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What's in a Name?

Lesson 3:

From Unit Selflessness

Lesson

Handouts

Academic Standards

Philanthropy Framework

Kindergarten-2nd Grade

Subjects:

Library / Technology, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

PHIL:	Reflection
SOC:	Legend of the Bluebonnet (The); Community; Good Character; Native Peoples; Values

Purpose:

The students will reflect upon themselves as community members.

Duration:

One Sixty-Minute Class Period

Objectives:

The learner will:

associate a descriptive name for themselves with the services they perform.
list several reasons why they chose a particular descriptive name.
identify several helping activities students perform in the classroom and/or the community in general.

Materials:

The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tomie de Paola (see Bibliographic References).
Pencils and paper

Synopsis:

In The Legend of the Bluebonnet, by Tomie de Paola, the Great Spirits claim that the selfishness of the Comanche people has brought drought and famine to the Earth. For the famine to end, the People must sacrifice the most valued possession among them. She-Who-Is-Alone gives up her most valuable possession to save her people.

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:

Have students recall the girl's name in The Legend of the Bluebonnet at the beginning of the story (She-Who-Is-Alone).
How did that name describe how her community viewed her?
Have the students recall the name the girl received at the end of the story (One-Who-Dearly-Loved-Her-People).
Why did the people change her name?

Ask the students to think about themselves. What do they do that is of value to the community?
Tell the students to think of a name for themselves that would describe their contribution to the community or family. The name must start with "He-Who…" or "She-Who…" Give examples if necessary:
He-Who-Picks-Up-Papers, She-Who-Helps-With-Math.
Tell the students to write three sentences to explain why they chose their new name. Students should use examples of helping activities in explaining why.

Assessment:

Teacher observation of student participation.
Student has written three sentences that support their name choice. They have included at least one example of an activity which supports their answer

Bibliographical References:

De Paola, Tomie. The Legend of the Bluebonnet. New York: Scholastic, Inc., 1983.

Lesson Developed and Piloted by:

Lynn Chamberlain
Central Elementary School
Munising Public Schools
Munising, MI 49862

Handouts:

Academic Standards:

State:

Philanthropy Framework:

Unit Contents:

Overview:Selflessness Summary

Lessons:

1.: Selfless - Selfish
2.: Life Shields
3.: What's in a Name?