Materials:

1. Chart paper
2. Marker

Activity:

1. Read the story The Kindness of Squirrels, (pages10-13 of Love Your Neighbor). Engage the children in the recommended discussion, following the story. Ask the children whether it is important to help people without always needing to be praised or rewarded. Discuss their responses. Ask children whether it is important to acknowledge kind deeds that people do for one and another. Engage children in discussion about how people can be rewarded for good deeds.
    
   
2. Ask the children to think about things they could do at home or school to be a secret helper, like Harley and Indiana. Remind the children that the things they secretly do must be things that their families want them to do and that the activities must be safe. Some examples can include putting children's toys away without being reminded, setting the table with napkins and silverware, cleaning out their lunch boxes when returning home from school, or organizing their bookshelves, puzzles or yard equipment.
    
   
3. Ask the children to create a list of Secret Helper ideas. Record the children's suggestions on chart paper. Invite the children to become secret helpers. Tell children to help at home tonight without their parents' notice, and then to discuss what they did to help in class the following day. Ask: Did your parents take notice and acknowledge your deeds? Did you have to bring it to their attention? Were your parents happy with your helpful behavior once they noticed or were told?

What I Like About You

Materials:

1. Chart Paper
2. Markers and crayons
3. Drawing paper

1. Read the story Shopping Spree, (pages 30 through 33 of Love Your Neighbor). Engage the children in the recommended discussion, following the story.
    
   
2. Explain to the children that they will create charts for each child (an individual language experience chart) that will describe all the things that the children in the class like about him or her. Tell the children that everyone will receive his/her own chart, however; it will take several days for everyone to have his/her turn.
    
   
3. Pick names from a hat to determine a lineup of turns—make a list of the children whose names are pulled from the hat, or list the children's names alphabetically.
    
   
4. Prepare a sheet of chart paper titled What we like about (child's name)? Invite the children to tell what they like about each child, i.e. the particular person is funny, a good block builder, " I like his glasses", "I like her barrettes", etc. Continue the activity until everyone has had a turn. Display the charts for the children and families to see.