Seeing Beyond Our Own Experiences
Life is not the same for everyone. Some people have a comfortable home, enough food, and a family they can depend on, while others struggle to find even the basic things they need. Sometimes, we only understand these challenges when we meet people whose lives are different from ours. This is one of the important lessons readers can explore in This, This, This and That: Student Appreciation Techniques for Handling Conflict by Dr. Linda M. Davis.
Designed for eighth-grade students, this critical thinking workbook and portfolio introduces young readers to different situations involving bullying, family crises, homelessness, dignity, and human welfare. What makes this book interesting is its focus on community service and real-life challenges. Through short stories and follow-up activities, students are encouraged to understand other people’s experiences, express their needs with confidence, and consider positive ways to respond to difficult situations.
One day Winona saw her Aunt Desi waiting in the lunch line. The two were glad to see each other. They exchanged phone numbers. When at home she told her parents the story her aunt had shared about their homelessness. She had lost her job and her house. She and her four children slept in their car. They were expecting to spend their first night in a shelter at the end of the day. Therefore, Aunt Desi had access to a phone during the evening hours.
Understanding the Value of Dignity and Compassion
Winona’s experience at Dignity Cafe shows how quickly someone’s situation can change. Her aunt lost her job and home, leaving her and her four children without a place to stay. When Winona learns about their situation, she shares it with her parents, who decide to offer her aunt and cousins a place to live. This story reminds readers that people experiencing homelessness may be closer to us than we realize, and a little understanding can lead to meaningful help.
The workbook also explores other challenges that young people may encounter in their communities. Stories about bullying, runaways, cyberbullying, and family difficulties allow students to look at situations from different perspectives. Instead of simply reading what happens, they are encouraged to think about possible solutions, recognize when adult guidance is needed, and consider the consequences of their choices.
Another important lesson is the value of volunteering and being accountable. Through stories about helping at food pantries, libraries, animal shelters, and community service centers, students learn that helping others can also help them grow. These experiences encourage compassion, responsible behavior, respect for different people, and better preparation for life beyond school.
Meet Dr. Linda M. Davis
Dr. Linda M. Davis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Harris-Stowe College in St. Louis, Missouri, and a Master of Education degree from National-Louis University in Evanston, Illinois. She served as a chairperson for St. Louis Accelerated Schools and co-authored Creating a Literacy-Centered Classroom, contributing to educational work focused on learning and literacy.
In 2012, Dr. Davis published Conflict Mediation: Student Appreciation Techniques for Handling Conflict, a workbook and portfolio for students in grades three through five. She later received a Doctor of Pastoral Theology degree from Anchor Theological Seminary and Bible Institute in Pharr, Texas, in 2020. This, This, This and That is part of her Accountable Youth Series and continues her focus on helping young people develop social awareness, accountability, and positive ways of dealing with challenges.
Helping Young People Make a Difference
With This, This, This and That: Student Appreciation Techniques for Handling Conflict, Dr. Linda M. Davis gives students an opportunity to learn from situations that happen in everyday life. Through its stories and activities, the book encourages readers to look beyond their own experiences, respect others, and discover how small acts of responsibility and kindness can make a difference in their communities.
This, This, This and That: Student Appreciation Techniques for Handling Conflict
Discover stories that encourage young readers to think critically, understand others, and find positive ways to handle life’s challenges.
| Education | Self-Help | Psychology | Social Issues |