My Buddy

My Buddy is a second grade guidance lesson developed at Crystal Lake Elementary by Pat Ruddle Dooley to help students promote an acceptance of the differences in people and an understanding of some of the issues a person who is physically disabled may have to deal with. The students should be able to distinguish between differences in cultures, lifestyles, and abilities. My Buddy is a non-fiction book written by Audrey Osofsky. Ms. Osofsky is an author from Burnsville, Minnesota. She wrote this book after interviewing a young boy with a physical disability. The following lesson is designed for a 30 minute period.

A typical lesson follows by asking students the following questions:

* What is a disability?
* What are some different kinds of disabilities that people have?
* How should we treat people who have disabilities?
* Today’s story is about a boy who is disabled and the dog who works with him and loves him unconditionally.

Read the story to the students and follow up with a discussion by asking the following questions:

* What did you think about the boy’s situation?
* How was his dog helpful to him?
* How do you think it would feel to be in a wheelchair?
* How would you want others to treat you if you were in a wheel chair?
* What did you learn today about disabilities and how to treat people who may have a disability?

As you are reading the story you may stop and ask questions to make sure the students are following along and comprehending the story. You can also have some discussion with the students if someone has something to share or a personal story to tell.