Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Purpose:
Introduces the idea of sharing in a situation where there is a scarcity of resources. Exposes students to the concept of tolerance of differences. Increases listening comprehension and the use of critical thinking skills.
Duration:
One Thirty-Minute Class Period
Objectives:
The learner will:
- note details from the pictures.
- identify and compare examples of tolerant and intolerant behavior based on the events of the book.
- identify colors and match them with color words.
- share candy given to groups.
Service Experience:
Divide the children into three groups. Give each group a small packet of M&Ms pre-sorted by color. Have the students put their candy into one large bowl and each take the piece that they want.
Materials:
- The Land of Many Colors (see Bibliographic References).
- Manipulatives
- Color cards and color words
- Candy to be shared
Synopsis:
The book The Land of Many Colors is about groups of people who are each a different color. They have pets, food, and toys that match their color and they do not use anything that is a different color. One day they realized they were running out of supplies of their own color, and yet they still contended their own was the best. A fight broke out and the outcome was a child whose color was obscured by a covering of dust. He asked why they were fighting, and told them that they should all live together and be friends.
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Hold up at least three identical objects except for color (blocks or toy balls could be used). Ask the children to name the colors and indicate their choice. Point out that while they may have a preference, each color has no relationship to its function.
- Hold up a color printout of the cover of the book The Land of Many by the Klamath County YMCA Family Preschool. Activate prior knowledge by asking children to describe what they see.
- Read the book to the class. Ask the students to identify colors and to name some of the objects on each page.
- Have the children identify examples of intolerant behavior.
- Select six volunteers. Ask them to close their eyes and hold out one hand and place the other behind their back. Place a colored circle of construction paper in the hand behind their back that matches the color of the M&M in their front hand. Their eyes still closed, ask them to eat their M&M and tell everyone what color they thought it was. Then ask them to open their eyes and show the construction paper color. Emphasize that outward appearance of this candy makes little difference to its taste. Help students make the connection between this experiment, the story, and the community. Repeat the activity if desired.
- Ask students to identify examples of tolerant behavior.
- Ask why the different groups listened to the dust-covered child and were willing to accept what he said. This is an open-ended question and may have more than one correct answer. Make positive connections to real life.
Assessment:
Students should be able to recall story details and explain why some behaviors in the story were inappropriate. Students should give reasons why it is better to practice tolerance in a community. Students should appropriately share candy. Note how well students identify colors and match them to the color word.
Curriculum Connection:
Economics: Learn about scarcity as an issue of resources.
Math: Have students sort and compare groups of objects.
Bibliographical References:
- Permission to use this out-of-print paperback picture book for Lesson Five: Colors and Trouble kindly granted by the publisher, Scholastic, Inc. The title was originally published under the following:
Klamath County YMCA Family Preschool. The Land of Many Colors. Scholastic, Inc., 1993.
Lesson Developed By:
Pamela McIntoshDetroit Public Schools
Woodward Elementary School
Detroit, MI 48208
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Colors and Trouble (Text-Only Version)
(A simple message of peace and respect for differences is the theme of this book written by children for children. Written by Charlotte Reyes' YMCA Family Preschool class in Klamath Falls, Oregon and illustrated by Rita Pocock, this class-made book is the result of a Scholastic/Cabbage Patch Kids© awards program. This out of-print paperback picture book reproduced for educational, non-commercial use with the kind permission of Scholastic, Inc.)
These are the purple people.
They like purple food.
They have purple pets.
The think purple is best.
These are the blue people.
They have blue food.
They have blue pets.
They think blue is best.
These are the green people.
Can you guess what kind of food they like?
What kind of pets they have?
One day the purple people said,
"We need more toys."
The blue people said,
"We need more blue food."
And the green people said,
"We don't need anything because we are the best."
Before they knew how it happened,
They were all fighting and hurting each other!
It was WAR!
The houses were ruined.
The animals were hurt.
The plants were smashed.
All of their toys were broken.
The food was running out and everyone was sad.
The one little child covered with dust
Walked up and said, "STOP!
Why are we hurting each other?
We are different, but we are the same."
Everyone looked at the little child.
Was he purple? Was he blue? Was he green?
No one could tell. He was just dusty.
"This war is mean," he said
"It is scary. We should all be friends.
We all have feelings that make us happy or said.
We all love animals and flowers and rainbows.
We should learn to live together."
The different people looked at each other.
They smiled.
"He is right!" they shouted.
The war was over.
Soon they began to help each other build houses.
Everyone helped to take care of the animals.
They traded seeds among one another for planting.
The people were happier.
There was still the problem of food.
There would only be enough food
if they mixed it all up and everyone
ate all of the different colors.
So they did.
They ate it. They loved it.
"This is better than anything," they shouted.
They were happy to all be friends.
The Land of Many Colors became a peaceful, loving world.
Written by:
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Kevin Bicknell |
Brandon Love |
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Lita Cortez |
Samantha Pence |
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Travis Daily |
Tessa Rodgers |
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Sam Cobresk |
Julie Rosario |
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Jsutin Franks |
Kourtney Rusow |
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Jason George |
Tamera Shaw |
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Sarah Gnadt |
Ali Shelley |
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Maria Braybeal |
Brian Smith |
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Mandi Harris |
Justin Smith |
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Annie Harowrth |
Stephanie Sullivan |
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Rachel Hawkins |
Margot (Mugsie) Thompson |
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Amanda Herron |
Kirstin Tucker |
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Devon Hitson |
Danielle Walker |
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Andrew Jones |
Shane Walker |
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Bradley Kiser |
Jessica Westwood |
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Matthew Lawler |
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Sande Jipp, assistant teacher |
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Charlotte Reyes, teacher/director |
Handout 2Print Handout 2
Colors and Trouble (Graphic Version)
Click on one of the images below to view a larger, printable image.
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Unit Contents:
Overview:Philanthropic Literature Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Lonely Fish (The)
- 2.
- Lion and the Mouse (The)
- 3.
- Give a Cookie
- 4.
- Chinese Proverb on Honesty
- 5.
- Colors and Trouble
- 6.
- Quilt to Freedom
- 7.
- Kindness Just Because
- 8.
- Friendly Neighbors
- 9.
- Everyone Is Special
- 10.
- George Washington Carver and Sharing
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.
Comments
This is a great idea. You guys are too good to be true for thinking of such a great lesson with such a deep and meaningful concept.
This is a great story with a wonderful message. The M&M activity was well liked.
(The positive aspect of using this lesson was) all people are the same no matter the color or race. They liked how the smallest one stopped the war.
(The positive aspect of using this lesson was) very memorable with the use of M & Ms. Very good lesson on tolerance.
Okay, I know I'll be a little partial to the lesson, but I love it! I would never have thought of using M&Ms the way you did. Every year, as I teach continent studies, I include the book. I love getting new ideas. Besides that, it really makes me proud of my kids all over again to know that the book is still doing its magic. Thanks!!! -Coco