Overview
Key
Understanding:
Strength is in the foundation of who we are. It
is strength that helps us to survive. It is not only physical.
The gift of strength is also manifested by will, resolve,
determination, and perseverance. Strength helps us to do the
right thing. It helps us to admit we were wrong when we did not
do the right thing. We use strength in many ways and when we use
it, we increase it. A triangle is a good symbol of strength
because it has a strong base and foundation.
Objectives:
·
To recognize that each of us is born with this gift.
·
To identify ways we use this gift.
·
To understand at least a small aspect of this gift experientially.
·
To see how applying this gift can enrich our lives.
Supplies:
Pre-K – Grade 1:
The Twelve Gifts of Birth
Rousing, marching music (optional)
Treasure Chests, Treasure Cards from Lesson 1, crayons
Grades 2 - 3:
A copy of The Twelve Gifts of Birth
Treasure Chests and Treasure Cards from Lesson 1, crayons or
colored pencils
Grades 4 – 6:
A copy of The Twelve Gifts of Birth
Student Journals from Lesson 1, writing and decorating supplies
such as pencils, pens, colored pencils, crayons, stickers etc.
OPEN LESSON
Set stage for
respect, trust, and discovery. Use cue.
ENGAGE THE
LEARNER
Have students
look at the 4-page section on strength in The
Twelve Gifts of Birth. Read the text, “The first
gift is Strength. May you remember to call upon it whenever you
need it.”
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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 today we are
learning about our gift of strength. In addition to
having physical strength -- which we use when we run,
play ball, lift and carry objects -- we all have inner
strength that helps us face fears, do what is right,
admit when we make mistakes, and so on. Focus attention
on the photo of the girl getting on the school bus.
Discuss how she might be using inner strength on her
first day at school. |
Draw a word web on the
chalkboard with the word strength in the middle
of the web.
Record
student ideas about strength. Focus attention on the
photo of the girl getting on the bus. How might she be
using strength? What might she be feeling? Point out
that we all have inner strength as well as physical
strength. |
Invite students to share
their initial ideas when they hear the word strength.
Acknowledge all ideas. Focus attention on the school bus
photo, re-read the text, and ask for interpretations.
What might have happened? What might she be feeling?
Encourage discussion of the way the text and photo
demonstrate strength. Ask students to think of other
situations in which inner strength might be needed.
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DEVELOP THE IDEAS
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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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Ask children to think of a
time they used inner strength to do something they felt
was difficult. Perhaps it was getting on a bus, going to
school, taking swim lessons, getting on an amusement
park ride, or staying overnight at a friend’s house.
Help children see that there are many times when we use
our gift of strength. Point out that the more we use
strength, the more easily it comes to us. This is true
for both physical strength and inner strength.
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Ask students to recall a
time they used inner strength to face a challenge. Use
possibilities to stimulate thinking, e.g., going to
school, taking a test, flying on a plane, staying
overnight with a friend, etc. How did they feel when
they used strength? Ask them to think further of
situations in which strength might be used. Help them
see that besides facing various fears, strength is
sometimes used to help us do the right thing or admit a
mistake. Point out that using strength helps builds
greater strength. |
Invite students to reflect
and privately recall a time they called upon strength to
face a difficulty.
Help them recognize that
inner strength is used to face a wide range of
difficulties and challenges, e.g., to overcome fears,
admit mistakes and face consequences, or stand up
against peer pressure when succumbing to it would not be
the right thing to do. Provide opportunity for
volunteers to share times they might have used—or seen
others use—inner strength. |
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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Lead children in a
marching exercise. (You may wish to play rousing
marching music.) Explain that they will be using and
building physical strength as they march. Remind them
they use and build inner strength every time they face
and do something that feels difficult.
After the
march, have students find the strength card in their
treasure chest. Have them make the triangle symbol of
strength above the word, using a color that seems to
represent strength. If time allows, have children draw
a picture on the back of the card of themselves using
strength. Then have them place their card back in the
chest. |
Lead children in a
physical exercise that builds strength, such as a few
jumping jacks or running in place. Point out that when
we use physical strength (exercise) we strengthen our
bodies. Remind them that they also have inner strength
and, like physical strength, the more they use and
exercise it, the more easily it will come to them when
they need it.
Have
students make the strength symbol on the strength card,
write “I have” above the word and either decorate their
strength card or draw a picture of a time they used
inner strength. Invite volunteers to share their
drawings. |
Return the focus of the
lesson to physical strength. Ask “How do we build and
increase physical strength?” (walking, running,
swimming, etc.) Use students’ examples. Ask for ways
they have seen others or themselves build physical
strength. Explain that physical activity uses strength
and at the same time helps increase it. Point out that,
similarly, each time we use our inner strength, we help
make it more available for us the next time we need it.
Have
students write about inner strength in their journals.
They may choose to summarize thoughts and feelings,
write about a new perspective, or describe a time they
used it. |
SUMMARY
AND EVALUATION
Review what was learned about strength . If
time allows, have students share understandings. Acknowledge
that they have already been using strength and that they will
use it in many ways in the future. Remind them they will
continue to explore the use of other gifts in upcoming lessons.
CLOSE LESSON
-
Create a ceremonial sense of
having completed an important discovery. Use cue to end the
lesson.
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