Summary

What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick is a light-hearted and impactful story that illustrates how seemingly small actions—if repeated by everyone—can lead to big consequences. Whether it’s throwing gum on the sidewalk or talking out of turn, the book prompts students to consider how their choices affect the world around them, helping foster awareness, responsibility, and community-minded habits. imagineerz-learning.com+8kidtimestorytime.com+8teacherspayteachers.com+8

Comprehension Questions

To guide students through the story’s meaning and encourage deeper thinking, consider these Bloom’s Taxonomy-inspired questions:

• Remembering: What did the characters do in the story that was a poor choice?

• Understanding: Why would things get messy if everyone behaved the same way?

• Applying: Can you think of a small action you do every day—what would happen if everyone did it?

• Analyzing: Which scenario from the book surprised you the most? Why?

• Evaluating: Do you think the characters understood the impact of their actions? Explain.

• Creating: Imagine a new scenario—for example, “What if everybody always cleaned up after themselves?” Draw or write how that would change your school or community.

CASEL Discussion Questions

Incorporate these questions to help students connect the story to SEL competencies:

• Self-Awareness: Have you ever done something small that turned into a bigger problem?

• Self-Management: What can you do when you notice a habit you’d like to change?

• Social Awareness: How would it feel if everyone made kind choices every day?

• Relationship Skills: Why is it important to remind or support each other to make good choices?

• Responsible Decision-Making: What habit can you commit to today that would help our classroom or school be better?

Hands-On Challenge

Turn understanding into action by creating a visual or interactive project:

Design a “Ripple Change” Project

1. Understand — Read What If Everybody Did That? with students and talk about how individual choices can ripple outward.

2. Ideate — Ask students: “Which positive habit, if practiced by everyone, could improve our classroom, school, or community?”

3. Prototype — Have students design posters, skits, infographics, or video messages showing the ripple effect of that habit (e.g., picking up trash, offering a greeting, doing a helpful deed).

4. Test & Present — Display creations in the classroom, hallway, or digital space. Let students share:

   • What habit they chose.

   • Why it matters if everyone does it.

   • How it might change their environment.

5. Reflect — Encourage students to share via a class discussion or written entry how it feels to promote positive habits—and identify real-life moments when they saw those ripples in action.

In Conclusion

Just like a pebble causes ripples in a pond, one student’s choice can set off a wave of behavior—positive or negative. What If Everybody Did That? beautifully illustrates how our small actions add up, especially when others follow suit. This read-aloud offers a perfect springboard for discussions, creative expression, and building an empowered, emotionally aware learning community.

Read Aloud

If you appreciated getting to read this book with your class, you might also want to share this book with them!

Additional Resources

• • What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick on Better World Books

Copyright Notice

The image on this page comes from the book What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick