Sharing the Beat

Grades: 
K, 1, 2

The children visit a local preschool or retirement facility of their choosing to read aloud a book they wrote and illustrated about generous giving. They share a drumming experience and give the drums and books as gifts. 

Duration 
PrintOne 50-Minute Session and Time for Reflection
Objectives 

The learner will:

  • share a drumming performance.
  • read aloud their homemade book.
  • give the book and drum to the new friend.
Materials 
  • completed books and handmade drums
Teacher Preparation 

Prior to this day, arrange transportation and assistants, as needed, for the field trip. The children will bring their completed books and drums to the preschool or other facility the class chose in the first lesson. Arrange with the leader of the other facility how to match up children for the reading and gift exchange.

Instructions

Print
  1. Anticipatory Set:

    Read aloud a favorite class poem with expression and a clear voice. After reading, tell the children that when sharing literature or poetry with someone else, you read it so your expression shares part of the meaning with the words. Tell them that when they read their beautiful books with a new friend on the field trip, they will also read with meaningful expression. Encourage them to communicate the special meaning of the story with their words and their expression.

  2. The children bring their drums and completed books on the prearranged field trip to another classroom or a retirement facility. On the field trip, they share a drumming presentation and then pair up with someone from the other class to share the book. After reading and talking about the book, they give the book and drum as a gift to their partner.

  3. Reflect on the impact of the experience. Discuss the following: How did you feel about reading the story "The Drum" to a new friend? How did your new friend respond? What did you learn as we listened to, wrote, and shared this book with someone else? What do you think your friend learned? What would you do differently if we did another service for this school? What would you do the same?

Philanthropy Framework

  1. Strand PHIL.IV Volunteering and Service
    1. Standard VS 03. Providing Service
      1. Benchmark E.1 Provide a needed service.
      2. Benchmark E.4 Demonstrate the skills needed for the successful performance of the volunteer job.
    2. Standard VS 05. Integrating the Service Experience into Learning
      1. Benchmark E.2 Evaluate progress on the service-learning project before, during, and after the project.
      2. Benchmark E.3 Identify outcomes from the service.