Scenario:A boy and girl ages 5-8 are on the playground at school and they are presented with a dilemma. There are 2 choices. A good one and a bad one. This is a lesson on APPRECIATION. At the end we will ask a question about how they can do something for someone using that attribute.
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A boy and girl ages 5-8 are on the playground at school and they are presented with a dilemma. There are 2 choices. A good one and a bad one. This is a lesson on APPRECIATION. At the end we will ask a question about how they can do something for someone using that attribute.
Ben
He is a student at Oakdale Elementary School. He is curious, reflective, and determined. Ben struggles with the concept of appreciation, feeling like he always takes things for granted. During a lesson on the playground, he learns about the importance of gratitude and appreciating the good things in life. He reflects on how he can apply this to his everyday interactions, particularly helping his sick grandmother.
Lily
She is a student at Oakdale Elementary School. She is thoughtful, empathetic, and perceptive. Lily is Ben's classmate and quickly becomes a confidante. She shares her own experiences of appreciating the small things in life, such as spending quality time with her sister. Through their conversation, Lily and Ben develop a deeper understanding of appreciation and its value in building positive relationships with those around them.
Teacher
She is a teacher at Oakdale Elementary School. She is engaging, patient, and inspiring. The teacher leads a lesson on appreciation, taking her students to the playground for a reflective activity. Her interactive approach helps Ben and Lily grasp the concept of appreciation, which they struggle with initially. The teacher's guidance enables them to connect with the idea emotionally, leading to a deeper understanding of its significance.
I was so excited to go to school today.
My teacher, Mrs. Johnson, had told us that we would be going out to the playground for a special lesson.
I loved the playground.
We could climb on the jungle gym, swing really high, and go down the slide.
I couldn’t wait.
When it was time to go, we walked out in a line and headed toward the swings.
Mrs. Johnson stopped us and said, "Okay, class. Today we’re going to learn about appreciation. Do any of you know what that means?"
I didn’t know what it meant, but I was hoping it had something to do with recess.
A boy in my class named Tim raised his hand and said, "Is it when you like something a lot?"
Mrs. Johnson smiled.
"Well, it kind of has to do with that. Appreciation is when you feel thankful for something or someone. You appreciate the good things in your life."
I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I hoped it was going to be easy to learn.
Mrs. Johnson continued, "Let’s think about it like this: Imagine you have two choices. Choice number one is very bad: Your brand new bike gets destroyed in a storm."
I gasped along with the other kids in my class.
"No way!"
I exclaimed.
Choice number two was much better: Someone gave you a brand new bike for your birthday.
I sat down on a bench and started kicking my feet back and forth.
I was thinking about the two bike choices.
The shiny red bike in my mind had training wheels like my real one at home, but this one seemed faster somehow.
Lily sat down next to me and said, "My new bike is purple and has sparkly streamers hanging from the handlebars."
Mrs. Johnson walked over to us and asked, "What are you girls thinking about?"
I told her that I was riding my new bike around the playground.
"I’m going really fast," I said.
"I just rode past the slide and now I’m going to make some figure-eights near the swings."
I started moving my feet like I was pedaling.
"Look, Mrs. Johnson, I’m pedaling faster and faster!"
Mrs. Johnson smiled and said, "Okay, girls, let’s get everyone together."
She gathered all the kids in my class into a big circle on the grassy area of the playground.
I sat cross-legged between Lily and Tim.
I started playing with a blade of grass that was growing near my knee.
Mrs. Johnson asked us to share something we appreciated.
One by one, my classmates told about their favorite things.
Tim loved his toy dinosaurs.
Sarah said she appreciated her art supplies.
Michael told us about his pet hamster.
When it was Lily’s turn, she talked about her seashells.
"I have a big collection of them," she said.
"My family goes to the beach every summer and I always look for pretty shells. I put them in a special jar on my dresser."
When it was my turn, I started to get nervous.
My palms were getting sweaty.
I thought about all the things I appreciated: My grandmother’s chocolate chip cookies were the best in the whole world.
Mrs. Johnson noticed my hesitation and asked gently, "Would you like to share something about your grandmother, maybe?"
I nodded slowly and said, "She always makes me cookies when I'm feeling sad or when I do something good."
Lily leaned in closer and whispered, "That's like a hug you can eat!"
