The Giving Tree

I have just re-discovered how much I love the book, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. This book highlights the importance of giving to others. Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, it seemed like the perfect time for our kindergarten, first, and third grades to realize what an impact giving has on others. In The Giving Tree, the tree gives everything she has to a boy that comes and visits her. The tree does not receive anything in return but, instead, gives out of the kindness of her heart.

After we read this book in kindergarten, the kindergarteners paired up to share ways they can be giving to others. I heard wonderful examples of their giving spirits! The students then had the opportunity to color a worksheet about a time they were giving to others and how it made them feel. These students really understood the value of giving to those who are less fortunate. I was so proud of them!

This kindergartener drew a picture of her giving a blanket to someone who was cold. It made her feel happy to give to others! 

After we read this book in first grade, the first graders had a chance to think of ways they can be giving to others. Some great examples were giving money to a charity, giving food to the hungry, sharing with classmates and friends, donating clothes to the needy, and donating old toys to kids who may not have any. What wonderful and giving students we have here at Gracemor! The first graders make their own giving tree by putting examples of giving to others on each of the apples.

This was my example of how I can show compassion to others.

This was a first grader's work. He did a great job!

The third graders also had the opportunity to think of ways that they can give to others. Instead of making trees, the third graders were placed in five different groups. Each group was given a scenario to act out, which demonstrated compassion and kindness. The five scenarios were:

1.   Doing something kind for someone else even when it is not convenient for you.

2.   Comforting someone who is sad or lonely.

3.   Caring about someone who needs help.

4.   Caring about family.

5.  Caring about the earth.

We have some great actors in third grade! This was a fun and interactive way for the students to practice being kind to others. Our Gracemor students really showed how compassionate and giving they are to others. I was so impressed by each and every student!

The Bullied Victim's Perspective

In first grade, we have continued our discussion about bullying. At the beginning of the lesson, I read the book, Weird! by Erin Frankel. What a relevant book from the perspective of the victim (Luisa). The bully, Sam, constantly calls everything Luisa does, “weird.” Luisa reacts to the bullying by withdrawing and hiding her true colors (polka dots). With the help of her parents, teachers, classmates, and friend, Luisa reclaims her true colors and love for polka dots.

This book was a great starting point on the activity that followed from Kirsten Muller and savvyschoolcounselor.com. The first graders were given a white sheet of paper and were instructed to write their names on the center. They were then given three colorful polka dots on which they wrote three things they like about themselves. This activity was so cute and turned out to be really fun!

We have also continued our discussion about bullying in third grade. To begin the lesson this week, I showed the third graders a fun and informational video about bullying. The link to this video is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcFICCVWliY

The message of the video is how to recognize and prevent bullying. Bullying is one-sided, on purpose, repeated, and hurtful. These details have been discussed at length so that every student can recognize and prevent bullying behaviors.

After the video was shown, the students completed a “Five Ways to Handle a Bully” worksheet by cutting out each tip and pasting it onto a traced hand. The five tips are as follows:

1.     Stand up straight and say, “leave me alone.”

2.     Stay calm. Just say, “Okay” to everything they say until they get bored and go away.

3.     Talk to a teacher, grown-up, parent, or friend.

4.     Hold your hand out and say, “Seriously, stop.”

5.     Move away to a crowded area, one with lots of people.

By doing this activity, the students were able to reinforce what they already knew while also using a more hands-on and visual learning approach.

Have a great rest of your week! :)