EL!ZABETH

Is Stuck at Home, Too

At this strange and fraught moment for all of us, our kids are navigating huge disruptions in both their routines and the expectations on them. Maybe even more, they are experiencing the storm of emotions they (and the rest of the people they live with) are feeling. It’s a lot to process!

I keep thinking about how Elizabeth, my character who is so full of the big feelings she struggles to manage, would be coping — and also wondering how all the other kids are faring.

Here, then, is a new story from Elizabeth herself for you to share with your kids and students. I will continue it over the coming days and weeks, and include activities for Elizabeth’s friends to try.

Please let me know how you and yours are doing, and send along any work you want me to share here!

 ELIZABETH IS STUCK AT HOME, TOO

Chapter 1.

Three Things I Don’t Miss About School Right Now

1.     When I don’t get the good swing because Anna gets to it first.

2.     My sandwich dented from my apple in my lunch box

3.     Raising my hand and then Ms. Patel says “Elizabeth” and then I forgot my question.

Three Things I DO Miss About School Right Now

1.     Ms. Patel

2.     Learning new things like silent letters and facts about bubbles

3.     Everybody

Except Anna and Smelly Dan

Chapter 2.

Here is a secret I don’t even want to tell myself:

 Twice today I accidentally missed Anna.

And once, Smelly Dan.

Chapter 3.

Now that I have admitted those facts of missing everybody even the one who is Annoying (Anna) and the one who smells like pockets (Dan), I don’t know WHAT to do.

Maybe I will see if my dog Qwerty wants to do an art project with me, or dress up in fancy clothes together.

Chapter 4.

Mom said, “Stop torturing Qwerty.”

 She is the one who keeps walking him and going for runs with him.

He is so tired.

He was hiding behind the couch when I found him.

Chapter 5.

I think Qwerty was happy to get dragged out from behind the couch and try on hats.

“Elizabeth!” said Mom.

“Qwerty likes playing dress up!” I said.

I was helping Qwerty stay still and show how good he looked in that pom-pom hat, instead of hiding again. “I think you’re making him feel bad!”

 “I think Qwerty needs some time alone,” Mom said to me.

“Great minds don’t think alike,” I told her.

 “That’s not how –” my brother Justin started to explain.

“It’s an EXPRESSION,” I explained right back.

Chapter 6.

“Everybody please quiet down,” Dad said. “I am on a Zoom call.”

I stomped up to my room.

 A person can’t be quiet when she is stomping up stairs.

Stomping is a loud activity.

Chapter 7.

Hang on!

I just had a great idea! 

This will be fun and creative and only make a medium-size mess probably!

Chapter 8.

It is a birthday card for Ms. Patel!

A great big huge birthday card, with beautiful art!

And things glued to it!

 This will take all of my time and creative art skills.

Ms. Patel is a great teacher and she deserves the most beautiful card ever in the history of birthday cards, for her birthday!

 And I am the perfect second grader to make it for her!