449 Auburn Avenue, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30312
It Starts with Me!” Elementary Grades Curriculum
It Starts With Me! is a captivating children’s book that takes readers on an empowering journey alongside Amora, a young girl who champions love, acceptance, and belonging. Written by Drs. Bernice A. King and Kimberly P. Johnson, with beautiful illustrations by Zoe Ranucci, this curriculum seamlessly complements the book’s powerful narrative. Aligned to standards for English/Language Arts and Social Studies, it integrates an instructional model that combines Social and Emotional Learning traits, such as acceptance, love, belonging, responsibility, and caring/kindness, with essential Reading/Literature skills, specifically how plot, central idea, character development, and key details in a story help children relate the book to real-life events and challenges.
Through six lessons adaptable across elementary grades, students gain knowledge and practical tools to navigate emotions, communicate effectively, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Key objectives of the curriculum include:
- Building self-reflection, self-awareness, and empathy towards others.
- Enhancing literacy abilities through engaging writing, reading and discussion activities.
- Promoting values-based education
- Encouraging positive social behaviors such as kindness, resilience and using one’s voice.
