Topics that may be of interest:

For older grades:

Discussion of writing style

How Jazlyn was created

Behind the scenes, the publishing of a book

Question and answer period designed to give students the chance to ask questions of interest about the series, writing or creative inspiration.

Educational Component To Jazlyn J Series

For each letter of the alphabet there is a book that focuses on a theme that kids can relate to. For each of these books, I have put together ideas to share with the kids I visit in the schools. If you have any questions about anything in this presentation, please feel free to contact me via e-mail at: renna@jazlynj.com

A great introduction to learning about addresses and how they are used.

• Postcards to their friends
• Pen pals (some teachers have this started in Grade 3 classes)
• Drawing a map of their street
• List the reasons it’s important to know your address - we also discuss who you DON’T give your address to (strangers)

A fun book celebrating Jazlyn’s 7th birthday. A great book for the younger kids as they try to figure out how old Jazlyn is!

• Birthday cards for their friends (how to make them
• What date is their birthday on?
• A talk about why we celebrate birthdays
• I usually ask who is celebrating a birthday today and when I know that I will be reading this book, I usually bring along a small gift (colouring book and crayons or other age-appropriate gift)

The hilarious look at the parts of the computer.

• Ask kids to draw parts of the computer and their true uses
• Make the computer less intimidating while having fun with the parts that sound like something else. (mouse, web, recycle bin, etc)
• If I know I am going to be reading this book, I bring colouring pages from this book for the kids.

• Danger quiz (we have also added it to the website)
• This book is currently being used by the Hospital for Sick Kids poison control centre and some government offices.
• A great book that focuses on the danger symbols on products and why we need to avoid them.
• Teachers have said they like this book for it’s “non-threatening” approach.

• We give out sheets of Jazlyn J without her facial expression/mouth and ask kids to fill it out and others to guess what the expression is. (See attached sample)
• They are welcome to send their pictures into us to put on the website
• Discussion about the importance of expressing ourselves to others and sharing how we feel.

• A new and exciting way to tell time, while personalizing it to every individual’s own day!
• Have them list what their favourite parts of the day are.
• Finding their favourite things about other people- an exercise in truly seeing the good in others
• Favourite moments in life- diaries, journals and how much fun they are
• Encouraging positive thoughts by talking about how to help others see the best in themselves by sharing compliments and praise

• Goal setting sheets with a workshop in how to set realistic goals
• Discussion of why goals can be fun
• Discussion of how goals can make dreams come true
• When I read this book, I discuss with the kids the importance of NEVER giving up.

• Bad Hair Fun- we hand out pictures of Jazlyn without her hair, that they get to fill in. (We invite them to send pictures in to be added to the website)
• Discuss how a bad hair day isn’t the end of the world
• Discuss self-acceptance and a positive self-image by having them list the things they appreciate in others and passing it on to them. Generally, the kind thoughts of someone else stick in their mind and paint a positive picture of what others think of us.

• This book focuses on how everyone is an important individual with special talents, abilities and tastes.
• Individuality and the importance of choice

• List 2 things that you have been or currently are jealous about, discuss how to overcome our jealousy by not comparing what we have or who we are to someone else.
• Help them to appreciate what they have in their lives and how lucky they are.

• Discuss keys, their many uses and the importance of privacy and why there are locks on things
• Discussion on what kind of locks out there have keys (doors, diaries, desks, cabinets, cars, etc)

• Make four leaf–clovers and in each leaf of the clover, have children write or draw what they feel most lucky about in their lives.
• Study other cultures and what they think is lucky or brings good luck.
• Have each child write a short story on their luckiest moment and why they felt so lucky.

• Make or get a class piggy bank and decide what you'd like to save for as a class! It can be a class trip, a party, a gift for a retiring teacher or to donate to a local charity! (Don't forget to set a goal!)
  
  
• Think of ways that kids can make money for saving for something. Make a list together.
  
  
• Bring play money into class and count the money together. Show how much money it would take to buy a loaf of bread or a candy bar.
  
  
• Discuss why money is important and what you can buy with money. (Where do we use money? How does it help us?)
  
  
• Discussion topic: When is money not so important?
  
  
• Discuss the value of friendship and how Julie and Jazlyn were both willing to make sacrifices in order for the other one to be happy. (They both felt that friendship is more important than money).
  
  
• Have the kids write a list of what they would do with $100.00 dollars if they were to ever have that given to them.
  

• Introduce how important numbers are by examining with the class all the ways we use them and where we can find them. A child will be more comfortable in participating in math when they understand just how well they know their numbers already! (Clocks, signs, elevators, radio station dials, TV station numbers, book pages that remind us where we left off, stove temperatures, house numbers, etc.)
• Have the children make their own list of numbers that are important to them and the unique places that they see them!
• Create a height chart for each child to take home and monitor their growth for the year with their family.
• Have the kids make clocks and with moveable arms, have them placed on their favourite parts of the day and discuss with them why that is.
• Have the kids write a list of what they would do with $100.00 dollars if they were to ever have that given to them.
  

• Discuss Opposites such as big/little, noisy/quiet, brother/sister, asleep/awake, etc and ask kids to point out opposites that they recognize from their daily life. (morning/night, happy/sad, running/walking)
• Discuss that despite the differences you can find in two opposite things....there are similarities too. What kinds of similarities can they find?
• Reach further to discuss with the kids about the differences in people, their classmates, their neighbours. Just because someone is different or has an opposing opinion, it doesn't make it wrong. It makes it exciting, because we can learn from these differences.
• Choose a boy and a girl to stand at the front of the class and have the kids name their favourite things (colour, sport, books, movies, cartoons, foods, number, etc) List these things behind them on a chalkboard and then circle the things that may be different or opposite from each other. Then circle the things that are the same. **Note** You may wish to ask these two kids separately and away from the other students and then list them, so that answers will be unique.

• Discuss with the class how they can give of themselves instead of buying a gift. (homemade coupons for chores around the house they wouldn't normally do, creating a memorable craft, spending time with someone, etc)
• Have each child write their own Christmas story.
• Ask children to share their favourite parts of Christmas, focusing on those things that are not store-bought but made or time spent with those they love.
• Work with the class to make a list on all of the ways that they can be unselfish all year round. (A great opportunity to reinforce kindness and respect for others, as well as open up a discussion about how good it feels to be generous!)