Caring and Compassion Activity Using Mirrors
Definition
Showing concern for the well-being of others; having regard for another's needs
Literacy
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox
Now One Foot, Now the Other by Tomie de Paola
The Teddy Bear by David McPhail
When I am Old with You by Angela Johnson
Wednesday Surprise by Eve Bunting
Materials Needed
1. Mirrors for students. You can get small hand mirrors at a dollar store (usually sold 2 for $1.00) so that each group of students has one mirror for each group.
2. Clue sheets that are printed backwards. To print the clues backwards on a computer you should print out the sentence then save it as a jpeg.
3. The song “Caring and Compassion” from the recording, Bebop Your Best
4. A chart that lists at least 12 character traits. You can choose the list from Red's recording, Bebop Your Best.
Activity 1: The Mirror Game
(looking past ourselves)
1. Have students in 10 small groups.
2. Have each student in the group look at themselves in the mirror and either think about or say out loud what they see.
3. Have each student move the mirror to a position so that they see another student(s) in the group and describe what they see. Explain to the students that they will be talking about a new character trait today. In order to do this character trait they must look beyond themselves and look at others closely.
4. In order to find out what new trait they will be discussing they need to find the clues in the classroom. Have posted in your classroom on large paper backward clues. Each group must find one of the clues and use their mirror to figure out the clue.
5. When every group has a clue they will share the clue and you can list them on the board. You may need to discuss the clues as a large group. It helps to have a list of character traits for the students look at.
6. With primary students you can give them a hint by playing Red's song, “Caring and Compassion” and have them listen for a clue in the song for the character trait. With older kids they should be able to guess the clue. When the students guess the right answer, go over the clues again to show why caring and compassion is the right answer.
7. Play the song “caring and compassion” from Bebop Your Best
