Social Skills

Baguley, Elizabeth. (2005). Meggie Moon. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc

ISBN - 10: 1-84506-443-7

Meggie Moon is a girl who likes to play with boys.  But boys at her age don`t want to play with her.  They think she is too girly, and they would rather be alone.  She comes across two boys in a junk yard and asks to play.  They tell her ``NO GIRLS ALLOWED``.  With hurt feelings she goes off to prove to the boys that she is fun.  She creates a race car and allows them to play.  Then she makes a pirate ship and a space shuttle.  The boys realize that she is very fun, and that playing with a girl can be great!  Meggie eventually has to  move and the boys are distraught.  They build a space ship to go off and find her.

This is a great story for inclusion (Specifically boys and girls including the opposite sex).  The artwork and dialogue are very enticing, allowing the children to follow along with the story very easily.

Presentation:

1.) Ask the boys and girls to sit next to a member of the opposite sex.  Pause along the story and have the children talk amoungst themselves about their ideas about what has just happened.

2.) Ask the children to act out different parts of the story as you go along.

3.) A feltboard story is great for this story because the storyline is easy to remember and follow. 
Provocations:

1.) Have a sign up in circle area that reads `NO GIRLS ALLOWED`` and see the reactions.  When the boys all migrate to the circle, switch the sign around to the back which could read `NO BOYS ALLOWED``.  Ask how they feel about the lack of inclusion.

Extentions:

1.) Have game time and ask the children to choose partners of the opposite sex

2.) Because the story is set in the junk yard, it is a great opportunity to do some recycled art.

3.) Have the group come up with activities that both boys and girls enjoy and just have fun doing those activities all together!