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1

____________________________________________________

ADiscussionandActivityGuideFor

Teachers,Librarians,andParents

ExtraordinaryDogsStoriesFromSearchandRescueDogs,ComfortDogs,

andOtherCanineHeroes

PhotographsByLizStavrinides

EssaysByJohnSchlimm

St.Martin’sPress

____________________________________________________

2

TableofContents

Introduction:UsingExtraordinaryDogsintheClassroom,Library,oratHome 3

KindergartentoSecondGrade:Lessons 5

ThirdtoFifthGrade:Lessons 10

SixthtoEighthGrade:Lessons 15

NinthtoTwelfthGrade:Lessons 20

College:Lessons 25

BookClubDiscussionQuestions 30

TheOrganizationsinExtraordinaryDogs 32

AbouttheAuthor 33

AboutthePhotographer 33

3

Introduction:

UsingExtraordinaryDogs

intheClassroom,Library,oratHome

ExtraordinaryDogsportraysmorethan50workingdogs,alongwiththepoliceofficers,

firefighters,veterans,andothertrainedvolunteerhandlerswhoserveside-by-sidewith

them.Theirmovingstoriesandbeautifulphotographsareanunprecedentedglimpseat

ComfortDogsandSearchandRescueDogs,alongwithbomb-detectingTSAdogsand

canineambassadorsfromacrosstheUnitedStates.

Readindividuallyorcollectively,amongthe40essaysinExtraordinaryDogsthereare

severalnaturallaunchingpointsfordiscussionsandactivitiesintheclassroom,library,and

athomewithchildrenandyoungadults—kindergartentocollegelevel—aboutthe

numerousquestionsandtopicsweallconfrontinourliveseveryday.Frompersonaland

headliningnationaltragedies,trauma,andhealingtolove,hope,courage,compassion,

service,advocacy,faith,connection,mentalwellness,leadership,andheroism,the

followingsuggesteddiscussionsandactivitieswillallowyou—asateacher,librarian,or

parent—toactivelyengageandinspirechildrenandyoungadultsacrossmultipleacademic

subjectsandcurriculumswiththestoriessharedthroughoutthebook.

4

Thefollowinglessonsaredividedbygradelevelsandfocusonseveraltimelytopics:

heroismandleadership;feelings,emotions,andmentalwellness;helpingothersby

answeringcallstoaction;exploringhowinspiringandmotivationalconceptslike

compassion,hope,andadvocacyapplytooureverydaylives;andworkingtogetherasa

team.Thesediscussionsandactivities,andExtraordinaryDogsitself,aremeanttobe

resourcesthatyoucantweakandtailortoyourspecificgradelevel,subject,andcurriculum

asneeded.

Asaneducator,itisalwaysmygoaltodoeverythingIcantohelpyoungpeoplefindand

usetheirvoicesandrecognizetheirnaturaltalents,whilealsosupportingthetireless

effortsofteachers,librarians,andparentseverywherewhoareliterallyshapingthefuture

eachday.Andforthisparticularjourney,wegettohavefiftyofthebestfurry,four-legged

teacherstoassistus!

~JohnSchlimm

TorequestaSkypeorin-personvisitbyJohnSchlimm

toyourclass,school,orlibrary,pleasecontact:

SteveTroha

FolioLiteraryManagement

steve@foliolit.com

FormoreinformationaboutJohn,

pleasevisit:www.JohnSchlimm.com

5

Kindergarten to Second Grade

Foreachdiscussionoractivitybelow,readoneormoreoftheessaysofyourchoicefrom

ExtraordinaryDogstothestudents.

Lesson1:

Whatisahero?Whatisaleader?ThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsareheroesandleadersinmanyways.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoesthewordheromean?

2.Canyounamesomeheroes?

3.Whatisaleader?

4.Howisaheroalsoaleader?

5InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogseachaheroandaleader?

6.Inwhatwayscanyoubeahero?

7.Inwhatwayscanyoubealeader?

Activities:

1.Havethestudentsusetheirimaginationandcreativitytodescribeordrawapictureof

whattheythinkasuperherodoglookslike.

2.Invitealocalfirstresponderandtheirdogtovisityourclassroom.

6

Lesson2:

HappyDogs,HappyPeopleThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelpbringhappinessandhealingtopeople.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoesitmeantobehappyorsad?

2.Canyounamesomeotherfeelingsoremotions?

3.Whatdoesthewordhealmean?

4.InwhatwaysdidthedogsinExtraordinaryDogshelppeopletobehappyorheal?

5.Doyouhaveadogorotherpet?Ifso,howdotheymakeyoufeel?

6.Howcanyouhelptomakepeoplehappytoday?

Activities:

1.Havestudentsdrawapictureofthemselveswithadog,showinghowthedogmakes

themfeel.

2.Havethestudentsresearchonline(includingontheorganizations’websitesonPage32)

orinprintresourcesforpicturesofdogswhoappeartoexpressvariousfeelingsand

emotions,andthendiscussthosepicturesandrespectivefeelingsandemotionsinclass.Or,

showthestudentsthephotographsinExtraordinaryDogsandaskthemtoexpresshowthe

photographsmakethemfeel.

7

Lesson3:

HelpingOthersThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelppeopleinmanydifferentways.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoesitmeantohelpothers?

2.InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelpingpeople?

3.Inwhatwayshaveyouhelpedotherpeopleinyourlife?

4.Whatissomethingyoucandotodaytohelpotherpeople?

Activities:

1.Havethestudentseachdrawapictureofadogwhoishelpingsomeone.

2.Havethestudentsresearchonline(includingontheorganizations’websitesonPage32)

orinprintresourcesforpicturesofdogshelpingpeople,andthenpresentthephotostothe

class.

8

Lesson4:

WordstoBarkAboutVocabularywordsfordiscussion:

Love

Hope

Joy

Compassion

Courage

Hero

Help

Heal

Service

Faith

Community

Team

Volunteer

Extraordinary

Leadership

Advocacy

Calltoaction

Activities:

1.HaveeachstudentchooseoneofthedogsorhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsandcreatea

cardforthem.ThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogscaneachbereachedusingthe

addressesreferencedonPage32.Or,createcardsforthedogsatyourlocalanimalshelter,

orlocalservicedogs,policedogs,searchandrescuedogs,oranotherspecialdog.

2.Havethestudentseachchooseoneofthesevocabularywordsandcreateacollageor

othermulti-mediapiecedepictingwhatthewordmeanstothem.

9

Lesson5:

TeamPlayersThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsarepartofmanyteamswhoworktogether.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoesitmeantobepartofateam?

2.Howmanydifferentexamplesofteamscanyouname?

3.Whatteams,orgroups,areyouapartof?

4.InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogspartofateamorteams?

5.Whatdidyoulearnfromthedogsandhandlersaboutbeingateamplayer?

6.Whattalentsorattributesdoyouhavetocontributetoateam?

7.Whyisitimportanttoworktogetherwithotherpeople?

Activities:

1.Asaclass,createalistofallthewayspeopleworktogetherorcanworktogether.Then

haveeachstudenteitherchooseoneexampleanddrawapicturedepictingit,orhaveeach

studentdrawapictureofwhattheythinkateamlookslike.

2.Asaclass,createaParticipatoryArtpiece.Onalargesheetofpaperorcanvas,haveeach

studentdrawsomething.Bytheend,allofthestudents’contributionswillcreateonefinal

artpiecethatisuniqueandcouldonlyhavebeencreatedbythemasateam.Oncefinished,

asaclass,discusstheartpiecewiththestudents.

Or,useaspecifictheme,suchasaflowergarden,agalaxyofstars,oratown.Giveeach

studentapieceofpaperandaskthemtodrawaspecificobject,suchasaflower,astar,ora

house/building/street.Thenhavethestudentspasstheirpaperstootherstudentswhowill

drawanotherflower,star,orhouse/building/street,dependingonwhichthemeyouare

using.Dothisuntileverystudenthasdrawn(andcoloredin)somethingoneverypieceof

paper,creatinguniqueflowergardens,galaxiesofstars,ortowns.

10

ThirdtoFifthGrade

Foreachdiscussionoractivitybelow,readoneormoreoftheessaysofyourchoicefrom

ExtraordinaryDogstothestudents.

Lesson1:

Whatisahero?Whatisaleader?ThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsareheroesandleadersinmanyways.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoesthewordheromean?

2.Canyounamesomeheroes?

3.Whatisaleader?

4.Howisaheroalsoaleader?

5InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogseachaheroandaleader?

6.Inwhatwayscanyoubeahero?

7.Inwhatwayscanyoubealeader?

Activities:

1.Havethestudentsusetheirimaginationandcreativitytodescribeordrawapictureof

whattheythinkasuperherodoglookslike.

2.Invitealocalfirstresponderandtheirdogtovisityourclassroom.

11

Lesson2:

HappyDogs,HappyPeopleThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelpbringhappinessandhealingtopeople.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoesitmeantobehappyorsad?

2.Canyounamesomeotherfeelingsoremotions?

3.Whatdoesthewordhealmean?

4.InwhatwaysdidthedogsinExtraordinaryDogshelppeopletobehappyorheal?

5.Doyouhaveadogorotherpet?Ifso,howdotheymakeyoufeel?

6.Howcanyouhelptomakepeoplehappytoday?

Activities:

1.Havethestudentseachdrawapictureofthemselveswithadog,showinghowthedog

makesthemfeel.

2.Havethestudentsresearchonline(includingontheorganizations’websitesonPage32)

orinprintresourcesforpicturesofdogswhoappeartoexpressvariousfeelingsand

emotions,andthendiscussthosepicturesandrespectivefeelingsandemotionsinclass.Or,

showthestudentsthephotographsinExtraordinaryDogsandaskthemtoexpresshowthe

photographsmakethemfeel.

12

Lesson3:

HelpingOthersThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelppeopleinmanydifferentways.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoesitmeantohelpothers?

2.InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelpingpeople?

3.Inwhatwayshaveyouhelpedotherpeopleinyourlife?

4.Whatissomethingyoucandotodaytohelpotherpeople?

Activities:

1.Havethestudentseachdrawapictureofadogwhoishelpingsomeone.

2.Havethestudentsresearchonline(includingontheorganizations’websitesonPage32)

orinprintresourcesforpicturesofdogshelpingpeople,andthenpresentthephotostothe

class.

13

Lesson4:

WordstoBarkAboutVocabularywordsfordiscussion:

Love

Hope

Joy

Compassion

Courage

Hero

Help

Heal

Service

Faith

Community

Team

Volunteer

Extraordinary

Leadership

Advocacy

Calltoaction

Activities:

1.HaveeachstudentchooseoneofthedogsorhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsandeither

writealettertothemorcreateacardforthem,usingsomeofthevocabularywordsinthis

section.ThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogscaneachbereachedusingthe

addressesreferencedonPage32.Or,createcardsforthedogsatyourlocalanimalshelter,

orlocalservicedogs,policedogs,searchandrescuedogs,oranotherspecialdog.

2.Havethestudentseachchooseoneofthesevocabularywordsandcreateacollageor

othermulti-mediapiecedepictingwhatthewordmeanstothem.

14

Lesson5:

TeamPlayersThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsarepartofmanyteamswhoworktogether.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoesitmeantobepartofateam?

2.Howmanydifferentexamplesofteamscanyouname?

3.Whatteams,orgroups,areyouapartof?

4.InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogspartofateamorteams?

5.Whatdidyoulearnfromthedogsandhandlersaboutbeingateamplayer?

6.Whattalentsorattributesdoyouhavetocontributetoateam?

7.Whyisitimportanttoworktogetherwithotherpeople?

Activities:

1.Asaclass,createalistofallthewayspeopleworktogetherorcanworktogether.Then

haveeachstudentchooseoneexampleanddrawapicturedepictingit.

2.Asaclass,createaParticipatoryArtpiece.Onalargesheetofpaperorcanvas,haveeach

studentdrawsomething.Bytheend,allofthestudents’contributionswillcreateonefinal

artpiecethatisuniqueandcouldonlyhavebeencreatedbythemasateam.Oncefinished,

asaclass,discusstheartpiecewiththestudents.

Or,useaspecifictheme,suchasaflowergarden,agalaxyofstars,oratown.Giveeach

studentapieceofpaperandaskthemtodrawaspecificobject,suchasaflower,astar,ora

house/building/street.Thenhavethestudentspasstheirpaperstootherstudentswhowill

drawanotherflower,star,orhouse/building/street,dependingonwhichthemeyouare

using.Dothisuntileverystudenthasdrawn(andcoloredin)somethingoneverypieceof

paper,creatinguniqueflowergardens,galaxiesofstars,ortowns.

15

SixthtoEighthGrade

Foreachdiscussionoractivitybelow,eitherreadoneormoreoftheessaysofyourchoice

fromExtraordinaryDogstothestudentsorhavethestudentsreadanessay(s).

Lesson1:

Whatisahero?Whatisaleader?ThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsareheroesandleadersinmanyways.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoesthewordheromean?

2.Canyounamesomeheroes—bothfamousheroesandmorelocalheroes?

3.Whatisaleader?

4.Howisaheroalsoaleader?

5InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogseachaheroandaleader?

6.Inwhatwayscanyoubeahero—inschool,athome,inyourcommunity,inthecountry,

andintheworld?

7.Inwhatwayscanyoubealeader—inschool,athome,inyourcommunity,inthe

country,andintheworld?

Activities:

1.Usingprintandonlineresources,havethestudentscreateacollageofimagesandwords

thatdepictheroesandheroism,andleadersandleadership.

2.Invitealocalfirstresponderandtheirdogtovisityourclassroom.

16

Lesson2:

HappyDogs,HappyPeopleThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelpbringhappinessandhealingtopeople.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoesitmeantobehappyorsad?

2.Whataresomeotherfeelingsoremotionsthatyoungpeopleyouragehave,andwhy?

3.Whatarethemanymeaningsforthewordheal?

4.InwhatwaysdidthedogsinExtraordinaryDogshelppeople,andhowdidthatmake

thosepeoplefeel?

5.Doyouhaveadogorotherpet?Ifso,howdotheymakeyoufeel?

6.Howcanyouhelptomakepeoplehappytoday?

Activities:

1.Drawapictureofyourselfwithadog,andshowhowthedogmakesyoufeel,orwritea

paragraphsharingastoryabouthowadogorotheranimalhasmadeyoufeelbetter.

2.Haveeachstudentidentifythreetofivedifferentfeelingsoremotions,andthendrawor

otherwisecreatedogemojistodepictthosefeelingsoremotions.Or,showthestudentsthe

photographsinExtraordinaryDogsandaskthemtoexpresshowthephotographsmake

themfeel.

17

Lesson3:

CalltoActionThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelppeopleinmanydifferentways.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoescalltoactionmean?

2.HowarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsansweringacalltoaction?

3.Inwhatwayshaveyouansweredacalltoactionorhelpedotherpeopleinyourlife?

4.Whatissomethingyoucandotodaytohelpotherpeople?

Activities:

1.Ingroupsorindividually,havethestudentschooseoneoftheorganizationsfrom

ExtraordinaryDogs,whicharelistedalongwithwebsitesonPage32,toresearch.Usingthe

websites,essaysfromthebook,andanyotherresources,havethestudentsresearchthe

organizationsandthenpresenttheirfindingstotheclassinaformatofyourchoosing.

2.Havethestudentsresearchonline(includingontheorganizations’websitesonPage32)

orinprintresourcesforstoriesaboutdogshelpingpeople,andthenpresenttheirfindings

totheclass.

18

Lesson4:

WordstoBarkAboutVocabularywordsfordiscussion:

Love

Hope

Joy

Compassion

Courage

Hero

Help

Heal

Service

Faith

Community

Team

Volunteer

Extraordinary

Leadership

Advocacy

Calltoaction

Activities:

1.HavestudentseachchooseoneofthedogsorhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsandwrite

alettertothemusingsomeofthevocabularywordsinthissection.Thedogsandhandlers

inExtraordinaryDogscaneachbereachedusingtheaddressesreferencedonPage32.Or,

havethestudentseachwritealettertothedogsatalocalanimalshelter,orlocalservice

dogs,policedogs,searchandrescuedogs,oranotherspecialdog.

2.Havethestudentseachchooseoneofthesevocabularywordsandeitherwritea

personalreflectionorcreateacollagethatexpresseswhatthewordmeanstothem.

19

Lesson5:

TeamPlayersThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsarepartofmanyteamswhoworktogether.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoesitmeantobepartofateam?

2.Howmanydifferentexamplesofteamscanyouname?

3.Whatteams,orgroups,areyouapartof?

4.InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogspartofateamorteams?

5.Whatdidyoulearnfromthedogsandhandlersaboutbeingateamplayer?

6.Whattalentsorattributesdoyouhavetocontributetoateam?

7.Whyisitimportanttoworktogetherwithotherpeople?

Activities:

1.Dividetheclassintogroupsoffivetosevenstudents.Havethegroupsdiscussthe

followingquestions,andthenpresenttheircollectivefindingstotheclassasagroup.

Whatdoyoulikeanddislikeaboutworkinginateam?

Whatdoesitmeantocompromise?

Whyiscompromiseimportantwhenyouarepartofateam?

Howshouldateamleaderbechosen?

Howshouldyourroleinateambedefined?

Howhaveteamshadapositiveeffectatschool,inthecommunity,andinthecountry?

2.Asaclass,createaParticipatoryArtpiece.Onalargesheetofpaperorcanvas,haveeach

studentdrawsomething.Bytheend,allofthestudents’contributionswillcreateonefinal

artpiecethatisuniqueandcouldonlyhavebeencreatedbythemasateam.Oncefinished,

asaclass,discusstheartpiecewiththestudents.

20

NinthtoTwelfthGrade

Foreachdiscussionoractivitybelow,eitherreadoneormoreoftheessaysofyourchoice

fromExtraordinaryDogstothestudentsorhavethestudentsreadanessay(s).

Lesson1:

Whatisahero?Whatisaleader?ThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsareheroesandleadersinmanyways.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoesthewordheromean?

2.Canyounamesomeheroes—bothfamousheroesandmorelocalheroes?

3.Whatisaleader?

4.Howisaheroalsoaleader?

5InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogseachaheroandaleader?

6.Inwhatwayscanyoubeahero—inschool,athome,inyourcommunity,inthecountry,

andintheworld?

7.Inwhatwayscanyoubealeader—inschool,athome,inyourcommunity,inthe

country,andintheworld?

Activities:

1.Haveeachstudentidentifyaheroand/oraleaderinyourschoolorcommunity.Ineither

abriefessayoramulti-mediawork,havethestudentsexplainordepictwhythose

individualsareheroes/leaderstothem.

2.Invitealocalfirstresponderandtheirdogtovisityourclassroom.

21

Lesson2:

HappyDogs,HappyPeopleThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelpbringhappinessandhealingtopeople.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoesitmeantobehappyorsad?

2.Whataresomeotherfeelingsoremotionsthatyoungpeopleyouragehave,andwhy?

3.Whatarethemanymeaningsforthewordheal?

4.InwhatwaysdidthedogsinExtraordinaryDogshelppeople,andhowdidthatmake

thosepeoplefeel?

5.Doyouhaveadogorotherpet?Ifso,howdotheymakeyoufeel?

6.Howcanyouhelptomakepeoplehappytoday?

Activities:

1.Haveeachstudentidentifyadogintheirlifeoronetheyfindthroughresearch.Ineither

abriefessayoramulti-mediawork(suchasameme,video,PowerPoint,drawing,

sculpture,collage,orperformancepiecetheycreate),havethestudentsexplainordepict

whythosedogsmakethemlaughorhappy,orgenerallyfeelgood.

2.Haveeachstudentidentifythreetofivedifferentfeelingsoremotions,andthendrawor

otherwisecreatedogemojisormemestodepictthosefeelingsoremotions.Or,askeach

studenttotakeselfiesofthemselvesactingoutthosevariousemotions.Thenasaclass,

discusstheimages.

22

Lesson3:

CalltoActionThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelppeopleinmanydifferentways.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoescalltoactionmean?

2.HowarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsansweringacalltoaction?

3.Inwhatwayshaveyouansweredacalltoactioninyourlife?

4.Whatcausesareyoupassionateabout,andhowcanyouimpactthosecausesrightnow?

Activities:

1.Ingroupsorindividually,havethestudentschooseoneoftheorganizationsfrom

ExtraordinaryDogs,whicharelistedalongwithwebsitesonPage32,toresearch.Usingthe

websites,essaysfromthebook,andanyotherresources,havethestudentsresearchthe

organizationsandthenpresenttheirfindingstotheclassinaformatofyourchoosing.

2.Askeachstudenttocommittoexploringaserviceactivityatschoolorinthecommunity.

Brainstormalistofthepossibleactivitiestheycanmaybedo.Oncethestudentfulfillsthe

call-to-actionserviceactivity,havethemeitherwriteabriefessayordeliverabrief

presentationabouttheexperience.

23

Lesson4:

WordstoBarkAboutVocabularywordsfordiscussion:

Love

Hope

Joy

Compassion

Courage

Hero

Help

Heal

Service

Faith

Community

Team

Volunteer

Extraordinary

Leadership

Advocacy

Calltoaction

Activities:

1.HavestudentseachchooseoneofthedogsorhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsandwrite

alettertothemusingsomeofthevocabularywordsinthissection.Thedogsandhandlers

inExtraordinaryDogscaneachbereachedusingtheaddressesreferencedonPage32.Or,

havethestudentseachwritealettertothedogsatalocalanimalshelter,orlocalservice

dogs,policedogs,searchandrescuedogs,oranotherspecialdog.

2.Havethestudentseachchooseoneofthesevocabularywordsandeitherwritea

personalreflectionorcreateacollagethatexpresseswhatthewordmeanstothem.

24

Lesson5:

TeamPlayersThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsarepartofmanyteamswhoworktogether.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoesitmeantobepartofateam?

2.Howmanydifferentexamplesofteamscanyouname?

3.Whatteams,orgroups,areyouapartof?

4.InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogspartofateamorteams?

5.Whatdidyoulearnfromthedogsandhandlersaboutbeingateamplayer?

6.Whattalentsorattributesdoyouhavetocontributetoateam?

7.Whyisitimportanttoworktogetherwithotherpeople?

Activities:

1.Dividetheclassintogroupsoffivetosevenstudents.Havethegroupsdiscussthe

followingquestions,andthenpresenttheircollectivefindingstotheclassasagroup.

Whatdoyoulikeanddislikeaboutworkinginateam?

Whatdoesitmeantocompromise?

Whyiscompromiseimportantwhenyouarepartofateam?

Howshouldateamleaderbechosen?

Howshouldyourroleinateambedefined?

Howhaveteamshadapositiveeffectatschool,inthecommunity,andinthecountry?

2.Dividetheclassintogroupsoffivetosevenstudents.Havethestudentspretendtheyare

realityshowproducers.Theirgoalistodeveloparealityshowthatwouldbefilmedatthe

schoolandwouldbeaboutpeopleanddogsdoingpositivethingsforthecommunity.Have

eachgroupthenpresenttheirrealityshowconcepttotheclass.

25

College

Foreachdiscussionoractivitybelow,eitherreadoneormoreoftheessaysofyourchoice

fromExtraordinaryDogstothestudentsorhavethestudentsreadanessay(s).

Lesson1:

Whatisahero?Whatisaleader?ThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsareheroesandleadersinmanyways.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Intoday’sworld,whatdoesthewordheromeantoyou?

2.Canyounamesomeheroes—bothfamousheroesandmorelocalheroes?

3.Whatisaleader?

4.Howisaheroalsoaleader?

5InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogseachaheroandaleader?

6.Inwhatwayscanyoubeahero—oncampus,athome,inyourcommunity,inthe

country,andintheworld?

7.Inwhatwayscanyoubealeader—oncampus,athome,inyourcommunity,inthe

country,andintheworld?

Activities:

1.Haveeachstudentidentifyaheroand/oraleaderintheirlives—famousormore

personal.Ineitherabriefessayoramulti-mediawork,havethestudentsexplainordepict

whythoseindividualsareheroes/leaderstothem.

2.Invitealocalfirstresponderandtheirdogtovisityourclassroom.

26

Lesson2:

HappyDogs,HappyPeopleThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelpbringhappinessandhealingtopeople.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoesitmeantoyoutobehappyorsad?

2.Whataresomeotherfeelingsoremotionsthatyoungpeopleyouragehave,andwhy?

3.Whatarethemanymeaningsforthewordheal?

4.InwhatwaysdidthedogsinExtraordinaryDogshelppeople,andhowdidthatmake

thosepeoplefeel?

5.Doyouhaveadogorotherpet?Ifso,howdotheymakeyoufeel?

6.Howcanyouhelptomakepeoplehappytoday?

Activities:

1.Haveeachstudentidentifyadogintheirlifeoronetheyfindthroughresearch.Ineither

abriefessay,poem,oramulti-mediawork(suchasameme,video,PowerPoint,drawing,

sculpture,collage,orperformancepiecetheycreate),havethestudentsexplainordepict

whythosedogsmakethemlaughorhappy,orgenerallyfeelgood.

2.Haveeachstudentidentifythreetofivedifferentfeelingsoremotions,andthendrawor

otherwisecreatedogemojisormemestodepictthosefeelingsoremotions.Or,askeach

studenttotakeselfiesofthemselvesactingoutthosevariousemotions.Thenasaclass,

discusstheimages.

27

Lesson3:

CalltoActionThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogshelppeopleinmanydifferentways.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoescalltoactionmean?

2.HowarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsansweringacalltoaction?

3.Inwhatwayshaveyouansweredacalltoactioninyourlife?

4.Whatcausesareyoupassionateabout,andhowcanyouimpactthosecausesrightnow?

Activities:

1.Askeachstudenttocommittoexploringaserviceactivityoncampusorinthe

community.Brainstormalistofthepossibleactivitiestheycanmaybedo.Oncethestudent

fulfillsthecall-to-actionserviceactivity,havethemeitherwriteabriefessayordelivera

briefpresentationabouttheexperience.

2.Ingroupsorindividually,havethestudentschooseoneoftheorganizationsfrom

ExtraordinaryDogs,whicharelistedalongwithwebsitesonPage32,toresearch.Usingthe

websites,essaysfromthebook,andanyotherresources,havethestudentsresearchthe

organizationsandthenpresenttheirfindingstotheclassinaformatofyourchoosing.

28

Lesson4:

WordstoBarkAboutVocabularywordsfordiscussion:

Love

Hope

Joy

Compassion

Courage

Hero

Help

Heal

Service

Faith

Community

Team

Volunteer

Extraordinary

Leadership

Advocacy

Calltoaction

Activities:

1.HavestudentseachchooseoneofthedogsorhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsandwrite

alettertothemusingsomeofthevocabularywordsand/orconceptsabove.Thedogsand

handlersinExtraordinaryDogscaneachbereachedusingtheaddressesreferencedon

Page32.Or,havethestudentseachwritealettertothedogsatalocalanimalshelter,or

localservicedogs,policedogs,searchandrescuedogs,oranotherspecialdog.

2.Havethestudentseachchooseoneofthesevocabularywordsandeitherwritea

personalreflectionorcreateacollagethatexpresseswhatthewordmeanstothem.

29

Lesson5:

TeamPlayersThedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogsarepartofmanyteamswhoworktogether.

DiscussionQuestions:

1.Whatdoesitmeantobepartofateam?

2.Howmanydifferentexamplesofteamscanyouname?

3.Whatteams,orgroups,areyouapartof?

4.InwhatwaysarethedogsandhandlersinExtraordinaryDogspartofateamorteams?

5.Whatdidyoulearnfromthedogsandhandlersaboutbeingateamplayer?

6.Whattalentsorattributesdoyouhavetocontributetoateam?

7.Whyisitimportanttoworktogetherwithotherpeople?

Activities:

1.Dividetheclassintogroupsoffivetosevenstudents.Havethegroupsdiscussthe

followingquestions,andthenpresenttheircollectivefindingstotheclassasagroup.

Whatdoyoulikeanddislikeaboutworkinginateam?

Whatdoesitmeantocompromise?

Whyiscompromiseimportantwhenyouarepartofateam?

Howshouldateamleaderbechosen?

Howshouldyourroleinateambedefined?

Howhaveteamshadapositiveeffectoncampus,inthecommunity,andinthecountry?

2.Dividetheclassintogroupsoffivetosevenstudents.Havethestudentspretendtheyare

realityshowproducers.Theirgoalistodeveloparealityshowthatwouldbefilmedon

campusandwouldbeaboutpeopleanddogsdoingpositivethingsforthecommunity.Have

eachgroupthenpresenttheirrealityshowconcepttotheclass.

30

BookClubDiscussionQuestions

1.WhichessayorstoryinExtraordinaryDogsinspiredorimpactedyouthemost?Please

explain.

2.WhatisthegreatestlessonyoulearnedfromtheessaysinExtraordinaryDogs?

3.InwhatwaysdidthestoriesinExtraordinaryDogssupportorchangethewayyouthink

aboutdogsorotheranimals?

4.Doyoucurrentlyhave,orhaveyoueverhad,apetorotherspecialanimalinyourlife?If

so,whatlessonsdidyoulearnfromthem?

5.EverydogandhandlerinExtraordinaryDogsexemplifiescourageandheroismin

variousways.Whatwerethemostinspiringandimpactfulexamplesofcourageand

heroismtoyoupersonallywithintheseessays?Howdidthesestoriesaffectyour

understandingofcourageandheroism?

6.ManyoftheessaysinExtraordinaryDogstakeyoubehindthescenesofsomeofthe

country’sbiggestheadliningtragediesanddisasters.Howdidthesefirst-handaccountsof

thedogsandhandlersimpactthewayyoupreviouslythoughtabouttheseevents?

7.WhatdidthestoriesinExtraordinaryDogsteachyouabouttheconnectionbetween

peopleanddogsorotheranimals?

8.AfterreadingtheessaysinExtraordinaryDogs,howhavethemeaningsofthefollowing

wordsandemotionschangedforyou:Love,hope,joy,compassion,faith,healing,courage,

hero,volunteer,andcommunityservice?

31

9.WhatdidtheessaysinExtraordinaryDogsteachyouaboutpeopleandthehumanspirit?

10.Whatdoyouthinkitisaboutdogsthatmakethemperfectforbothworkingwithand

workingtohelppeople,whetheritisasSearchandRescuedogs,TSAdogs,ComfortDogs,

servicedogs,orascanineambassadors?

11.AfterreadingtheessaysinExtraordinaryDogs,howdoyouthinkyourcommunity

couldbenefitfromdogs?Or,aretherewaysinwhichdogsandotheranimalsalready

impactyourcommunityinapositiveway?

12.InwhatwaysdidthedogsportrayedinExtraordinaryDogsdemonstratethatdogsand

otheranimalscanbegoodforourmind,body,andspirit?

13.InwhatwaysisExtraordinaryDogsacalltoaction—locally,regionally,andnationally?

Howcanyouputthiscalltoactionintopracticewithinyourownlife?

14.ThemajorityofthehandlersportrayedinExtraordinaryDogsarevolunteersforthe

respectiveorganizations.Areyouavolunteerinsomeway?Ifso,wheredoyouvolunteer?

Howhasvolunteeringaffectedyou?Afterreadingthesestories,howhasyourideaof

volunteeringchanged?

15.Totallyimpossiblequestiontoanswer,buthereitgoes:WhichdoginExtraordinaryDogs

isyourfavorite,andwhy?

BONUS:TwosetsofpageswereleftblankattheendofExtraordinaryDogsafterthe

Acknowledgmentssection.JohnandLizencourageyoutonowaddphotosofthe

extraordinarydogsinyourlife,alongwithafewwordsabouthowveryspecialtheyareto

you.

32

TheOrganizationsinExtraordinaryDogsTolearnmoreabouttheorganizationsinExtraordinaryDogs,ortofollowthemonsocial

media,pleasevisitthefollowingwebsites.

Ifyouarehavingyourstudentswritetooneofthedogsorhandlersinthebook,pleaseuse

thedog’sorhandler’snameincareofthemostrecentaddresslistedontheorganization’s

websitebelow.

LutheranChurchCharities

www.LutheranChurchCharities.org

NationalDisasterSearchDogFoundation

www.SearchDogFoundation.org

PuppyProdigies

www.SurfDogRicochet.com

ReturningSoldierInitiative

www.ReturningSoldierInitiative.com

SearchandRescueDogsoftheUnitedStates

www.sardogsus.org

TransportationSecurityAdministration

www.tsa.gov

TheVanderpumpDogFoundation

www.VanderpumpDogs.org

33

AbouttheAuthorJohnSchlimmisaHarvard-trainededucator,artist,activist,andtheaward-winningauthor

of18previousbooks,includinghismemoirFiveYearsinHeaven.Alongtimeadvocatefor

dogsandothercauses,JohnisalsothecreatoroftheParticipatoryArtpiecesPlanting

COMPASSIONandTHESMILETHATCHANGEDTHEWORLD(isyours),whichhavebeen

installedacrossthecountry.HehasappearedonsuchnationalmediaoutletsasTheEllen

DeGeneresShow,Bravo'sWatchWhatHappensLive,MarthaStewart'sEverydayLiving,NPR,

QVC,andTheSplendidTable.

FormoreinformationaboutJohn,pleasevisit:www.JohnSchlimm.com

AboutthePhotographerLizStavrinidesisacritically-acclaimedphotographerandauthorofMiracleDogsRescue

Stories.Combiningherpassionforphotographywithherinfiniteloveofdogs,Liz’s

uniquelycreativestyleemanatesfromherlifelongpursuitofbeingaprofessional

photographer.Inadditiontoalsophotographingpeople,architecture,andinteriors,Lizhas

particularlycombinedtwoofhergreatestpassionsinlife—herloveforanimalsand

photography—intoameaningfulcareer.Unleashinghercreativeeyeinthestudioandon

location,LizexclusivelyusesFUJIFILMX/GFXSeriescameras.Herworkhasbeenpublished

andexhibitedwidely,includinginModernCat,CarmelMagazine,PebbleBeach–The

Magazine,CoastalCanine,andFujiLoveMagazine.

FormoreinformationaboutLiz,pleasevisit:www.lovedogandco.com

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