My Best Me | Teacher Guide | Grade Kindergarten

My Best Me EmploysHope

Hope is the belief that the future will be better than today and that you play a role in making it possible. It is not wishful thinking. Hope allows you to identify goals you value, set pathways to achieve them, and employ the willpower to successfully complete those goals you have chosen.

My Best Me is a series of lessons designed to stimulate students to discover their true identity and purpose. My Best Me delivers hope through implementation of a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) methodology that has shown to enhance students’ cognitive competence and give them the integrated skills they need to deal effectively with daily challenges in an ethical, effective manner. My Best Me incorporates both intra- and interpersonal conversations as well as other participatory experiences into five core competencies powered by seven principles. Your investment in elevating hope will result in greater and more enthusiastic student participation, uninterrupted classroom instruction time, and a superior learning environment.

© Copyright 2021

SUMMARY: . Discover the power of hope and how it helps create a better future

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, colored cardstock paper, 1 Popsicle stick per student, ball (big enough to kick), 4 cones RESOURCES: Template: 4yu.info/?i=V59813011 Lesson 2: I Am Me! .........................................................................................................

SUMMARY: Discover that you are wonderfully made, from the inside out.

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, crafting materials (e.g. glitter glue, stickers, sequences and glue)

RESOURCES: Birthday Cake: 4yu.info/?i=V59813021

SUMMARY: Discover how the five senses allow people to collect data that helps them and keeps them safe

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, instruments or objects to make noise with for the chant

SUMMARY: Discover the many differences that exist between people

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, pictures of people living in different cultures all around the world (if digital, prepare audiovisual equipment), 1 sheet of sturdy white paper and 1 tongue depressor per student, instruments or objects to make noise with for the chant

RESOURCES: Thumbs Up: 4yu.info/?i=V59813041

Lesson 5: Faces and Feelings ..........................................................................................

SUMMARY: Discover feelings and how to read them as well as realize how important our feelings are

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, 1 paper plate and 1 brad per child, scissors, glue sticks, instruments or objects to make noise with for the chant

RESOURCES: Feeling Faces: 4yu.info/?i=V59813051 - Feel Wheel: 4yu.info/?i=V59813052

SUMMARY: Discover the value of actively paying attention as a way of learning and experiencing new things

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook writing and coloring utensils, the melody of are you sleeping, audiovisual equipment

RESOURCES: Video: 4yu.info/?i=V59813061 Link for the melody of “Are You Sleeping” or “Frere

Jacques” - Coloring page: 4yu.info/?i=V59813062 Link for coloring page

SUMMARY: Discover the place of belonging that each student has and how it supports them

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, 1 sheet of sturdy white paper per student, crafting materials (e.g. googly eyes, glitter glue, Popsicle sticks and glue)

SUMMARY: Discover that people grow and change through each stage of life

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, card stock paper to print cards on, instruments or objects to make noise with for the chant

RESOURCES: 4yu.info/?i=V59813081

Health

SUMMARY: Discover that the human body is designed to do amazing things .

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, white card stock paper, staples, crafting supplies (e.g. yarn, glitter, glue), instruments or objects to make noise with for the chant

Body Templates: 4yu.info/?i=V59813091

SUMMARY: Discover how keeping clean helps their body and is energetic and refreshing MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, audiovisual equipment

Video: 4yu.info/?i=V59813101 Link for the melody “Clean up”

SUMMARY: Discover why to choose healthy food and drink

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, 1 paper plate per student, audiovisual equipment

RESOURCES: Video: 4yu.info/?i=V59813111 Link to the melody “Mary Had a Little Lamb”Video: 4yu.info/?i=V59813112 Link to the 3 sings for the play activity

SUMMARY: Discover that it is healthy to move their body and allows them to grow and develop in all areas of their life.

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, instruments or objects to make noise with for the chant Lesson 13: I Am Careful ..................................................................................................

SUMMARY: Discover the steps to take to stay safe

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, obstacles (e.g. boxes, chairs), instruments or objects to make noise with for the chant

RESOURCES: Stoplight Template: 4yu.info/?i=V59813131

Lesson 14: I Am Thankful ................................................................................................ 38

SUMMARY: Discover how being thankful helps myself and others

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils.

RESOURCES: Thankful Coloring page: 4yu.info/?i=V59813141 - Video: 4yu.info/?i=V59813142

Thank You card: 4yu.info/?i=V59813143

Discover what a community is and how it connects people in helpful and fun ways MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, instruments or objects to make noise for the chant

SUMMARY: Discover words and actions that are kind, show respect, and are good mannered MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, audiovisual equipment

SUMMARY: Students will learn the value of working together in teams and how to do so in a fun and effective manner

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, paper, blanket (or if your school has one, a small parachute), balloon, cardstock paper, instruments or objects to make noise for the chant, audiovisual equipment

RESOURCES: Video: 4yu.info/?i=V59813171 Little Blue Truck- Puzzle: 4yu.info/?i=V59813172

SUMMARY: Students will discover fun and sincere ways to reach out to others around them

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, decorating supplies, construction paper, audiovisual equipment

RESOURCES: Video: 4yu.info/?i=V59813181 Little Spot of Kindness Video

Lesson 19: I Solve Problems ........................................................................................... 48

SUMMARY: Students will discover what problems are and how to find ways to solve problems

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, paper, masking tape, instruments or objects to make noise for the chant

Lesson 20: I Am a True Friend ........................................................................................ 50

SUMMARY: Discover the benefits of friendship and how each student can be a true friend.

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, scissors, paper plates, a ball, instruments or objects to make noise for the chant

RESOURCES: Link: 4yu.info/?i=V59813201

SUMMARY: Students will discover the great value and pleasure there is of being outdoors

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, objects from nature, glue, 1 paper plate per student, audiovisual equipment

RESOURCES: Video: 4yu.info/?i=V59813211 - We’re Going on a Nature Hunt Video Lesson

SUMMARY: Students will learn the importance of taking care of their home planet, Earth by cleaning up the mess they and others make.

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, plastic throw away gloves for the students, trash that is safe and hygienic for students to pick up (e.g. used papers, bottles, cans, wrappers, caps)

RESOURCES: Video: 4yu.info/?i=V59813221 to the melody “Clean up”

SUMMARY: Students will discover how to care for animals that are pets and why they care for them

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook,writing and coloring utensils, audiovisual equipment

RESOURCES: Video: 4yu.info/?i=V59813231 the melody of “Old McDonald”- Link: 4yu.info/?i=V59813232

SUMMARY: Students will learn to appreciate, admire, and care for plants

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, 1 paper cup per student, seeds, potting soil, a small watering can with water, instruments or objects to make noise with for the chant, audiovisual equipment

RESOURCES: Video: 4yu.info/?i=V59813241

SUMMARY: Students will learn to consider how their actions impact others and the environment.

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, green and blue child-safe paint, thick paper cut in a large circle, newspaper or other material that the art project can be set on, trash that is safe and hygienic for students to pick up (e.g. used papers, bottles, cans, wrappers, caps), paper, glue and/or tape, instruments or objects to make noise with for the chant

RESOURCES: Crow: 4yu.info/?i=V59813251- Link: 4yu.info/?i=V59813252 Caring for the earth

SUMMARY: Students will discover the differences between wants and needs and how these influence their behavior

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, a imaginary shopping cart (box or bag), audiovisual equipment

RESOURCES: Video: 4yu.info/?i=V59813261 “London Bridge”

SUMMARY: Students will learn that money is earned or given and can be used wisely

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, recyclable and crafting materials (include 1 cylinder-shaped object with 1 lid per student), thick paper, coins (fake or authentic), instruments or objects to make noise with for the chant

SUMMARY: Students will learn how things need to be cared for, if it belongs to others or themselves.

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils (including crayons), audiovisual equipment RESOURCES: Video: 4yu.info/?i=V59813281 Respect and Take Care of Things video

SUMMARY: Students will learn to work smart not hard

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, white cardstock paper cut into one 3x5 rectangle per student, 8 one-inch black paper squares per student, 1 Popsicle stick per student, glue

SUMMARY: Students will consider how to set their goals and learn how to make plans to achieve them.

MATERIALS: My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, sheets of cardstock paper, masking tape, instruments or objects to make noise with for the chant

RESOURCES: Video: 4yu.info/?i=V59813301 Dream You’ll Be video

Understanding the Icons

READ

A story, a poem, a saying, or a script that adds to the subject

UNDERSTAND

To obtain knowledge, insight, and understanding through information

OBSERVE

To look, see, find, watch, and discover more

CREATE

To paint, color, or make in a personal manner

PLAY

Engage in an experience and discovery together

WRITE

To write, mark, or sketch personal ideas or discoveries

APPLY

To bring into action, put to use, and demonstrate understanding

GIVE

A contribution, present, or surprise to share with others

ACT

A task that involves direct experience and action

COMMENT

Discuss, consider, or examine certain subjects

REFLECT

Think, ponder, meditate, or wonder about important issues

LISTEN

To learn, write, sing, or listen to a song; enjoy a harmony of sounds

CONCLUDE

A closing statement on the lesson subject with a final thought

WATCH

Watch a clip or film section and analyze the information

Materials

My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, colored cardstock paper, 1 Popsicle stick per student, ball (big enough to kick), 4 cones

Resources

Introduction Parent: 4yu.info/?i=V598540

Student Worksheet: 4yu.info/?i=V5981301

Template: 4yu.info/?i=V59813011

Motivation

Hope is the belief that life can improve in the future and that we each have the power to act for positive outcomes. Hope is not a feeling, but a mentality that inspires actions that pull a person out of where they are and moves them in the direction of where they want to go. It is possible even for young children to adopt and exercise this optimistic mentality!

To do this, students learn what goals are and how they can determine ways to achieve them. Rather than the “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!” mantra, more specifically encourage “If at first you don’t succeed, don’t stop, do it differently!” Children are capable of brainstorming different ways to solve problems, and are more likely to encounter success in doing so.

Children who use the word “try” weaken their resolve. Think of jumping, do you jump or do you try to jump? It is simple you either jump or you do not. That counts for everything we do in life. We do it! Now, we might miss or fail in the beginning, but we can reach any goals we set if we keep at it.

Since hope is often used in an abstract manner and not clearly defined, young students benefit from this lesson’s concrete comparisons, such as moving a ball into a soccer goal. Through visualizing and discussing their goals, making a sign to wave, and reinforcing the concept of hope through a physical activity, you are helping them build their hope through a social-emotional learning process.

Goal

Students will learn about the simplicity and power of hope, (setting goals, finding pathways, and building willpower) why they need it, and how they can apply it.

Pathways

Observe: Read the first two sentences out loud in an excited and animated voice. Read them again, and have students repeat after you. Your classroom would greatly benefit from an “I can do” atmosphere. Consistently reject words similar to “I can’t!” and “I don’t know how.”

Direct their attention to the pictures in the book. Ask them whether they think they can do any of these things someday. Say that with hope they can! Have them circle the ones they hope to do.

Comment: Read the first sentence and

encourage students to think and share their ideas with the class, one at a time, about other things they would like to do, learn, or experience. Read the remaining sentences in an excited manner. Ask students how they feel, knowing that hope gives them power.

Read: Ask students if they ever tried something that did not work or they were unable to do the first few times. What did they end up doing? Did they give up or keep practicing until they were able to do so? (Examples can be riding a bike, jumping rope, reading a book, etc.). Read the sentences in their textbook with them. You could rehearse with them some things they did learn by doing it over and over again (falling and getting back up, eating with a fork, etc.).

Create: Ask students what a problem is. Ask students to share examples of problems or challenges they are facing. Explain that we often want to solve problems, which is to fix them or find a way past them. Sometimes the first way does not work. Ask students what they think they should do next? They

should do it again, but do it differently! If one way does not work, they can find another way! Repeat: If at first you don’t succeed, do it again! Do it differently! Distribute the copies of the template from 4yu.info/?i=V59813011, Popsicle sticks, crayons, and glue. Point out the text on the papers and read them again. Guide students to color each paper with words. Direct them to glue them to each side of a Popsicle stick with the text facing outwards. Have the class chant the words while waving their signs.

Draw: Ask students to identify the pictures. Direct them to set their writing utensil on the ball and trace it along a path they find that leads to the goalwithout touching the cones. Ask the final question and affirm their efforts!

Play: Announce that the students will work to kick a ball into a goal for real! Have students line up behind a starting cone. Scatter other cones (or various obstacles) throughout the area and point them out as obstacles. Point out their goal (you determine it; it could be the opposite wall or a table). Guide students to go through the course one at a time, and encourage the others to watch, wave their signs and cheer for their teammate. You can also divide them into two groups that run the course simultaneously. Afterwards, have students sit down and discuss how it felt to persist until they achieved their goals.

Reflect: Read the sentences. Emphasize the power of their choices.

Willpower

Repeat the Willpower statement as a class. Remind students that HOPE is to have a goal, find a way to that goal, and keep at it until you reach that goal. Decide on hand motions that accompany it. Repeat it with the motions as a class.

Lesson 10

Materials

My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, audiovisual equipment Resources

Student Worksheet: 4yu.info/?i=V5981310

Family Engagement: 4yu.info/?i=V5981360

Video: 4yu.info/?i=V59813101 “The Clean Up Song”

Motivation

Personal hygiene is important to develop in childhood to promote lifelong health. Teaching children why keeping clean helps their lives will motivate them to practice the healthy habits they learn.

Children, especially boys, tend to think they have no time to clean themselves, because there is so much to do and they do not want to miss out on all that is happening. However, personal hygiene habits enable children to stay free from illnesses and diseases, feel more confident and comfortable, and maintain and enjoy a healthy body image.

Talking about germs is a very vague and far reached subject for children this age. Focus more on how they feel when they are bathed, how clean hands avoids “yukkie” stuff getting everywhere, how fresh their mouths feel after they brush their teeth, how wonderful their hair smells after they wash it, etc. The physical experience of cleanliness is tangible and noticeable to young children.

You could go over what their 5 senses observe when they have cleaned themselves and when they observe others who have cleaned themselves.

Continue to reinforce the concepts in this lesson throughout the school year by reminding them to wash their hands, keep their clothes clean, and avoid unsanitary actions.

Goal

Students will learn how keeping clean helps their bodies and is an overall wonderful experience.

Pathways

Observe: This activity establishes the lesson concept with common hygiene activities that students are likely already aware of. After everyone is on the same page about what actions can be taken to be clean, they are ready to learn why they should take those actions. Read the lines, and direct students to draw lines connecting the activities with their tools.

Act: The students will hear about common place activities that lead to messes and draw them on the character at the bottom of the page. The purpose

is to show that messes are common, but they can be followed with actions that clean them up. Read each line to the students and give them time to color as instructed. Ask students if they have made similar messes before. Ask them how they cleaned up those messes.

Comment: Read one line at a time (with rhythmic clapping, instrumental music, and/or hand motions), and have the students repeat it.

Give students an opportunity to answer the question “How can Adam clean up right?” before proceeding to the next paragraph. Ask students how often they do actions like this. Ask them how they feel afterwards. Highlight the benefits of good hygiene for everyone.

Play: The students will have the opportunity to act out important hygiene actions. Call up a student and whisper an action in his or her ear (e.g. brush your teeth, take a shower, clip your toenails, comb your hair, wash your face). Tell him or her to act out the action.

Direct the rest of the class to imitate the action and then guess it. Congratulate the student who guesses it correctly. Continue this way until each student has an opportunity to act or guess what their classmates presented.

Listen - Sing: Ask the students if they know the “Clean-Up Song”. Sing it together or have it played for them to hear (4yu.info/?i=V59813101). Explain that they will sing new words to the same tune, words that remind them to clean themselves. Sing it for them to hear. Accompany the song with clapping or hand motions as desired. Sing the song line by line, and have students echo each line. Finally, sing the whole song together.

Reflect: Tell the students that they can think about how well they keep themselves clean each day. If they are not doing well, they can make changes and improve in the future. If they are doing well, they can keep up the good work! Guide them to circle faces that represent their performance.

Willpower

Ask students to describe what clean is to them. Repeat the Willpower statement as a class. Decide on hand motions that accompany it. Repeat it with the motions as a class.

Lesson 18

Materials

My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, decorating supplies, construction paper, audiovisual equipment Resources

Student Worksheet: 4yu.info/?i=V5981318

Family Engagement: 4yu.info/?i=V5981358

Video: 4yu.info/?i=V59813181A Little Spot of Kindness Video

Motivation

Teaching young children to act out of kindness is a foundational skill. Kindness allows them to express love and respect to others, and benefits their relationships, present and future. However, kindness does not only benefit the receiver. Being kind has a powerful positive impact on the individual who is kind.

Benefits of kindness include increasing overall happiness levels, improved health and less stress, a greater sense of belonging, improved self-esteem, increased feelings of gratitude, better concentration due to overall increased well-being, less bullying, and reduced depression.

The tremendous impact of kindness should be a great motivation for communal effort in promoting kindness all the time. Kindness transforms any learning environment because of increased camaraderie, greater understanding and care between students, and a safe, fun place to grow and learn.

Kindness is learned by example and should become the nature of each of your students. When you see unkind behavior in your classroom, you can change the spin. Instead of correcting the student for how they behave, stop them and ask them to start over and do whatever they were doing or saying in a kind way. If it is difficult for them to come up with an idea, ask another student to show how to do and say things in a kind manner.

Goal

Students will discover fun and sincere ways to show care for others.

Pathways

Understand: Instruct your students to circle the kind actions. Explain how kindness allows them to express love and respect to others. Read the list of benefits they will receive when they help others to emphasize that helping others will also help themselves.

If ever it crosses a student’s mind that some people are just not nice and do not deserve kind treatment, these personal benefits for being kind should be a wonderful motivation to still be kind, no matter what.

Watch: Play the video for all students to see. Ask comprehension questions. Allow students to ask questions and make comments. Play a second time for reinforcement purposes, as desired.

Comment: Read the comprehension question based on the previous video viewing. Discuss the students’ thoughts. Emphasize the value of care, and how it impacts others’ lives.

Play: Tell students that they will play a special version of “Duck, Duck, Goose!” This helps them practice asking for and offering help.

All the students, except the first person who is “it”, sit in a circle. The “it” student walks around the circle, tapping each player on the head, saying “duck” each time until they decide to tap someone and say “I need you!” That student must shout “I will help you!” in response to being selected and run after the student that is “it”, trying to tag them before they can run around the circle of students and take the selected student’s seat. If the “it” student is able to reach the

selected student’s seat without being tagged, the selected student is the new “it”. If the selected student tags the “it” student, then the selected student keeps his spot in the circle and the “it” student must either continue to be “it” for another turn or sit in the middle of the circle until another student is selected to be “it”.

Create: Help your students practice kindness and show love by creating a heart.

Pass out a piece of paper to each student. Instruct the class to do the following:

1. Fold the piece of paper in half.

2. Draw a half-heart shape along the folded edge of the paper.

3. Cut the heart out.

4. Decorate the paper heart. Tell the students to hold onto the heart and give it to someone who helps them, and thank them for being kind.

Reflect: Read the questions. Give students time to think, and raise their hands when they think of a personal example they can describe to the class. Share fitting examples yourself, as needed.

Willpower

Ask students if they think their classmates should always be kind. If yes then have them understand they themselves should always be kind. Repeat the Willpower statement as a class. Decide on hand motions that accompany it. Repeat it with the motions as a class.

Lesson 21

Materials

My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils, objects from nature, glue, 1 paper plate per student, audiovisual equipment

Resources

Student Worksheet: 4yu.info/?i=V5981321

Family Engagement: 4yu.info/?i=V5981371

Video: 4yu.info/?i=V59813211 We’re Going on a Nature Hunt Video

Motivation

Being outdoors fosters children’s intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development. It is recommended that children spend at least 60 minutes outdoors each day. Although children are not always the decision-makers concerning whether they are outdoors or not, instilling motivation to be outdoors increases this likelihood.

When a child is out in nature, all the senses are activated and he/she is immersed in something bigger than him/ herself. Being in nature also promotes creativity and imagination through unstructured play, it teaches responsibility by showing consequences of their actions on living things, it promotes physical movement and the ability to harmonize with their environment, it reduces stress and fatigue, and provides Vitamin D, fresh air, and many other health benefits.

Many students are not getting enough time out in nature despite many studies that show its host of benefits. The levels of engagement and convenience that “screens” provide in addition to students’ obligations to study are a few factors that are keeping children inside more than ever. This lesson not only motivates students to seek more opportunities to be outside but assists them to recognize more ways to enjoy the outdoors

Goal

Students will discover the value and pleasure of being outdoors.

Pathways

Observe: Read the Observe section aloud as a class. Instruct the students to circle the places they have been to before and allow them to share their experiences and adventures.

Ask students what are things they can see in nature, things they can hear, smell, taste, and touch. How does it smell after it rains? What is their experience with lightening and thunder? Do they like to feel the warmth of the sun?

Watch: Play the video from 4yu.

info/?i=V59813211 for all students to see. Ask comprehension questions. Allow students to ask questions and make comments. Play a second time for reinforcement purposes as desired. Have students connect what they observed in the video with their own experiences.

Comment: Read the comprehension questions based on the previous video viewing. Discuss the students’ thoughts. Emphasize the value of spending time in nature.

Play: Play “I Spy”. You can play this game outside or show a picture of nature. Select a student to go first by choosing the youngest person, or the person whose name starts with the first letter of the color you are looking for. Students will take turns finding things that correspond with the provided colors. This does not need to be a competitive game. Encourage your students to have fun exploring and finding beauty in nature.

You could also use this activity as a preparation

for the work of art they will be creating in the next segment. As they are outside have them collect natural items in bags or carton boxes for their creative moment of making something from what nature provides.

Create: Instruct your students to create a picture by gluing things from nature onto a paper plate. Picture ideas your students can make are faces, butterflies, trees, birds, nests, hearts or mosaics. Allow the students to be creative and have fun with this project. Give opportunities to share their creations.

Reflect: Ask the students to repeat the Reflect statement as a class. Ask the class for volunteers to share their favorite thing to do outside.

Ask students if they like being outside. If so, how can they spend more time outside. If not, what can they do to overcome their resistence and make being outside a fun experience. Assure them that being outside is very healthy for them.

Willpower

Repeat the Willpower statement as a class. Decide on hand motions that accompany it. Repeat it with the motions as a class.

Materials

My Best Me textbook, writing and coloring utensils (including crayons), audiovisual equipment

Resources

Student Worksheet: 4yu.info/?i=V5981328

Family Engagement: 4yu.info/?i=V5981378

Video: 4yu.info/?i=V59813281 Respect and Take Care of Things video

Motivation

Our society is one where you can buy anything you want, whenever you want it. In some sense this has caused a devaluation of things in general and the tendency not to take care of things to the extent that we could at times.

Children learn by watching the adults in their lives, and when they observe how we treat the things around us and with what ease we purchase and dispose of things, a message is sent and received that things have little to no value, and it does not really matter if those things belong to others.

By the time children reach kindergarten they are usually familiar with being told to share and not to take what is not theirs. These basics of respecting ownership, as well as being generous and patient when it comes to taking turns with community items or resources, are important to build upon as children’s social, emotional and cognitive development increases. Children need to learn to share so they can make and keep friends, play cooperatively, take turns, negotiate and cope with disappointment. Sharing teaches children about compromise and fairness. They learn that if we give a little to others, we can get some of what we want too. Practicing sharing and taking proper care of items that they are responsible for develops their value for others and for things they have the opportunity to use. Children are also more motivated to exercise stewardship when they understand the value it brings to their environment, such as that things stay in better condition, it causes their authorities to entrust them with more, and it helps them maintain orderly and functional spaces.

Goal

Students will discover how to respect ownership and to care for their own and others’ belongings.

Pathways

Observe: Read the Observe section to the class. Ask students to think of some things they share with others and things they do not share. Call on students to share. Point out that they should take proper care of their personal things, as well as the things they share. Ask how we take care of important items. Have students brainstorm and call on them to answer.

Draw: Instruct your students to circle the things that belong to them personally. Allow the students to discuss what makes the items different.

Ask them why taking care of the things that they own is important. Ask the same about things they share and things they borrow from others. Emphasize how things stay in better condition longer when we care for them, and how others feel respected when we take care of their things.

Watch: Play the video for all students to see. Allow students to ask questions, such as “How did the girl take care of her pencils?” and “What actions helped take care of the park?” Play the video a second time for reinforcement purposes, as desired.

Comment: Ask comprehension questions. Allow students to ask questions and come up with solutions for taking care of different things. Optional: Give examples of commonplace things that can be taken care of at home (dishes that need to be washed, clothes that need to be folded, toothbrushes that need to be rinsed, beds that need to be made, and toys that need to be picked up and set in their places). Have students do motions that act out each one.

Concerning their care for “other people’s” things, students should really learn the concept that caring for stuff that is not theirs should be better, because if something happens to it they might have to replace what was damaged or broken.

Act: Divide the classroom into smaller groups. Read each situation out loud, and give each team time to think of solutions. Ask each team to demonstrate the solution they thought of with words and motions, or simply act out with motions, in front of the class.

Create: Give each student one crayon, but different colors to each student. Ask them to color in one line of the rainbow. Once everyone has colored in one line, ask them what other colors they need to finish the rainbow. Instruct them to find a friend with the crayon they need and ask them for it properly. Ask the students to keep trading crayons until their rainbow is complete.

Reflect: Ask the students to repeat the Reflect statement as a class. Ask the class for volunteers to give examples of times they shared something with a friend, or took proper care of something. Offer positive reinforcement for this by having the whole class clap after each example.

Willpower

Repeat the Willpower statement as a class. Decide on hand motions that accompany it. Repeat it with the motions as a class.