Third Grade Angels by Jerry Spinelli

To be the first angel or not to be the first angel: this is all Suds thinks about.  Jerry Spinelli humorously highlights the evolving character “Suds”  in this reflective and warmhearted classroom story.  Third grade teacher Mrs. Simms selects an angel every week based on their good deeds.  Suds questions what exactly counts as a good deed.  Spinelli takes us through Suds’  thinking processes and experiences as he strives relentlessly to become the first third grade angel.  These reflections become wonderfully rich classroom conversations about what exactly is a good deed and what motivates us to do them.  As we witness and discuss his competitive and obsessive spirit we clarify what makes up a caring, supportive classroom community.  The mentoring of his mom and teacher guide him along the way, but nothing impacts Suds as much as the surprise of his classmate’s anonymous good deed.   Through her deed we witness that she values her friend more than a need to win or be recognized.   Her kind actions highlight  the warmhearted intrinsic feeling we experience when we are moved to care selflessly for someone else.  Her generosity moves Suds to reevaluate what truly is important as he firsthand experiences the value of friendship and altruism.  Now even Suds wonders who really deserves to be the first third grade angel

Reading and reflecting about Third Grade Angel is a fantastic way to  start off the school year with my third graders.  The students enjoy the social and emotional conversations we have chapter by chapter.  What does good behavior look like? What happens when competition is taken too far? Together we share our ideas about good deeds.  Why do you agree or disagree with Mrs. Simm’s first angel choice?   We discuss how genuine kindness, altruism, and doing our personal best create our fun, supportive and growing class community in which we all win.  

Paula Kerns