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I Am a Star

Grades: 
3, 4, 5
Subjects: 
Language Arts
Philanthropy
Social Studies
Keywords & Concepts: 
Personal Virtue
Respect
Trust

In response to a picture book, each participant identifies their own unique qualities and shares them proudly on a star. They demonstrate respect and trust to share their qualities and pay attention to others' traits. 

Duration 
PrintOne 45-Minute Session
Objectives 
  • Identify the reasons to feel empathy for oneself and appreciate one's own gifts
  • Make and illustrate a paper star with their personal traits
  • Recognize and respect the unique qualities of others.
Materials 
  • Read-aloud copy of a book about being uniquely you, such as Just Ask by Sonia Sotomayor  The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, Be You by Peter Reynolds, or I Am Me by Katelyn Herrygers
  • Directions for cutting and folding a five-point star, plus a sample pre-made with the facilitator's traits written on it — http://www.highhopes.com/5pointstar.html
  • Square (8”x 8” or smaller) sheets of paper and scissors 
  • Crayons/markers/colored pencils
Teacher Preparation 

Practice making the star in advance so you are comfortable with the process when you demonstrate.

Home Connection 

Write about your unique qualities in an essay form. Get help from parents and family members in thinking of your talents, gifts, qualities and strengths. The essay is titled, “I Am Uniquely Me.”

Bibliography 
Related Resources 

Instructions

Print

  1. Anticipatory Set:

    Set the stage for the upcoming activities about uniqueness by sharing the unique star (prepared in advance) and telling about your own traits. Tell the participants that they are all “stars.”

  2. Read aloud the book you have selected (see bibliography). Talk about why it is important to feel empathy and compassion for yourself. 

  3. Demonstrate how to fold the five-point star (see Bibliography). 

  4. ​Set up work stations with scissors, 8”x 8” white paper and art materials. For each group, provide a copy of the directions for making the five-point star.

  5. Each person folds and cuts a star. They decorate their stars with colorful or interesting patterns and write some words that describe them. Display the stars on the bulletin board or hang from the ceiling. Label the display “Our Star Qualities.”

  6. ​Meet as a whole group to discuss star qualities. List on chart paper words that describe people. Encourage them to keep the descriptions positive: quiet, loud, artistic, athletic, good reader, dark hair, strong, creative. Avoid judgmental words such as noisy, bossy.

    Facilitate a discussion to help them observe that the world is a better place because we each bring different strengths, appearances, and skills.

    Talk about the importance of respecting others who are different than us. It is important to find common ground but also see the beauty and strength in differences. 

  7. ​Discuss how trust allows people to take risks, like sharing their unique self. Talk about the importance of trust while taking healthy risks within this community. Discuss how trust is earned and kept. 

Philanthropy Framework

  1. Strand PHIL.II Philanthropy and Civil Society
    1. Standard PCS 01. Self, citizenship, and society
      1. Benchmark E.1 Define the word <em>trust</em> and its role in all communities.
    2. Standard PCS 02. Diverse Cultures
      1. Benchmark E.2 Discuss the importance of respect for others.
  2. Strand PHIL.IV Volunteering and Service
    1. Standard VS 03. Providing Service
      1. Benchmark E.1 Provide a needed service.