Overview
Key
Understanding:
Each of
us is born with inherent capacities (gifts) to help us
live well.
These gifts include: Strength, Beauty,
Courage, Compassion, Hope, Joy, Talent, Imagination,
Reverence, Wisdom, Love, and Faith.
Objectives:
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To have children begin to see that, no matter who they
are, they have inherent gifts within them.
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To
stimulate enthusiasm for learning more about their gifts.
Supplies:
Pre-K – Grade
1:
A copy of
The Twelve Gifts of Birth
A pencil box, shoe box or other container that lends itself
to becoming a treasure chest.
Decorating materials, such as crayons, construction paper
and glue, and/or paint.
A photo of each child.
A set of Twelve Gifts Treasure Cards for each child
Opening Lesson Activity Sheets
Grades 2 - 3:
A copy of
The Twelve Gifts of Birth
A pencil box, shoe box or other container that lends itself
to becoming a treasure chest.
Decorating materials, such as crayons, construction paper
and glue, and/or paint.
A photo of each child.
A set of Twelve Gifts Treasure Cards for each child.
Opening Lesson Activity Sheets
Grades 4 – 6:
A copy of
The Twelve Gifts of Birth
Materials for each child to assemble a 12 page journal (or
longer). Paper can simply be folded and stapled to form a
booklet or full-sized sheets can be bound with yarn through
holes made with a hole puncher. When books are assembled
and bound, students can decorate and personalize their
covers, perhaps using the icons for each of the twelve
gifts.
OPEN LESSON
Set stage for respect, trust, and
discovery. Use cue.
ENGAGE THE LEARNER
Slowly read The
Twelve Gifts of Birth, showing the pictures.
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Pre K – Grade 1
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Grades 2 – 3
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Grades 4 – 6
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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.
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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?
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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
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Pre K - Grade 1 |
Grades 2 - 3 |
Grades 4 - 6 |
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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
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Pre K – Grade 1
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Grades 2 – 3
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Grades 4 – 6
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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
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Create a ceremonial sense
of having completed an important discovery. Use your chosen
cue to end the lesson.
