"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."

We used the following prompt with students and it generated some great discussion and meaningful connections:

Here is what we can only infer author Donna Gephart believes to be a powerful and fitting quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson at the beginning of Lily and Dunkin:

"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."

What do you think this quote means? Can think of any examples of when a kindness might come too late? 

by Ms. Guest

Google Hangout with Donna Gephart

I was starstruck. I am so glad Ms. Gephart felt compelled to write Lily and Dunkin. It is now one of my favourite books of all time. I was starstruck being in a Google Hangout with her. She is so personable, friendly and enthusiastic. Isn't it amazing that we could see her and talk to her all the way in Florida? Technology has the power to connect us.

Is there anything she said that really resonated with you? 

Is there another question you wish we had asked her?

I understand how she feels that her story is complete but I like the characters so much, I wish she were going to write a sequel. I wonder how the relationship between Lily and Dunkin would develop, now that they are supporting each other. I wonder what challenges they would have and how they would deal with them. 

Remember, if you want to ask Ms. Gephart a question, you can go to her website.

http://www.donnagephart.com/contact.html

Thinking about Bipolar Disorder

Reading about Dunkin helped me to better understand the inner struggles someone with bipolar disorder can face on a daily basis. Watch this video where Maggie tells the true account of her life with bipolar disorder. 

After reading about Dunkin and listening to Maggie's story, what do you think is important to remember about bipolar disorder?

Special Announcement

We are so excited to invite you to join a conversation with the author of Lily and Dunkin

on Tuesday, May 9th at 2:00 pm!  You will need to use the Google Chrome browser on a laptop that is connected to a data projector and speakers.  That way your students will be able to see and hear Donna Gephart clearly.

You will be watching a livestream of the interview.  

You will also be able to send questions to us on Twitter during the live event by adding @scdsbreadaloud into the tweet to bring it to our attention. For an even better chance of having your question read to Ms Gephart, please work together with your students to brainstorm and then add your best ideas on this Google form:

Questions for Donna Gephart   

A few minutes before 2:00 pm on Tuesday, May 9th, visit SCDSBreadaloud.blogspot.ca

and click on the link on the homepage

to watch the hangout.

"Home"

For everyone reading Lily and Dunkin, and arguably for everyone, this video delivers a powerful message of support for the transgender community.

Filmed 7 months apart, this moving cover of the song “HOME” features Ruby, before she began hormone treatments, singing the female part and Charlie, 7 months into his hormone treatments, singing the male part.

Not only is this a beautiful duet, but it is also a moving tribute to the love and support Charlie received during his transition.  The video is an excellent addition to a Lily and Dunkin discussion or to help students understand Transgender students.

                                                                                   Mr. Mills, Ferndale Woods

What are your thoughts after watching this video?  

Please take a moment to leave a comment.

Why?

If we learn at school to be accepting, kind and empathetic, then why do people still have such strong negative opinions about people who are different, like Lily?

What do you notice first about others? What do you want others to notice about you?

Click on this link to watch a thought-provoking video. See below to leave a comment.
I Am NOT Black, You Are NOT White video