Kerry Armstrong
Kerry Armstrong and Terri Mack met fifteen years ago and have been learning and thinking together ever since! Both live on Vancouver Island and enjoy any opportunity to go outside and find some trees. Together, they have created Strong Nations Publishing's SEL series, I Am Like a TREE.
More about Kerry Armstrong and UDL
Over 30 years of teaching in 9 different school districts in Canada K-12, including working with the teachers in training at Vancouver Island University (VIU). Online teaching experience at VIU and at SD#43 Coquitlam. Worked to implement the principles of UDL as a teacher and consultant since 2004. Written articles presented locally, provincially, nationally and internationally on Inquiry and UDL.
I intend to learn more every day about how each and every learner can hope to improve by creating trusting relationships. I am especially motivated to make sweeping changes so that there are no 'cracks' in classroom floors. Because of my diverse career, I have some insights into why and how learners fall through the 'cracks'; and, I am committed to shoring up ladders for learners to climb from under the floorboards and then I want to seal those cracks forever. We will dialogue and take risks to build networks that collaborate to make sweeping changes. We will share and show what we know and we will celebrate our successes.
Kids Books (4)
Synopsis:
Conversations are important for everyone. Some conversations can only occur when we feel brave enough to say our words out loud. By talking with those who offer to listen and connect respectfully, we can grow emotionally. We can also learn ways to help others shine. By discovering, growing, and learning about the many emotional parts of ourselves and others, we can find our Present Self.
Follow along in this conversation that connects our emotional parts of ourselves to TREE (our Present Self). As BARK (Courage) and our KNOTS (Struggles) communicate, we learn that our parts grow inside of us so we can be just like a strong, healthy, and growing TREE.
Educator & Series Information
Recommended for Grades 4+
The back cover introduction and content overview inside make the books in the I Am Like a TREE series great for many learning situations. In each book are four discussion questions that focus on comprehension strategies and mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual connections. The books also provide an inquiry theme to explore and include five activity ideas for independent or group use.
This book is part of the social-emotional learning (SEL) series, I Am Like a TREE. I Am Like a TREE series consists of four titles:
I Am Like a TREE: BARK and KNOTS – A Story of Courage and Struggles
I Am Like a TREE: LEAVES and BRANCHES – A Story of Belonging and Growth
I Am Like a TREE: SEEDS and LEAVES – A Story of Self Care and Belonging
I Am Like a TREE: TRUNK and ROOTS – A Story of Self and Empathy
The TREE in this series is a metaphor for what we are calling your “Present Self”. Our belief, through personal experience, is that we as living beings have several emotional parts that make us a whole, our Present Self. Each of these parts though are not equal in their emotional experience, so, at times, different situations for an individual can be strong while at other times not. Some experiences can keep us in a frozen stage of development without knowing this and we then respond to “like type” experiences in the same way as we did in the past.
Our intention with these conversational stories in a reader’s theatre format is to provide a window into what emotional parts a person may use while having a conversation. The side margins tell all as each conversation unfolds indicating what parts of TREE the character is using. Some of these conversations are focused on the older individual trying to find a solution while the younger individual is providing support as best they can, as a solid TREE. Our intent is to imply that emotional learning is lifelong.
We hope that through these stories we will all continue to extend a hand to those who are reaching, listen to those who are speaking, and feel with an open heart to all those heartbeats that surround us. And for ourselves, love who you are, respect your own actions, and know that you deserve kindness, love and safety and that you belong here.
Additional Information
24 Pages | 8" x 8" | ISBN: 9781771745642 | Paperback
Synopsis:
Conversations are important for everyone. Some conversations can only occur when we feel understood. By talking with others, we can learn new ways to be respectful, kind, and empathetic. As we deepen our learning, we become more aware of our own actions. By discovering, growing, and learning about the many emotional parts of ourselves and others, we can find our Present Self.
Follow along in this conversation that connects our emotional parts of ourselves to TREE (our Present Self). As LEAVES (Belonging) and BRANCHES (Growth) communicate, we learn that our parts protect us so we can be just like a strong, healthy, and growing TREE.
Educator & Series Information
Recommended for Grades 4+
The back cover introduction and content overview inside make the books in the I Am Like a TREE series great for many learning situations. In each book are four discussion questions that focus on comprehension strategies and mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual connections. The books also provide an inquiry theme to explore and include five activity ideas for independent or group use.
This book is part of the social-emotional learning (SEL) series, I Am Like a TREE. I Am Like a TREE series consists of four titles:
I Am Like a TREE: BARK and KNOTS – A Story of Courage and Struggles
I Am Like a TREE: LEAVES and BRANCHES – A Story of Belonging and Growth
I Am Like a TREE: SEEDS and LEAVES – A Story of Self Care and Belonging
I Am Like a TREE: TRUNK and ROOTS – A Story of Self and Empathy
The TREE in this series is a metaphor for what we are calling your “Present Self”. Our belief, through personal experience, is that we as living beings have several emotional parts that make us a whole, our Present Self. Each of these parts though are not equal in their emotional experience, so, at times, different situations for an individual can be strong while at other times not. Some experiences can keep us in a frozen stage of development without knowing this and we then respond to “like type” experiences in the same way as we did in the past.
Our intention with these conversational stories in a reader’s theatre format is to provide a window into what emotional parts a person may use while having a conversation. The side margins tell all as each conversation unfolds indicating what parts of TREE the character is using. Some of these conversations are focused on the older individual trying to find a solution while the younger individual is providing support as best they can, as a solid TREE. Our intent is to imply that emotional learning is lifelong.
We hope that through these stories we will all continue to extend a hand to those who are reaching, listen to those who are speaking, and feel with an open heart to all those heartbeats that surround us. And for ourselves, love who you are, respect your own actions, and know that you deserve kindness, love and safety and that you belong here.
Additional Information
24 Pages | 8" x 8" | ISBN: 9781771745628 | Paperback
Synopsis:
Conversations are important for everyone. Some conversations can only occur when we have a sense of belonging. By talking with others, we can learn about healthy friendships and about ways to feel safe and protected. By discovering, growing, and learning about the many emotional parts of ourselves and others, we can find our Present Self.
Follow along in this conversation that connects our emotional parts of ourselves to TREE (our Present Self). As SEEDS (Self Care) and LEAVES (Belonging) communicate, we learn that our parts guide us so we can be just like a strong, healthy, and growing TREE.
Educator & Series Information
Recommended for Grades 4+
The back cover introduction and content overview inside make the books in the I Am Like a TREE series great for many learning situations. In each book are four discussion questions that focus on comprehension strategies and mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual connections. The books also provide an inquiry theme to explore and include five activity ideas for independent or group use.
This book is part of the social-emotional learning (SEL) series, I Am Like a TREE. I Am Like a TREE series consists of four titles:
I Am Like a TREE: BARK and KNOTS – A Story of Courage and Struggles
I Am Like a TREE: LEAVES and BRANCHES – A Story of Belonging and Growth
I Am Like a TREE: SEEDS and LEAVES – A Story of Self Care and Belonging
I Am Like a TREE: TRUNK and ROOTS – A Story of Self and Empathy
The TREE in this series is a metaphor for what we are calling your “Present Self”. Our belief, through personal experience, is that we as living beings have several emotional parts that make us a whole, our Present Self. Each of these parts though are not equal in their emotional experience, so, at times, different situations for an individual can be strong while at other times not. Some experiences can keep us in a frozen stage of development without knowing this and we then respond to “like type” experiences in the same way as we did in the past.
Our intention with these conversational stories in a reader’s theatre format is to provide a window into what emotional parts a person may use while having a conversation. The side margins tell all as each conversation unfolds indicating what parts of TREE the character is using. Some of these conversations are focused on the older individual trying to find a solution while the younger individual is providing support as best they can, as a solid TREE. Our intent is to imply that emotional learning is lifelong.
We hope that through these stories we will all continue to extend a hand to those who are reaching, listen to those who are speaking, and feel with an open heart to all those heartbeats that surround us. And for ourselves, love who you are, respect your own actions, and know that you deserve kindness, love and safety and that you belong here.
Additional Information
24 Pages | 8" x 8" | ISBN: 9781771745635 | Paperback
Synopsis:
Conversations are important for everyone. Some conversations can only occur when we feel understood. By talking with others, we can learn new ways to be respectful, kind, and empathetic. As we deepen our learning, we become more aware of our own actions. By discovering, growing, and learning about the many emotional parts of ourselves and others, we can find our Present Self.
Follow along in this conversation that connects our emotional parts of ourselves to TREE (our Present Self). As TRUNK (Self) and ROOTS (Empathy) communicate, we learn that our parts interconnect so we can be just like a strong, healthy, and growing TREE.
Educator & Series Information
Recommended for Grades 4+
The back cover introduction and content overview inside make the books in the I Am Like a TREE series great for many learning situations. In each book are four discussion questions that focus on comprehension strategies and mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual connections. The books also provide an inquiry theme to explore and include five activity ideas for independent or group use.
This book is part of the social-emotional learning (SEL) series, I Am Like a TREE. I Am Like a TREE series consists of four titles:
I Am Like a TREE: BARK and KNOTS – A Story of Courage and Struggles
I Am Like a TREE: LEAVES and BRANCHES – A Story of Belonging and Growth
I Am Like a TREE: SEEDS and LEAVES – A Story of Self Care and Belonging
I Am Like a TREE: TRUNK and ROOTS – A Story of Self and Empathy
The TREE in this series is a metaphor for what we are calling your “Present Self”. Our belief, through personal experience, is that we as living beings have several emotional parts that make us a whole, our Present Self. Each of these parts though are not equal in their emotional experience, so, at times, different situations for an individual can be strong while at other times not. Some experiences can keep us in a frozen stage of development without knowing this and we then respond to “like type” experiences in the same way as we did in the past.
Our intention with these conversational stories in a reader’s theatre format is to provide a window into what emotional parts a person may use while having a conversation. The side margins tell all as each conversation unfolds indicating what parts of TREE the character is using. Some of these conversations are focused on the older individual trying to find a solution while the younger individual is providing support as best they can, as a solid TREE. Our intent is to imply that emotional learning is lifelong.
We hope that through these stories we will all continue to extend a hand to those who are reaching, listen to those who are speaking, and feel with an open heart to all those heartbeats that surround us. And for ourselves, love who you are, respect your own actions, and know that you deserve kindness, love and safety and that you belong here.
Additional Information
24 Pages | 8" x 8" | ISBN: 9781771745611 | Paperback
Our logo reflects the greater Nation we live within—Turtle Island (North America)—and the strength
and core of the Pacific Northwest Coast peoples—the Cedar Tree, known as the Tree of Life. We are
here to support the building of strong nations and help share Indigenous voices.
