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Mindful Holiday Storytelling

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Lesson Plan

Mindful Holiday Storytelling

Enhance empathy and creativity

In this lesson, students will participate in a storytelling circle to create a collective holiday story, focusing on kindness and empathy. This activity will enhance creativity, listening, and empathy skills, which are crucial for social development and understanding diverse perspectives.

Audience

Grades 2-4 Students

Time

40 minutes

Approach

Enhance empathy and creativity

Materials

Post-it notes, Markers, Whiteboard, Discussion Questions, and Story Prompts

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle.
  • Explain the concept of storytelling and its importance in sharing experiences and emotions.
  • Introduce the theme: kindness and empathy during the holidays.

Step 2

Story Creation

25 minutes

  • Distribute post-it notes and markers to each student.
  • Ask students to write or draw a short idea related to kindness or empathy during the holidays.
  • Collect the notes and read them aloud, encouraging students to build on each other's ideas.
  • Facilitate the creation of a collective story, writing key points on the whiteboard.

Step 3

Reflection and Discussion

10 minutes

  • Discuss the story created and highlight acts of kindness and empathy.
  • Use discussion questions to guide reflection on how these themes can be applied in real life.
  • Encourage students to share their thoughts and feelings about the story.
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Discussion

Discussion Questions

Questions to guide reflection on the storytelling activity, focusing on kindness and empathy.

What was your favorite part of the story and why?

Encourage students to think about the elements of the story that resonated with them emotionally.







How did the story show kindness and empathy?

Guide students to identify specific actions or words in the story that demonstrated these values.







How can we show kindness and empathy in our daily lives?

Facilitate a discussion on practical ways to incorporate these values into everyday interactions.







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Worksheet

Story Prompts

Printable cards with prompts to inspire students' contributions to the holiday story.




A time when someone helped you during the holidays.







A holiday tradition that makes you feel loved.







A moment when you showed kindness to someone else.







A wish you have for someone this holiday season.




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