If I Were You — Advice to Students from the Students of Ms. McKinney’s and Ms. Whited’s Classes

If I Were You Advice from Students for Students

If I Were You Advice From students for students

Ms. McKinney’s and Ms. Whited’s 4th Grade Classes at Ypsilanti Community Schools

FIRST EDITION 2021 PRINTED AND BOUND AT 826MICHIGAN

826 National’s Commitment to Inclusion As an organization committed to encouraging youth in their creative

expression, personal growth, and academic success, 826 National and

its chapters recognize the importance of diversity at all levels and in all

aspects of our work. In order to build and maintain the safe, supportive 826

environment in which great leaps of learning occur, we commit to inclusion:

We will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender

identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, nationality, marital status,

English fluency, parental status, immigration status, military service, or

disability.

826michigan Staff Dr. Naimah Wade, Executive Director

Judy Tipton, Development Director

Catherine Calabro Cavin, Education Director

Frances Martin, Operations Director Megan Gilson, Program Manager

Ariel Kaplowitz-Hahn, Volunteer Engagement Associate Josi Evingas, Development Associate

Copyright © 2021 by 826michigan and Blotch Books.

All rights reserved by 826michigan, the many whims of Drs. T & G Blotch, and the authors.

The views expressed in this book are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of 826michigan. We believe in the power of youth voice and

are thrilled that you picked up this book. No part of this book may be

reproduced without express written permission from the publisher, except for small excerpts for the purposes of review or scholarly study.

Many thanks to Ypsilanti Community Schools and our volunteers for their participation in this field trip.

By purchasing this book, you are helping 826michigan continue to offer free

student programs. For more information, please visit: 826michigan.org

Table of Contents If I were you . . .

Advice from Ms. Mckinney’s and Ms. Whited’s Classes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

If I were you Group Inklings Group 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Group 2

.................................................................8

Group 3

.................................................................9

Group 4

................................................................

10

If I were you . . .

Write Your Own Inklings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Acknowledgments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Kraken The Code: How to Give Great Advice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 About 826michigan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

vi | Ms. Mckinney and Ms. Whited

Advice from Ms. McKinney’s and Ms. Whited’s Classes

Dear Students, I’m getting really bored being stuck at home during quarantine.

I’ve already played with each of my toys a million times, have read all of my books, and my grandma won’t let me be on the computer for more than 30 minutes each day. What should I do?

Sincerely, Quarantina

DEAR QUARANTINA, First, you can go outside (and always wear your mask!)

Then, you can play a board game with your family that you all agree on. You could play Monopoly, Life, Uno, Sorry, or Candyland.

Next, you can go to your friends house to see if they have something fun like a science kit.

Last, you can do some chores, such as doing the dishes, wiping everything down, dusting, sweeping the floor, or doing laundry.

Sincerely, MS. McKINNEY’S and MS. WHITED’S CLASSES

Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 3

If I Were You Group Inklings

My birthday is coming up, but because of COVID, I can’t have the party I was dreaming of. How can I still celebrate my birthday?

Sincerely, Fiesta Waitsforever

DEAR FIESTA WAITSFOREVER, First, you should put fun decorations or filters up in the background of the video call party.

Then, you can send an invitation link with a password to friends and family who were invited to the video call party!

Next, you can start the video call party and have fun with all of the people on the video call, or start the party in person, with masks, and six feet apart.

Last, you can have people that you care about drive by.

Sincerely, GROUP 1

Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 7

I’ve recently discovered that when I concentrate really hard, and really put my mind to it, I can change any object into a Pop-Tart. What should I do with my new superpower?

Sincerely, Berry Blast

DEAR BERRY BLAST, First, you should learn how to control your superpower. You have to be careful and practice.

Then, you could try to make different flavors of Pop-Tarts. I recommend S’mores, brown sugar, blueberry, and, of course, chocolate!

Next, you can try to see if it can be useful to people. Don’t just use your power for yourself. Breakfast is important so you can make sure everyone has breakfast.

Last, don’t underestimate your power.

Sincerely, GROUP 2

8 | Ms. Mckinney and Ms. Whited

My Internet keeps on going out, and I’m super bored. What can I do?

Sincerely, Edison Interwebs

DEAR EDISON INTERWEBS, First, you could wait for the internet to come back on. This part can be boring!

Then, in the mean time, you could play with your siblings. I like to push my baby brother in a toy cart! You can also play games like freeze-tag. If you don’t have siblings, you could play outside with your friends! You could also go on a walk with your mom to the park!

Next, try using data if the internet doesn’t come back on.

Last, you can make yourself some food until the internet comes back. I like to make myself Lunchables since you don’t need to cook it in the oven. My favorite Lunchable is cheese pizza.

Sincerely, GROUP 3

Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 9

Help! I woke up and realized I am a giant bug! Ah! What do I do?

Sincerely, Mozzie Quito

DEAR MOZZIE QUITO, First, to try to get back to being a human, you can try and find some scientists who could help you! You can also try and find doctors who can help you.

Then, you can retrace your steps to figure out what you did before you turned into a bug. There’s a mystery at your hands!

Next, if you cannot turn back into a human, you should try to go out into the wild and find a new place to live. A lot of bugs live inside or under logs or in the trees. Bugs can hide from bigger animals, like birds, if they are under the log. If you are going to stay as a bug, you want to find somewhere safe.

Last, if you stay as a bug and live in the wild, you should try not to have other things crushing you! A bird might eat you or humans could step on you! Some other things to look out for are snakes, other types of bugs, jaguars, or even logs that could crush you!

Sincerely, GROUP 4

10 | Ms. Mckinney and Ms. Whited

Illustrate your good advice Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 11

12 | Ms. Mckinney and Ms. Whited

Write Your Own Inklings

Author Name: If I Were You: First,

Then,

14 | Ms. Mckinney and Ms. Whited

Next

And then,

Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 15

Finally,

About the Author

16 | Ms. Mckinney and Ms. Whited

Illustrate your good advice Inklings from the most spectacular Squids in Class | 17

Acknowledgments 826michigan Publications Team

Jessica Pace, Designer/Illustrator Annie Else, Publications Intern Robyn Charles, Publications Editor

Fieldtrip Volunteers

Caitlin Koska Annie Klinger Jackson Schwartz Rachel Zacny Mikaela Trowbridge Kennedy Ward Siobhan Stemme

Partner Teachers Ms. McKinney Ms. Whited Ms. Davis

The School Staff and Administration Mr. Anglin, principal Ms. McKenzie, secretary

Anto Ritsema Charlotte Moore Anne Else Lauren Jakosalem Katherine Vannoy Emily Xin-Yi Teh Tiarra Abbott

Kraken the Code: HOW TO GIVE GREAT ADVICE

Wait to be asked IT’S JUST GOOD MANNERS

Tell your story

STORIES HELP US REMEMBER

Get to the point

BE SPECIFIC & KEEP OUR ATTENTION

Break it up BABY STEPS!

Give it some feeling

EMOTIONS HELP US MAKE CONNECTIONS

Inspire to action

CREATIVITY PLUS MOVEMENT EQUALS IMPROVEMENT

Be kind

EVERYONE IS DOING THEIR BEST

inspires school-aged students to write with skill and confidence in collaboration with adult volunteers in their communities.

Our writing and tutoring programs uphold a culture of creativity and imagination and support students in establishing strong habits of mind.

Through publication and community engagement, we provide students with an authentic and enthusiastic audience for their writing.

Our programs provide an energizing creative outlet for students and meaningful volunteer opportunities for community members.

ONLINE LEARNING LAB

For the 2020–21 school year, our programs will remain virtual. When is it safe to return to our in-person programs, we plan to continue to offer virtual program opportunities as well!

SCHOOLWORK SUPPORT

The program formerly-known as tutoring has been given an updated name, but the same great foundations remain. We organize trained volunteer tutors to work with students one-on-one with their homework after school. Schoolwork Support is available for all subjects, for students ages 8-18.

WORKSHOPS

We offer a number of free workshops taught by professional artists, writers, and our talented volunteers. From comic books to screenplays, bookmaking to radio, our wide variety of workshops are perfect for writers of all ages and interests.

One of the most popular workshops we offer is our weekly Wee-bots program for elementary-aged writers.

IN-SCHOOL PROJECTS

Our trained volunteers go into local public schools every day to support teachers with their classroom writing assignments. Based on the teacher’s curriculum, assignments range from writing tales to crafting college essays to exploring poetry.

FIELD TRIPS

Students come as a class to our writing lab to join a group of volunteers, interns, and staff in order to help solve a problem through writing—whether that is our editor Dr. Blotch’s insomnia, our looming story deadline, a mystery in need of solving, or one of the many others we encounter. Our field trips always end in a finished publication of original writing that students take home.

OUR STORES

Our Robot Supply Co. stores are one-stop shops for robots, robot owners, and enthusiasts alike. They are designed to inspire creativity and bring awareness of our programs to the community. Please visit us online at onwardrobots.com.

All proceeds from our stores directly fund our free student programming.

Onward robots!

WRITING IS

A way to figure things out by ourselves

We create a safe place to be ourselves and try new things We support the ways that writers work (like thinking, sketching, talking)

A way to help us connect to our world

We study the writing we want to do so we can try it We learn how to change our writing for genre, audience, and purpose

A way to help us learn who we are and who we will become

We work with a group of writers who help and support each other

A way for us to use our power to make changes and build a better world

www.826michigan.org

826 National was inspired to take a stand on issues of inclusion and diversity in light of the many events that spotlighted social and racial injustices throughout the country. We as educators, volunteers, and caring adults need to be aware of the wide range of issues our students face on a day-to-day basis. We need to support these young people as they navigate through and try to make sense of the world and their own identities.

We need the support and the feedback from our community to ensure 826 is living up to these standards.

Through our inclusion statement, our internal diversity and inclusion group, cultural competency resources provided to staff and volunteers, and partnerships with other organizations, we are always working towards being a more inclusive and supportive organization.

We at 826 have the privilege of working with the next generation of scholars, teachers, doctors, artists, lawyers, and writers. It's our job to make sure they are able to take their own stands.

As an organization committed to encouraging youth in their creative expression, personal growth, and academic success, 826 National and its chapters recognize the importance of diversity at all levels and in all aspects of our work. In order to build and maintain the safe, supportive 826 environment in which great leaps in learning happen, we commit ourselves to inclusion: we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, marital status, English fluency, parental status, military service, or disability.

The 826 National network is committed to encouraging youth to express themselves and to use the written word to effectively do so. We encourage our students to write, take chances, make decisions, and finish what they start.

And 826 strives to do this in an environment free from discrimination and exclusion.

by Gerald Richards, CEO

826michigan inspires school-aged students to write with skill and confidence in collaboration with adult volunteers in their communities.

Find out more at 826michigan.org!