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Winter Warmth of Wishes

Lesson Plan

Winter Warmth of Wishes

Students will explore the concept of hope and positive aspirations for themselves and others as the new year approaches, articulating simple hopes through creating 'wish snowflakes' to foster optimism and positive future-oriented thinking.

Encouraging hopeful perspectives and gentle goal-setting helps young students develop emotional intelligence and a positive outlook on the future, which are crucial for their social-emotional development.

Audience

Kindergarten Students

Time

45-60 minutes

Approach

Hands-on activity, creative expression, and group discussion.

Materials

White paper (or blue/light blue construction paper), Scissors (child-safe), Markers, crayons, or colored pencils, Glitter, stickers, or other decorative items (optional), Wish Snowflakes Activity Guide, Slide Deck: Winter Warmth of Wishes, and Discussion Prompts: Our Winter Wishes

Prep

Gather Materials & Review

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

10 minutes

  • Begin by welcoming students and introducing the theme of winter and new beginnings using the Slide Deck: Winter Warmth of Wishes.
    * Ask students what they like about winter and what a "wish" means to them. Use slides 1 and 2.

Step 2

Wish Snowflake Creation

25 minutes

  • Distribute materials for the Wish Snowflakes Activity Guide.
    * Guide students through folding and cutting their paper to create snowflakes. Encourage creativity and unique designs.
    * Once snowflakes are unfolded, instruct students to draw or write their wish on their snowflake. Provide assistance as needed, especially with writing.

Step 3

Sharing & Discussion

15 minutes

  • Gather students for a class discussion using the Discussion Prompts: Our Winter Wishes.
    * Encourage students to share their snowflakes and the wishes they created. Foster a supportive environment where all wishes are valued.
    * Use slides 5 and 6.

Step 4

Wrap-Up

5 minutes

  • Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the idea of hope and positive thinking. Display the snowflakes around the classroom.
    * Thank students for sharing their wishes and remind them that hoping for good things brings warmth to our hearts. Use slide 7.
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Slide Deck

Welcome, Winter Wishers!

It's cold outside, but our hearts can be warm!
What do you love about winter? (Snow, holidays, warm drinks?)

Welcome students and introduce the concept of wishes and new beginnings. Ask a few open-ended questions about winter.

What's Your Wish?

A wish is something good you hope for.
It's like a happy dream for the future!
What kind of wishes do you have?

Introduce the idea of making wishes for the new year. Explain that wishes are like good hopes for what we want to happen.

Our Wish Snowflakes!

Today, we'll make special snowflakes.
Each snowflake will hold a wish!
Like a secret hope, floating in the air.

Explain that today we'll be making 'wish snowflakes'. Show an example of a snowflake.

How to Make a Wish Snowflake

Fold your paper carefully.
Cut out special shapes.
Unfold to see your unique snowflake!

Guide students through the folding and cutting process of making a snowflake. Emphasize that every snowflake is unique, just like their wishes.

Write Your Wish!

What do you wish for? You can draw or write it.

  • A new toy?
  • To learn something new?
  • For someone to be happy?

Explain that they will write or draw their wish on their snowflake. Provide examples of simple wishes.

Share Your Wish!

Let's share our happy wishes.
What did you wish for?
How does it make you feel?

Transition to sharing their wishes. Create a positive and supportive environment for students to share.

Wishes Bring Warmth!

Our wishes make our hearts warm.
Keep hoping for good things!
Happy New Year, little wishers!

Conclude by reiterating the power of hope and positive thinking. Encourage them to keep their wishes in mind.

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Activity

Wish Snowflakes Activity Guide

Objective: To create a visual representation of personal hopes and positive aspirations.

Materials:

  • White paper (one sheet per student, plus a few extra)
  • Child-safe scissors
  • Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
  • Optional: Glitter, stickers, or other decorative items

Instructions:

  1. Introduce Snowflakes (5 minutes): Begin by showing examples of real snowflakes (pictures or illustrations) and discuss how each one is unique and special. Explain that today, students will make their own unique
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Discussion

Our Winter Wishes Discussion Prompts

Objective: To facilitate a supportive and reflective discussion about personal hopes and positive aspirations.

Instructions for the Teacher:

  • Create a comfortable and inclusive circle time or gathering space.
  • Encourage active listening and respectful sharing among students.
  • Rephrase or clarify student responses as needed to ensure understanding.
  • Emphasize that all wishes, big or small, are special and important.

Discussion Prompts:

  1. "Look at your beautiful wish snowflake! What is one special wish you put on your snowflake?"

    • Follow-up: "Why is that wish important to you?"











  2. "If your wish could come true, how would that make you feel?"

    • Follow-up: "What makes you feel hopeful when you think about your wish?"











  3. "Can you wish for something good for your friends or family too? What would that wish be?"

    • Follow-up: "How does it feel to wish good things for others?"











  4. "Sometimes we wish for things to happen in the new year. What is one small, happy thing you hope for in the coming days or weeks?"

    • Follow-up: "What can you do to help make your wish come true?"











  5. "Why do you think it's important to have wishes and hopes?"

    • Follow-up: "How do wishes make our hearts feel?"











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