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Home Away from Home (Grade 2)
Lesson 4:
From Unit Grow Involved K-2
Purpose:
Students listen to and respond to stories about being homeless and helping others. They make Home Away from Home Fleece Scarves and donate them to a local shelter.
Duration:
One 60 miunte class period
Objectives:
The learners will:
- recognize vocabulary words in context.
- listen to and respond to a literature story.
- define service.
- discuss the importance of care for the homeless.
- experience service by making Home Away from Home Fleece Scarves and donating them to a local shelter.
Service Experience:
Although this lesson contains a service project example, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.
Learn more about the stages of service-learning.
Learn more about the stages of service-learning.
The students make Home Away from Home Fleece Scarves and donate them to a local shelter of their choice.
Vocabulary:
service: to provide a community or organization with something that it needs
donate: to give or present something, especially to a charitable organization or other good cause
homeless: someone who has lost their home, or someone who lacks permanent housing
Materials:
- Read aloud copy of Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting
- Fleece, enough to cut approximately 5" x 10" scarves, one for each class member
- Fabric markers
- Letter stencils (optional)
- Construction paper
Teacher Preparation:
During the teaching of this lesson, be sensitive to the possibility that there might be some children who are homeless in your class or who have had other personal experience with homelessness.
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Ask the students what they would miss the most if they had to suddenly leave their home. Discuss the importance and value of homes and familiar surroundings.
- Show the book Fly Away Home. Ask the students if they have ever taken a trip away from home. Ask: How did it feel to arrive home again? Have the students predict what the story might be about.
- Ask these question during and after reading the book aloud:
- What does it mean to be homeless?
- How did homelessness affect Andrew and his dad?
- What might it feel like if each night you had to find a new place to sleep and sometimes were left without one?
- Do you think that most people who become homeless remain that way for a long period of time or a short period of time? How does this change your perspective?
- How can we help people who are homeless?
- Review with students that in Martin's Big Words, they learned about how one person can make a difference through service. In Fly Away Home, they learned that we can help others who may become homeless.
- Explain to students that they will make Home Away from Home Fleece Scarves that they can donate to a shelter of their choice.
- Review the concept of philanthropy: "giving time, talent and treasure for the common good." Explain to students that they have an opportunity to practice giving their time, talent, and treasure (a hand-made scarf) by making and donating (giving) the scarves to a homeless shelter.
- Point out that making the Home Away from Home Fleece Scarves demonstrates service through the kind act of reminding homeless individuals that they are cared for by others. It also gives them a token of comfort that they may take with them while they are homeless.
- To make the scarves, distribute one piece of fleece to each student.
- Using a ruler, have students measure 1-inch intervals on the short ends of their scarves. Instruct them to carefully cut 1-inch wide fringe the length of one scissor cut (3-4 inches).
- Allow students to decorate their scarf with a theme such as snow flakes or smiley faces using the fabric markers. Students can write a caring message on the scarf using letter stencils , if available.
- Ask students to brainstorm messages they could use on a card to accompany the gift of the scarf. (Examples: "Here's a Smile Coming your Way!" Or "I hope that you have a Great Day!") Write their suggestions in a display area.
- Have the students create a card including illustrations and a positive message. The cards may be tied to the scarves with ribbon to make a beautiful presentation.
- Share with the students several options of where they could donate the scarves (look under Social Service in the yellow pages for options) and help the students come to consensus about which organization(s) will receive their donated scarves.
- Donate completed package (scarf and card) to teh chosen recipients. Take pictures (if appropriate) for students to view in reflecting on their service.
- Reflection is a key component of service-learning that adds meaning to the experience. Ask students how they felt about donating their scarves and how their gift impacted the recipients.
Cross-Curriculum Extensions:
- Drawing Journals: Have students keep a journal of their experiences by drawing pictures of each step within the project. This also helps students sequence the events that took place.
- Poems, Songs, Art: Encourage students to create original art, poetry, and songs about giving and sharing.
- Photo Slide Show: Make a slide show using the photographs taken throughout the project and invite friends and family to attend a viewing.
Bibliographical References:
Bunting, Eve. Fly Away Home. Sandpiper, 1993. ISBN: 978-0395664155
Handouts:
Unit Contents:
Overview:Grow Involved K-2 Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Big Words (Introduction Grade K-2)
- 2.
- Giving Cheer (Kindergarten)
- 3.
- Animals Matter (Grade 1)
- 4.
- Home Away from Home (Grade 2)
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