ENGAGE
THE LEARNER
Slowly read The Twelve Gifts of Birth, showing the
pictures.
| Pre
K – Grade 1
|
Grades
2 – 3
|
Grades
4 – 6
|
| Explain that the gifts in this book are not like gifts we receive for a
birthday or holiday. We can’t see them in the usual way, but they are real and
powerful. We can see how we use them. Briefly
discuss imagination. Take a few moments and help children realize that everyday they
pretend in many ways. Ask for examples. They may pretend that their toys are real or that
they have invisible friends. |
Encourage discussion of the overall message.
Ask students if the beginning of the book reminded them of any fairy tales they have
heard. Sleeping Beauty is the most well known
tale in which fairy godmothers show up at the birth of a royal child.
Ask if one particular gift seemed most
important to them? Did they have a favorite? |
Invite responses and reactions to the story. Ask if the opening reminded
them of any famous fairy tales.
Ask if one particular gift seemed
especially important. Point out that there is not one right answer nor are there wrong answers to that question. All the gifts are
important, valuable, and powerful. Acknowledge that although we can’t see these gifts
in the usual way, we can see how we use them. |
DEVELOP
THE IDEAS
| Pre
K – Grade 1
|
Grades
2 – 3
|
Grades
4 – 6
|
| Help them understand that when they pretend they are using the gift of
imagination. Explain that all the gifts are like treasures within them. In future lessons,
they will be learning more about each of the treasures. Establish your ground rules for
respectful behavior during these lessons and introduce the cue you will be using to open
and close each lesson. |
Acknowledge that these twelve gifts are not
like presents we receive for a birthday or holiday. We can’t see these gifts in the
usual way, but we can see how we use them. As an
example, help students see that they indeed
have the gift of imagination. They use it every day when they pretend things. Encourage
them to name a few ways they pretend. Explain that all the gifts are like treasures within
them to help them live well and that they will be learning more about all the gifts in
future lessons. Establish your ground rules. Introduce cue. |
Use imagination as an example. Help students
recognize ways they use it when they pretend, daydream, make movies in their minds when
they read and hear stories, and visualize the future. Explain that these gifts are like
valuable treasures within them and that in future lessons they will discover more about
each of their gifts. Begin to create a respectful, receptive atmosphere for future
lessons. Set ground rules for these short but special times of discovery. Introduce your
cue for opening and closing each lesson. |
EXPERIENCE
AND APPLY THE LEARNING
| Pre
K – Grade 1
|
Grades
2 – 3
|
Grades
4 – 6
|
Making
a Treasure Chest
To hold reminders of each gift, have
children make their own treasure chests. Have each child decorate a pencil box, shoebox,
or any other readily available container. Have each child put his or her name on the
outside and a photo of oneself on the inside lid. When treasure chests are completed, give
each child a set of 12 cards to place in their treasure chest. These cards will be used in
each of the Basic Lessons as children explore the 12 gifts.
Opening
Activity Sheets 1 and 2 |
Making
a Treasure Chest
To hold reminders of each gift, have
students make their own treasure chests. Have each student decorate a pencil box, shoebox,
or any other readily available container. Have each student put his or her name on the
outside and a photo of himself or herself on the inside lid. When treasure chests are
completed, give each student a set of 12 cards to place in their treasure chest. These
cards will be used in each of the Basic Lessons as students explore the 12 gifts.
Opening
Activity Sheets 1 and 2 |
Making
a Journal
Provide students with materials to assemble
their own Twelve Gifts Discovery Book. These
journal-like books will be used in each of the coming lessons and will be theirs to keep
and reflect upon in the future. |
SUMMARY
AND EVALUATION
If time allows, have students share further thoughts and feelings
about the message of The Twelve Gifts of Birth. Remind them they
will be exploring the use of all the gifts in upcoming lessons.
CLOSE LESSON - Create a ceremonial sense of having completed an important discovery. Use your chosen cue to end the lesson.
|
