All My Stripes

To supplement the themes of the play, we're donating the book All My Stripes by Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer and illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin to each school SQUEAK serves in person.

• Read All My Stripes or watch a read-aloud.

• Discuss what makes Zane different from the other zebras in his class.

• Explain that people with autism experience the world differently from neurotypical people. Zane finds the feeling of paint on his hooves extremely unpleasant in a way that his classmates do not. While the fire alarm sounds loud to everyone, to Zane it is completely overwhelming. Point out that like Squeak, Zane wants to be friends with his peers but doesn't know how to interact with them.

• Discuss how everyone has strengths and everyone has challenges. Help students brainstorm some of their own strengths. Then pass out the worksheet below and have them draw and label their own "stripes" on the zebra.

Core Standards

3.HF.3: Describe how to interact with those who are different from oneself and demonstrate ways to treat others with dignity and respect.

1.HF.3: Demonstrate how to express gratitude, treat others with kindness, and respect differences.

K.HF.3: Communicate respectfully with others.

Social Studies K.1 Identify how individuals are similar and different.

1 Social Studies 1.f Communicate positive feelings and ideas of self (e.g., positive self image, good friend, helper, honest).

Library Media (K-5).1 Establish reading behaviors for lifelong learning and growth.

Portrait of a Graduate Competencies

Respect: Acknowledge differences by looking for the good in everyone, including oneself, and show due regard for feelings, rights, cultures and traditions.