In Just Ask, United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor celebrates the different abilities kids (and people of all ages) have. Using her own experience as a child who was diagnosed with diabetes, Justice Sotomayor writes about children with all sorts of challenges–and looks at the special powers those kids have as well. As the kids work together to build a community garden, asking questions of each other along the way, this book encourages readers to do the same: When we come across someone who is different from us but we’re not sure why, all we have to do is Just Ask.
Discussion Questions
- What does the title “Just Ask” mean?
- How did this story make you feel? Why?
- What did you learn from listening to this story?
- What questions have you been wanting to ask but haven’t?
- Is there anything new you’re going to do after reading this book? Or is there anything you might do differently?
Activities
- Watch the Sesame Street video featuring the author
- What can we learn from the video?
- Write a question you can just ask someone – with respect – to learn more about them.
- Create a class or family support agreement
- Create a collaborative poster titled “Here’s how we can support each other”
- Everyone adds ideas such as:
- Ask before assuming
- Offer help, but let people choose
- Celebrate everyone’s strengths
- Create a Just Ask! conversation circle
- Role-play scenarios where one child asks someone else about their interests, their tools (insulin pump, glasses, etc.), their feelings, what helps them learn
- Facilitators can model respectful phrasing such as:
- Can you tell me more about…?
- How can I help?
- What would you like me to know about….?