Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE

The LEAGUE

Compliments and Feelings
Lesson 2:
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Lesson
Handouts
Academic Standards
Philanthropy Framework

Purpose:

The purpose of this lesson is to engage students in an activity where compliments are given and received and to discuss the feelings that arise from both situations.

Duration:

30-60 minutes

Objectives:

The learner will:

  • define "compliment" by giving a compliment to another student.
  • state how they felt when giving and receiving a compliment.
  • complete a paper plate face showing how their face looked when giving and receiving a compliment.

Materials:

  • Mirror
  • Paper plates
  • Crayons (or markers or paint)
  • Large blank chart paper

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:
Comment on artwork or other student work that is displayed in the classroom. Point out specific items and make explicit complimentary comments.
(Example: "I like the way Jeff painted this rainbow, the colors are so bright and pretty." or " I like the way that Sue wrote her name, all the letters are sitting on the line.")

  • Explain that people feel good when they are told nice things about themselves and that the class is going to practice saying nice things to each other.

  • Explain that these statements are called "compliments."

  • Model the desired behavior giving specific compliments such as "Susan, you make beautiful pictures" rather than "You are nice."

  • Call each student to the front, individually.

  • Compliment the student, then ask other students to raise their hand if they wish to give a compliment to the student.

  • Elicit two to four compliments for each child. Help the activity along when it is needed.
    (Example: If a child has a problem forming the wording of the compliment, prompt with phrases such as "I like it when you…")

  • Ask the student who is receiving the compliments to look into the mirror.

  • Ask student to describe his or her own facial expression.

  • Ask the students who are giving the compliments to look into the mirror and describe their facial expression.

  • Lead discussion concerning how the students felt when they were receiving a compliment.

  • List responses on large blank chart paper.

  • Discuss how students felt when they were giving a compliment.

  • List responses on large blank piece of chart paper.

  • Distribute paper plates and drawing materials (crayons, paint, markers, etc.).

  • Ask students to draw the way their face looked when they received a compliment. Allow them to look into the mirror, if they wish.

  • Ask students to flip the plate over and draw the way their face looked when they gave a compliment. Allow them to look into the mirror if they wish.

Assessment:

  • Teacher observation: Teacher will note whether children were able to give a compliment to classmates.
  • Examine paper plates for appropriate illustration.
  • Compare face in mirror with plate, they should match.

Extension:

Language Arts Extension Activity:
Ask each student what their favorite compliment was and write it down for them in their journals. Students who wish to attempt to copy the words should be encouraged and complimented.

Art Connection:

Students will make a face on both sides of a paper plate.

Lesson Developed and Piloted by:

Janice Peterson
Detroit Public Schools
Woodward Elementary School
Detroit, MI 48208

Handouts:

Philanthropy Framework:

Comments

Lorraine, Educator – Dearborn, MI11/18/2006 1:19:20 PM

Oh my, what a simple activity with so much learned. I used this with my 2 children (homeschooled) and it was not to complex for my 5yr old and not so "Silly Simple" for my 12 yr old. We enjoyed this. We expecially liked that we were able to see ourselves in deeper way. My oldest is going through the tween age now and is very excited to see how she acts (in all ways). How different it is when we can focus on ourselves it not be in a selfish way and we can learn from it. Thanks!!

Margaret, Teacher – Muskegon, MI9/23/2007 10:21:15 PM

The positive aspect of this lesson was younger children working with older children as in a family setting.

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