The Giving Tree

Okay, so Valentine's Day is over...now what?!
Well, we've moved on to starting our Nutrition Unit (coming up next week) and learning about Lent.
 
Here is a picture of our class Giving Tree.
 
 
We started talking about Lent this week by reading the story The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.
 
It's a wonderful story about a little boy and a tree who gives him so much.  Giving to the boy makes the tree happy so we talked about things we can do for others that will not only make them happy but us happy as well.
Then each student went home with a note outlining our project and a green piece of construction paper.  Every time they do a good deed at home (i.e. set the table, read to a sibling, etc.) they can make a leaf and we will place it on our tree.
It's only been a few days and already our tree is filing up!
 
This is a great activity to do with your littles during the Lenten season....instead of "giving something up" (like I gave up Coke...so far, so good!) the kinders are helping out.
 
 
We also learned that Lent lasts for 40 days and it is the time where we wait for Easter.
Each morning, we have been filing out this chart and counting down the 40 days.
I got this cute activity from my fabulous teaching partner from last year, Mrs. Angelucci.
 
Speaking of giving....
 
 
I got ANOTHER giant parcel in the mail the other day from my sweet friend Leigh Ann.
It was filled with lots and LOTS of Scentos markers (she knows how much I adore them and how hard it is to find all those scents in Canada!) and other goodies too!
 
 
If you haven't already checked out her blog, you should!  Leigh Ann is getting started in blogging and I'm sure she would love it if you popped by!  Click on the picture above.
 
My own 2 little ones at home dove into the markers instantly but I had to bring some to share with my other littles at school....so I used them today and worked with the kiddies who are still learning to print their name properly.  I'm telling you - everyone wanted to use these!
 
 
We have a 3 day weekend here in Toronto, too, yippee!  It's Family Day on Monday and I can't wait.  We don't have a lot planned but I don't mind sleeping in (usually 7:00 am is the latest - I have little ones at home!), hanging out in jammies and just relaxing together!
Bring on the weekend - and enjoy yours too!



6 comments

  1. I love the lent and giving tree idea!!!!
    Michelle

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  2. I love that book! What a precious lesson you are teaching your kids, Alessia!!
    The Moffatt Girls

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    1. Thanks, Annie! Yes, this is one of my favourite activities to do! It's so nice to see children doing good deeds because they want to! Enjoy the weekend!

      ~Alessia

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  3. I visited Leigh Ann this week - she is a sweet heart.

    Leslie - Teach Junkie.com

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  4. I couldn't help but notice your scented markers. Have you ever used crayola window pens to let the kids write sight words on the windows outside you classroom? soooo much fun and not hard to clean off! Good for writing numbers too. I use them to write last minute messages to my parents . Thanks for your great ideas!

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  5. i love the giving tree correlated with lent!!! too cute! kinder-gardener like the idea of the crayola window pens too! that's a great idea!

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