My Costume Is Ruined!

Characteristics of a comic

Problem and solution

Social and Life Skills: self-regulation

• Whole Group: Read the article aloud as a shared reading during morning meeting, or use during community-building time.
• Small Group

• From the Storyworks archive: “Sticky Situation: Bad Day!,” May/ June 2023
• Suggested books: When Sophie Gets Angry— Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang

Video: What's In a Comic? (5 minutes)

• How comics use pictures, thoughts, and dialogue to show what’s happening in the story.

• If students need a refresher, watch the “What’s in a Comic?” video before reading. Discuss how comics use pictures, thoughts, and dialogue to show what’s happening in the story.
• Read the Mini Graphic aloud to students while they follow along. As you read, check for comprehension. What is Fran’s problem? What is she feeling? What does she want? What does she need?
• Use the Talk it Out prompts to facilitate discussion. Have students ever experienced something like this before? What helped them? Who helped them? What advice do they have for Fran?
• Close the conversation with a review of classroom rules that can be challenging to follow. Why are these rules in place? What do they help us do? How do they keep the classroom community safe and happy? Have students share their thoughts and responses.

• Skills: Self-regulation (10 minutes)

Skill: Self-regulation (15 minutes)

• After completing the skill sheet, gather students together to share what they wrote and drew about. Chart student ideas for “back on track” strategies after they experience an emotional upset at school.
• Hang the chart in an area of your classroom where students can reference it throughout their day. You could also create a calm-down corner incorporating students’ suggestions for what would help them calm down in the classroom.