I Wish You Knew
"I Wish You Knew" tells the story of a young girl who carries a secret, one she wishes to share but finds it difficult to put into words. As educators, we know that our students often face challenges, big or small, inside and outside the classroom. This book beautifully portrays the internal struggles students might encounter and the longing they have to be understood.
The story revolves around Luna, a young girl who wishes others knew about her father's deportation. Luna's heartfelt "I wish you knew" statements provide a glimpse into the emotional impact of immigration policies on families.
-Dena
Social Justice Activities:
Human Migration: Before reading this book, make sure students have studied human migration to build empathy and understanding around how humanity has, since the beginning of time, moved to new places for a variety of reasons.
Empathy Journal: Provide students with empathy journals where they can record their own "I wish you knew" statements or moments when they've shown empathy. Encourage them to connect these experiences to Luna's story.
Community Building: Use the book as a springboard to discuss the importance of building a supportive and inclusive classroom community. Brainstorm ways in which students can support each other and create a list of classroom norms that promote empathy and kindness.
Guest Speaker: Invite a guest speaker, such as a counselor, social worker, or community leader, to talk to students about the importance of empathy, active listening, and supporting one another. This provides real-world context for the book's themes.
Classroom Agreements: Collaboratively create classroom agreements or a "compassion contract" that outlines how students will treat each other with empathy, kindness, and respect throughout the school year.
Relevant Social Justice Standards:
Identity 4. Students will express pride, confidence and healthy self-esteem without denying the value and dignity of other people.
Diversity 6. Students will express comfort with people who are both similar to and different from them and engage respectfully with all people.
Diversity 9. Students will respond to diversity by building empathy, respect, understanding and connection.
Reading Strategies:
Character Analysis: Have students analyze the main character, Luna, and other characters in the story. Encourage them to describe the characters' feelings, motivations, and challenges. Discuss how empathy plays a role in the characters' interactions.
Symbolism: Discuss the symbolic elements in the book, such as the stars and the moon. Ask students to explore the possible meanings of these symbols in the context of the story.
- Realistic Fiction, All Ages
- Perspectives: Separated families
- Author's stated heritage: Puerto Rican & Ecuadorian
- Subject Integration: Poetry, Social Emotional Learning, Human Migration
Book covers images are from publishers and in the public domain