BSEL Library: What Should Danny Do? On Vacation!

If you're like me, you love the original book What Should Danny Do? by Ganit and Adir Levy. That's why I am so excited to share with you the perfect summer sequel, What Should Danny Do? On Vacation!  

​We're going to break down what we love about the book, a couple things you should be aware of before using the book, and ideas and resources for how to use this book in your classroom, including a free ending map to help you choose your class' adventure.

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Ganit and Adir Levy's books are like magic for teaching BSEL in the classroom. All of their books are written as a choose-your-own-adventure focusing on the "Power to Choose." These books have multiple opportunities for readers to choose between two options throughout, with different choices leading to multiple different endings! Some choices lead to desirable, fun endings, while others not so much. However, all choices and endings provide a segue into reflection and discussion for your students or children.

If you want to teach about responsible decision making or consequences of behaviors, any of Ganit and Adir Levy's books are a great place to start.

Specifically, What Should Danny Do? On Vacation! takes the "Power to Choose" and expands it beyond school or even beyond home. This can be so helpful for your students who struggle to generalize skills to new settings, or even just put a fun summer twist on your instruction. Now, I won't give away any spoilers, but there is one ending in particular that's unique to On Vacation! as well. Basically, it involves some perspective-taking and including others with disabilities. (Hint: a character uses a wheelchair and I love that they added this detail!). This book has a lot going for it. 

​There are some things to note before you use this book, though.

• First, you need a little background before diving in, so I would start with one of the other books in the series first. You may even want to read with "What Would Darla Do?" which focuses on a female main character.
• Another thing to remember is not every student gets to experience a vacation. Keep this in mind when you consider if this book is a good fit for the demographic of students that you teach.
• Also, the series is definitely geared towards a younger crowd. I probably wouldn't recommend this book above fourth grade, and even that might be a stretch if you have a more mature group.
• And finally, the book does include some behaviors you may want to filter out for your students. For example, there is a scene with water guns, as well as a temper tantrum that includes some aggression. I think they could start great conversations with students, like prioritizing safety or what is school appropriate, but just be aware it may need addressed. While I would read this with almost any student, I have a couple who I may skip those parts with. You know your students best!

If you're planning to bring this book to your students, I suggest downloading this free ending map to help you keep track of the multiple endings and how to get to each one. You can either cross off the numbers on the right as you find that ending, pick a path based on the ending you want, or a combination of both. While the Levy's do a great job of marking how to navigate the book, I found as a teacher that this map helped me know which endings we'd read or guide students to a new ending. I hope this helps you too!

Now, when I use this book in my classroom, I make it into a mini SEL unit. Since the book has 9 endings, I spread it across 2 weeks. Each day, we try to find a new ending. Then, on the 10th day, we do an extension activity. But I'd adjust all of this a little bit, depending if I was doing Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3 intervention.

• When I use this with a whole group or Tier 1, I pause at each choice to let students discuss in pairs or groups before pulling a random stick to make the choice for the class. For extension, we'd create a Power To Choose bulletin board that identifies choices in our own lives.
• In small group or Tier 2, we go around the circle to take turns making the choice. For extension, we create an alternate ending as a group based on a different choice Danny could have made.
• If reading this one-on-one or Tier 3 intervention, I alternate between my choice and the student choosing, really individualizing the conversation around applying it to the student. For extension, we create a contingency map that applies to the student's needs and behavior plan.

Also, don't forget to check out the free resources and printables for teachers, available on the What Should Danny Do website. 

Please, let me know if you give this a try in your classroom! I'm here to celebrate your wins and help find solutions to any roadblocks too. 

We already know books provide opportunities to teach just about any skill, and that includes BSEL skills, too! Through character, conflict, and more, BSEL skills can be found on nearly every page. A library of BSEL books gives you endless options to incorporate academics as well. Grab some BSEL books and get teaching!