The Giving Tree

I volunteer in Zoe’s class room every so often, (she is already in first grade...oh my… time flies….). This week we have created the classroom ‘Giving Tree’, inspired by an old time favorite The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.

 
You will need:

Empty water or soda bottles from your recycling bin (or your neighbor’s bin) could be a variety of sizes
Copy paper cut in half
Drawing tools
Clear tape
Permanent markers (sharpies) or stickers
A sharp knife and a pair of scissors
String
A tree (not too tall)

How to:

• Pre-cut the base of the bottles using a knife or scissors, then rinse and dry the bottles if needed.
• Get the kids together and introduce what you will be doing today. They always like to know in advance, it keeps them more attentive while you read the story.
• Read the story out loud. I usually raise questions, followed by short discussions on various segments of the book
• Follow the story with a discussion; ask the children to talk about the different things they gave to others that made them feel happy inside. 
• Ask the children to draw some of those things. (I also gave them an option of drawing something from the story.)
  
  
  ^{I am featured in Zoe's drawing (I have this green shirt I guess I wear too often...)}
  

• Insert each drawing, facing out, into a separate bottle. Secure the drawing with clear tape. 
• Let the children decorate the outside of the bottles with sharpies and stickers if they’d like to. 
• After all the bottles are done, go to the yard and locate the tree you wish to turn into a giving tree. Take a string, and then tie one end to a branch and the other end to a bottle cap. The bottle will protect the drawing from the winter weather. Try and hang the bottles in different heights but low enough for the kids to look at.
  
  

“And the tree was happy...”


tali