Reflection: meaning of generosity - #1

Earth Group read the book, The Smartest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson to help us think about what it means to be generous. In this story, George the Giant buys new clothes because he thinks his old clothes make him look scruffy and not smart.  He gives his new clothes to strangers in need and ends up with his old tattered robe and sandals once again.  Before re-enacting the story, the children put their thinking caps on and challenged their sensibilities:

Question: Is it okay for George to ask for his clothes back?  

Lysander: No, I mean Yes:

Orin: I want to say yes but I know the answer is no.

Pauline: Yes if he asks nicely, with manners, like please.

Pippa: No

Alexis: Yes

Francine: Yes

Question: Can you imagine giving away all, one or none of your toys?  Is there anything you have not played with in a long time?

Lysander: No way

Orin: No, well maybe sometimes

Pauline: No, I have to share with my sister

Pippa: Sometimes Monty shares with me

Alexis: No, I need all my toys.

Francine: No

Tai: My sister has her own stuff

Question: What about giving away clothes, like George the Giant?

Lysander: No way, but you could probably take my baby clothes.

Orin:  I can give away baby clothes too, but that is it.

Pauline:  My mom decides.  My sister and I are both girls.

Alexis: I don’t know.

Francine: No my clothes are pink, Damon can not wear it.

Tai: No, I need new clothes.

Orin setting up the story map to guide us through our reenactment.

Lysander as the George the Giant in his old robe and his new clothes

Alexis (giraffe)and Pippa (fox) in character.  Fox says “ Wet sleeping bag.”  Giraffe says “ I have a cold neck.”

The children use the story board as a thank-you card for George the Giant.

As the children set forth on the path to discover what it means and how it feels to give something away.  

Watching the children, I realize that working as a group on a community project is both challenging and rewarding.  The challenge for me as a teacher is making sure that each child has an opportunity to contribute to the project, by providing the materials and guidance they need.  The challenge for the children is to be aware that the one project belongs to each  and every child, so each and every child has the right to contribute.  I watched as the children debated over who could colour what, complained about not having enough room, and a few children even tried to pull the card away to make it easier to colour.