INVISIBLE THOBINS BECOME FRIENDS WITH THE ANIMALS.        

Being Buddies with Thob and Thobina
Fostering Literacy & Social/Emotional Learning
Through the Dramatic Arts with Miss Cami

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SIMPLE, BUT AWKWARD SITUATIONS ARE DISCUSSED WITH REFERENCE TO THEMES SUCH AS EMPATHY, CONFIDENCE AND RESPECT. CHILDREN IMPROVISE SCRIPTS FOR DRAMATIZATIONS THAT INVOLVE SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL AWARENESS AND KINDNESS. THE VARIOUS ANIMALS HAVE DIFFERENT SOCIAL STYLES THAT WE ALL CAN RELATE TO. CHILDREN LEARN FROM TIGER, RABBIT, CAT, DOG, MONKEY AND MORE. THOB AND THOBINA SERVE AS GUIDES TO GETTING ALONG WITH THE ANIMALS AS THEY GET TO KNOW THEM.

The invisible Thobins give clues to their animal friends,
and vicariously to our children, about
CONFIDENCE, RESPECT, EMPATHY, FAIRNESS and RESPECT.


​Below, based on Miss Cami’s story theme prompts, 2nd graders wrote dialogue on their illustrated storyboards.  Their handout scripts were then used for quick readings and recordings.    

Children got to perform their own scripts that address awkward situations. Scroll down to see some of the character and stage props they made for their shows.  

Badger puts down Mouse, but Mouse and Thobin speak up.

Cat’s being friendly to Dog who just got hurt and is feeling sad.

Badger hogs the ball, so Thob, Thobina and Rabbit speak up.



I write, illustrate and read very short theme based Thobin stories. Children read, write and play while they practice social emotional skills.  (confidence, respect, empathy...)

With downloadable characters, children can make paper props and practice social skills for fun, education and reinforcement.  The primary characters, the invisible Thobin twins, model social awareness and offer friendly clues
to help their animals friends. 

Giraffe cut in line so Thobina speaks up as best as she can.

PERFECT FOR IN-CLASS OR VIRTUAL LEARNING
It Works Because It's So Much Fun!

      Children love to work hard to give a good "show and tell."  Thob, Thobina and their animal friends require and cultivate a child's imagination and therefore Being Buddies comes alive for young learners.  Stories and theme posters are focused on confidence, respect and empathy.  Based on prompts to acknowledge emotions and bullying, students create short storyboard script dialogue to parallel story situations that deal with awkward or difficult situations.  Students read, write, discuss, color, cut, paint, and record their learning based on time priorities and skill levels.  They think critically about their socialial issues and also delight in the simple character props that they use when they dramatize their scripts. 

Students color, paint or use color printed characters to create props to use for their role-plays that demonstrate their skills in bullying prevention and intervention. 

(The original 2nd grade 2010 pilot, at Ithaca's Beverly Martin Elementary with Ms. Millie Clarke Maynard’s 2nd graders, was funded thanks to IPEI.)

Below here is a slide show of one of my original picture books.