Be You Peter Reynolds Activities: Discussion Questions, Writing Craft, and more

There’s something magical about Be You!, Peter Reynolds. It’s a gentle, colorful celebration of individuality and self-expression that speaks straight to the hearts of our students (and let’s be honest, to us teachers too!). Every page encourages kids to be brave, curious, kind, and most of all – themselves.

Whether you’re reading this at the beginning of the school year, during a friendship unit, or just when your class needs a little confidence boost, this book is a perfect choice. Here are a few ways you can bring Be You! into your classroom – with free activity ideas, a lesson plan, and suggestions that go beyond the text!

Be You (Peter Reynolds) book Discussion Questions

One of my favorite ways to start is with an interactive read aloud. As I read Be You!, I pause on key pages to ask discussion questions like:

• What do you think the author means when he uses the phrase ‘kindred spirits’? Tell your partner who your kindred spirits are. Why?
• How does the illustration make you feel?
• Which “Be” message speaks to you the most?

Let your students turn and talk, jot responses on sticky notes, or simply share aloud. It’s a powerful way to build listening and speaking skills while connecting deeply with the text.

Want these questions prepped and ready on actual printable sticky notes? My full resource includes sticky-note style read aloud prompts to focus on VOCABULARY IN THE STORY that you can stick right in your book for each page – no prep needed!

Be You Craftivity – “I Am Me!”

After your read aloud, get crafty! Have students choose a favorite line from the book – like Be Kind, Be Brave, or Be Curious (or all of them!) – and create a mini-poster about how they show that trait in their life and add a self-portrait.

TIP: This activity is perfect for hallway displays, self-esteem boosters, and SEL integration.

In my full unit, students complete a guided text-to-self craftivity with printable templates and sentence starters – making this activity truly meaningful and easy to implement!

Be You Reader’s Response

On the third day when we wrap the reading sessions of the book, we dive into opinion writing and word work. Ask students to respond to questions like:

• Which “Be” message is most important for kids today?
• Which message was hardest/easiest to understand?

Pair this with a vocabulary hunt: in my lessons I target works words like bold, journey, dream, and true that are rich with meaning and help foster class discussion.

My resource includes ready-to-print vocabulary flashcards, differentiated word work sheets, and an opinion writing prompt page – all perfectly aligned to the book’s message and first grade-friendly!

Final Thoughts

Peter H. Reynolds has a way of reminding us that our students are already full of potential – we just need to nurture it. Be You! is the perfect way to do just that, with a mix of literacy, social-emotional learning, and creativity.

If you’re ready to make the most out of this book in your classroom, check out my complete Be You! activity pack on TPT — filled with graphic organizers, vocabulary tools, writing prompts, and a fun, meaningful craft.