good Sportsmanship”

⏱ Duration:
1–2 class periods (45 minutes each)

🎯 Learning Objectives
Students will:

• Understand the importance of teamwork in sports and everyday life.
• Identify how inclusion allows everyone to participate and contribute.
• Learn basic baseball concepts and vocabulary.
• Recognize the importance of fairness, perseverance, and sportsmanship.
• Practice cooperation, encouragement, and respect for others.

📖 Materials

• Skel Swings for the Fences
• Chart paper or whiteboard
• Baseball field diagram
• Baseball vocabulary cards
• Coloring materials
• Printable worksheet/activity page
• Optional soft foam ball and bat

🪜 Lesson Structure🔹 1. Warm-Up (10 min)
​Discussion Questions:

• Have you ever played a team sport?
• What makes a good teammate?
• Is winning the most important part of playing?
• How do you include everyone when playing a game?

👉 Create a class word web:
TEAMWORK = ?
Possible responses:

• Sharing
• Helping
• Encouraging
• Listening
• Taking turns
• Respect

🔹 2. Read-Aloud (15–20 min)
Read Skel Swings for the Fences aloud.
As you read, pause to discuss key moments:

• Why did Skel invite everyone to play?
• Why was it important that everyone had a position?
• How did the Skeleton Crew work together?
• What happened after the game ended?

Use illustrations such as the full team gathering at the field. 
And the team celebrating together. 

🔹 3. Guided Discussion (10–15 min)

1. Inclusion
"We need more than the Skeleton Crew for this sport. I have invited everyone, whether tall or short." 
👉 Ask:

• Why did Skel invite everyone?
• How can we make others feel welcome?

2. Teamwork
Every character played a role on the team. Players covered different positions and helped one another succeed. 
👉 Ask:

• Why does every player matter?
• What happens if teammates don't work together?

3. Perseverance
The game lasted many innings, and both teams kept trying their best. [Skel Book...proof (1) | PDF]
👉 Ask:

• What should we do when something is challenging?
• How do we stay positive?

4. Sportsmanship
Even though one team lost, everyone shook hands and said, “Good game.” 
👉 Ask:

• Why is being kind after a game important?
• How can we show respect whether we win or lose?

🔹 4. Activity Options (Choose 1–2)
⚾ Activity A: Build a Baseball Team
Students draw a baseball field and place players at different positions.
Discuss:

• Pitcher
• Catcher
• First Base
• Second Base
• Shortstop
• Third Base
• Outfield

Use the baseball field diagram from the book. 

🎨 Activity B: Design Your Team Jersey
Students create their own baseball team logo and jersey.
Include:

• Team name
• Team colors
• Team motto

Examples:

• Respect
• Teamwork
• Never Give Up
• Include Everyone

📝 Activity C: Good Sportsmanship Poster
Students create posters showing:

• Helping teammates
• Encouraging others
• Shaking hands
• Being kind after games

🎭 Activity D: Act It Out
Small groups reenact scenes:

• Skel inviting everyone to play
• Assigning positions
• Hitting a home run
• Shaking hands after the game

Home run scene: 

🔹 5. Reflection (5–10 min)
Exit TicketComplete one sentence:

• "A good teammate is someone who..."
• "I can include others by..."
• "The most important lesson from the story was..."
• "Good sportsmanship means..."

🧠 Vocabulary Words

• Teamwork
• Sportsmanship
• Inclusion
• Position
• Pitcher
• Catcher
• Double Play
• Home Run
• Umpire
• Tradition

📚 Cross-Curricular Connections
Language Arts

Write:
"My Favorite Team Sport and Why I Like It."

Math
Count:

• Number of players on a baseball team
• Bases on the field
• Runs scored during the game

Health & Physical EducationPractice:

• Throwing
• Catching
• Team-building exercises

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)Focus on:

• Cooperation
• Responsibility
• Respect
• Relationship skills

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Connection
Ask students to interview a family member:

• What was their favorite sport growing up?
• What lessons did they learn from playing on a team?
• How did they show good sportsmanship?

Students can share responses with the class.

✅ Assessment
Students can demonstrate learning by:

• Participating in discussion
• Completing a team-building activity
• Finishing a reflection statement
• Creating a sportsmanship poster
• Identifying ways to include others

⭐ Key Lesson from Book 7
​
Everyone has a place on the team. Success comes from teamwork, inclusion, effort, and treating others with respect. Winning is fun, but friendship and good sportsmanship are even more important. Based on the story's themes of teamwork, participation, and ending the game with mutual respect and celebration. 

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