The Gift of Time

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Students will become aware that there are many ways in which one can give a "gift." They will also learn that they can feel joyful about giving.

OBJECTIVE

Students will:

1. Identify how they can give their time to someone as a gift.
2. Create a way to present their gift.

MATERIALS

• Book: Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss
• Construction paper
• Water colors, Tempera paint, colored pencils
• Water cups, paint brushes
• Scissors
• Directions and materials to make an origami box
• Notepaper

SET UP AND PREPARE

1. Gather enough materials for a whole class
2. Designate an area for painting
3. Plan to station materials so that they can be left out for students' use during their free time.
4. Plan lessons for the next few days that will provide free time.

DIRECTIONS
Step 1: Introduction
Ask students if anyone has ever asked them what they wanted to eat for their birthday dinner? Have them share what they said.

Ask students to imagine where they would want to go if someone said, "I would like to take you somewhere to celebrate." Ask them to make sure they have chosen a place and they have it in their head, then ask them to turn to a tablemate and tell where that place is.

Let students know that when someone does something special for them like fix a favorite dinner or take them somewhere, that person is giving them the gift of time. Have students give you some examples of time they could give. Some ideas are cookie-making time for a younger brother or sister, dishwashing time for Mom, or car washing time for Dad.

Step 2: Hold up the book Horton Hatches the Egg. As you fan through the pages, have the students tell you the story. Was Horton giving the gift of time? In the end, do you think he was glad he did? Did the person who made you a birthday dinner feel happy about doing something nice for you? You will feel very good too when you can give your time to someone.

Step 3: Think of three people you would like to give a gift to or do something nice for this holiday season. On the notepaper write down who it is and what gift of your time you might give them. I want to see your ideas.

Step 4: Now we need to think of how we are going to tell people about their gift. You can write it on a slip of paper and then put the paper in a decorated envelope or box you make. You could paint a picture of the time you are giving and hand the person the picture. You can write a poem about your gift of time and read the poem to the person. How else could you tell someone about your gift?

Step 5: Have students get the materials they need and start their project. They may make as many "gift announcements" as they like, finishing during their free time.

LESSON EXTENSION
Explain to students that they can use their imaginations during the winter holidays to give gifts of the "heart" and not of the "purse." Poems and homemade things are also gifts of time, because it takes time to make them. Students can do all of these things on their own.

ASSESS STUDENTS
Students will be evaluated by the completion of the task. Have they chosen a gift of time that is appropriate for the person they selected? Did they take care in preparing the announcement?

EVALUATE THE LESSON
Is there anyone who doesn't get the concept? Maybe I could have the principal come in and tell the class that she is going to give them a gift of time. She will take her time to stand on the playground and watch over them to give them a gift of ten extra minutes of recess. (That would give me a gift too!)

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