Poor Elliot. He only wants to get his way.

Who among us didn't threaten to "run away" when we were children. I know I did! The thing is, my mom was savvy about the ways of children and when I made my pronouncement, she handed me my dad's suitcase. Plus, there was the little matter of RULES. The rule was that I couldn't leave the yard. So much for me getting my way! Children (and teachers) everywhere are identifying with Elliot's attempt to assert himself.

Here's a hands-on activity for younger children that we'll call "Pack a Suitcase."

You'll need:

One expandable folder for each child

Construction paper

Art pens or Crayons

Templates (optional)

Process:

Brainstorm with children about the items somebody might want to take with them on a trip. Then have children cut out shapes of items that they think they would put into their own suitcase (the expandable file folder) if they were taking a trip. For very young children, you may want to provide templates of items--shirt, shoes, pants, etc. Older children will want to create their own. Decorate the items.

The suitcase might be decorated with "stickers" from various ports-of-call. As a cross-curriculum activity, they might do a study of different countries and create construction-paper "stickers" of emblems identified with the various countries they would visit (the Eiffel Tower, the great pyramid, the Chrysler building, etc.). Create a "passport" and you'll all be on your way.

One student took the following items: socks, 2 t-shirts (one fancy, one plain), pants, boots, cookies (chocolate chip--obviously a kid who takes after Larry), a jelly sandwich, and goldfish (no bowl?).

Of course, Elliot knows that there's no place like home. Be sure each child packs a return ticket home.