Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE
The LEAGUE
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Unit Overview:
In this unit, students see the world through the eyes of an ant. Through interaction with literature, music and movement, children gain an understanding of respect for themselves and others. Students share their artistic understanding of community and respect with a children’s hospital or other local nonprofit.
Unit Purpose:
The purpose of this unit is to teach students to see the world from another’s point of view and to recognize the importance of respect.
What is the meaning of respect and how do you show respect for others?
Unit Objectives:
The learner will:
- illustrate an event from an ant’s point of view.
- predict and reflect on the outcome of the story.
- express ways to show respect for others.
- role-play story actions and cooperative behaviors in the classroom.
- compare the likenesses and differences between him/herself and others.
- represent him/herself artistically on a full-body cut out.
- dictate a sentence or phrase about friendship, respect or caring.
- recognize the value of sharing his/her artwork with another community of children.
- recall and simulate the ways in which various animals and people move.
- express feelings and favorite ways to move.
- verbalize ways to show respect for self and others while appreciating music.
Service Experience:
Lesson Two: Antsy for Others – The service learning project will entail the teacher contacting a local facility (children’s hospital, daycare or adult-care facility) and displaying the completed full-body cutouts in a hallway or gathering room. The students will dictate comments to be hung on or next to their artwork. The comments may be about friendship, respect or community (topic chosen by the teacher). The students may visit the facility or discuss the value of sharing their artwork with the residents.
The full-body cutouts will be displayed hand to hand in a symbol of unity and friendship.
Unit Assessment:
Teacher observation of student participation in lessons and activities.
School/Home Connection:
"Copy-and-Paste" Class/School Newsletter Information Insert:
What would it be like to see the world from the perspective of an ant? Through interactions with literature, art and music, we will be taking a look at the world as others see it. Our goal is to understand the importance of respect and cooperation in our community. The students will be making life-size self-portraits and displaying them in a local ___________________ to spread the message of respect and friendship.
Interactive Parent / Student Homework:
Lesson One: Ants Have Feelings, Too! – Ask families to provide examples of how they show respect to each other at home. (See Lesson One, Attachment One: Family Letter.) When the examples come back to school, let the students tell the class about it. Then discuss whether they have the same, or similar, examples in other homes.
Lesson Two: Anty-Bodies – Invite families to help on the day that students color their body outlines. As an alternative, send the outlines home to be colored at home.
If you choose to have the students visit the site where the artwork is displayed, ask family members to help with the fieldtrip. A family letter is provided on Lesson Two, Attachment One.
State Curriculum and Philanthropy Theme Frameworks:
See individual lessons for benchmark detail.
Lessons Developed and Piloted By:
Kathy Bacon
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Ken-O-Sha Early Childhood Campus
1353 VanAuken
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Lea Ebels
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Ken-O-Sha Early Childhood Campus
1353 VanAuken
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Tammy Johnson
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Ken-O-Sha Early Childhood Campus
1353 VanAuken
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.