Overview
Key
Understanding:
Joy is a sense of delight and
well-being. We all have it within us. We are often aware
of it when we are laughing and having fun.
But, even in
sad or challenging times, joy is available to us. In those
times, we are more likely to have a soft, quiet experience
of joy rather than a loud, energetic one. Joy is always
within us regardless of what is going on outside of us.
The shining sun is a good symbol for joy. It is bright and
delightful. When clouds cover it, it is still there.
Sometimes our own joy shines brightly; sometimes it does
not; but it is always there.
Objectives:
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To recognize that each of
us is born with this gift.
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To identify ways we use
this gift.
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To understand at least a
small aspect of this gift experientially.
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To see how applying this
gift can enrich our lives.
Supplies:
Pre-K – Grade 1:
A copy of The Twelve
Gifts of Birth
Treasure Chests, Treasure Cards from Lesson
1, crayons
A surprise created by you, perhaps using
bubbles, an entertaining guest such as a balloon artist,
author, or dog. (See lesson for ideas.)
Grades 2 – 3:
A copy of The Twelve
Gifts of Birth
Treasure Chests and Treasure Cards from
Lesson 1, crayons or colored pencils
A surprise created by you. (See lesson for
ideas.)
Grades 4 – 6:
A copy of The Twelve
Gifts of Birth
Student journals from Lesson 1
A surprise created by you. (See lesson for
ideas.)
OPEN LESSON
Set stage for respect, trust, and discovery. Use cue.
ENGAGE THE
LEARNER
Have
students look at the 4-page section on joy in
The Twelve Gifts of Birth. Read the text, “The
sixth gift is Joy. May it keep your heart open and filled
with light.”
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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 joy. Showing
the class the “clapping hands” and “bubbles” photos,
ask students how the children in the photographs are
feeling. Explain that these happy, good feelings are
all a part of joy. We all are born with the
gift of joy within us. Explain that even during sad
times, this gift of joy is still inside of us.
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Invite students to
name things and situations that help them feel joy.
Encourage them with prompts to expand their thinking
to include numerous examples, such as seeing a
rainbow, spotting the first robin in the spring,
running, riding on bicycles and feeling the wind,
smelling fresh cut grass, being with a best friend,
playing in the ocean, a lake, or a pool, hearing
birds sing, smelling pizza, the first (or last) day
of school, and so on. |
Point out that joy is
sometimes experienced in fun, energetic ways, as the
photos depict, and sometimes in soft, quiet ways.
Invite students to
recall things and situations that have made them
feel joyful when they were younger. Ask: “What made
you happy? What made you laugh?” Ask students to
consider things that bring out joy in them now.
Brainstorm. Be expansive. Consider many situations.
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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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Invite children to
talk about times they feel joyful and things that
make them feel happy, such as playing games, being
with people they love, singing, dancing, seeing a
rainbow, spotting the first robin in the spring, the
first day of school, the last day of school,
birthdays, holidays, seeing puppies and kittens,
surprises. Explain that the nice feeling of joy is
increased when we feel grateful for all the people
and things that make us happy. |
Point out that
appreciation and gratitude increases our joy.
Explain that when we stop and notice people or
situations that help us feel happy, we feel even
more happiness.
Explain that even
during sad times, joy is still within us. We can
feel a quiet joy during difficult times. Noticing
beauty in nature, the kindness of others, and being
kind to others can help us experience joy in sad
times.
Joy helps us to be
healthy and strong. Laughter is good medicine, as is
quiet joy. |
Notice that some of
the things named are likely to be experienced with
fun and laughter while others are experienced in a
softer way.
Help students see that
with both “loud” joy and “quiet” joy, we have an
open feeling in our hearts. Point out that gratitude
increases joy.
Explain that joy is
always within us, even during sad and difficult
times. Discuss how we might open our hearts and tap
into joy during such times, such as hearing birds
sing, the affection shown by pets, a listening
friend, doing a kind deed. Point out that joy is
good for health. |
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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Surprise the children
in some way that brings joy! Have an impromptu
indoor snack party or an outdoor bubble-blowing
party. Or, bring in an entertaining guest, such as
a balloon artist, author, or a therapy dog who has
been trained to work with children. After the
surprise, have children find the joy card in their
treasure chest. Have them make the joy symbol above
the word, using the color that seems to best
represent joy. Have them place their card back in
the chest. |
Surprise the children
in a way that is likely to bring forth joy.
Consider the ideas suggested for both younger and
older students, such as have an impromptu party,
bring in an entertaining guest, or cancel a test.
Have
students make the joy symbol on their joy card,
write “I have” above the word and further decorate
their card or depict an experience of joy on it in a
creative way of their choosing. |
Surprise students in a
way that is likely to bring joy. You might consider
canceling a quiz, having a pizza party, bringing in
an entertaining guest, arranging a visit from a
loving therapy dog. Considering doing something that
is fun for them (and you!) within the limits
of your available time and resources.
After the surprise,
have students write about joy in their journals. |
SUMMARY AND
EVALUATION
Review what
was learned about
joy.
If time allows, have students share understandings.
Acknowledge that they have already been using joy 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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