Three Chinese Stories
How do cultural values influence a person's behavior?
In this unit, the children hear three stories of Chinese literature. Two are folk tales from ancient China, and the third is from present day setting in North America. The learners explore decision-making and the consequences of choices made. The conclusion/moral is that selfless choices have unpredictable rewards.
Through discussion of the book The Seven Chinese Brothers, learners recognize that using our talents and working together to help others has benefits greater than the opportunity cost (what we gave up to take generous action).
Based on the book The Runaway Rice Cake, the group writes a familiar story from a different perspective. The moral of the story is that when the character gives generously and from the heart, the giver is also rewarded in some way.
In the book, Sam and the Lucky Money, we observe Sam as he makes a difficult decision between what he wants and what he knows is right. The children explore the benefits and costs of giving.