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The purpose of this lesson is to help children to recognize how change impacts our lives and how we can adapt to change.
Change happens all the time and is something that happens to all of us. Sometimes we can control the change and other times we cannot. Once change is recognized, we can respond to it appropriately and find balance in dealing with change.
Activity 1: (20 minutes) EVERYTHING CHANGES
Introduce the lesson with the slideshow and student check-in questions. Review the Pyramid of Happiness anchor chart from the slides. Review the fourth and fifth level of the pyramid and perform that action (strike a superhero pose and star-jump with arms and legs spread out wide). Make the connection of controlling our response to change and how it helps us feel good about ourselves and the power we hold. Remind students about the actions associated with each level of the pyramid.
Give each child a piece of ice to observe. Allow them to hold it in their hand, or move it about on the plate or dish. Ask them to tell you about what they know about ice, and what they are observing.
Have a discussion:
Activity 2: (15 minutes) CHANGE AND BIG EMOTIONS
Change can bring big emotions like fear or sadness. Sometimes, change can bring good things too, like excitement, new friends, or new things you didn’t know you’d like.
Read The Koala Who Could by Rachel Bright or watch the read aloud video by Mama’s Got Mac. Have students listen for ways that the koala felt about change.
Have a discussion:
Activity 3: (20 minutes) SHORT-TERM CHANGE/LONG-TERM CHANGE
Change happens every day. Some change is short-term. Some change is long-term.
Short-term change is when something that you are used to looks or feels different for a short amount of time. For example: Usually your parents pick you up from school, but today you are riding the bus. Tomorrow, your parents will pick you up again.
Long-term change is when something that you are used to looks or feels different for a longer amount of time like months, years, or a lifetime. For example: Your mom has a new baby! This new sibling is part of your life for the rest of your life!
Change will always be part of our lives and often brings BIG emotions. Even good changes like a new baby or starting school may cause feelings of anxiousness or uncertainty. With practice, you can control how you will respond to change.
Use the slideshow to discuss the definitions of short-term change and long-term change. After students have a basic understanding, go through the slides showing pictures of change. Students will make themselves “short” (in a squatty position) if the picture is short-term change and “long” (stretching fingertips to the ceiling) if it’s a long-term change.
Activity 4: (10 minutes) I CAN ADJUST TO CHANGE
When we adjust to change, that is called being resilient. Resilient means that whatever happens, we can find ways to adapt to the changes that come our way. Being resilient is a part of living your superstar life. Have a discussion:
Sometimes, a long-term change like moving away from friends or a loved one dying can bring sad emotions that feel very big. One way to deal with this kind of change is to focus on the connections that continue to exist, even after a big change.
Read The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn or watch the read aloud video by Storytime with Elena.
Have a discussion about the changes that happen in families. Babies are born, people grow older, sometimes people die, sometimes parents split up or get remarried. Sometimes those changes include moving to a new house, or even getting new siblings or grownups in your family. Remind the children that with all of the changes that families make, the one thing that doesn’t change is how much grownups love their children.
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