Respect
Willow Brook's August Character Trait of the Month!
During the month of August we’re talking about the character trait of Respect. The dictionary defines it as the value of admiring another person for who they are and what they do. The definition we are using in class is:
Respect: seeing good in people and things (and treating them with care).
Respect is both a perspective and a practice. What does it mean to “see good” in people? Oftentimes this requires us to learn more about who they are, where they come from, and why they believe and act the way they do. Respect is about understanding people! Respect is also about action; how we speak to and treat one another (and ourselves) respectfully is a constant practice.
Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama is an important religious leader in Tibetan Buddhism. The Dalai Lama travels the world teaching others about how to Respect themselves, each other, and the world. When Tibetan people were kicked out of their homes, the Dalai Lama created a new community where his people could care for themselves, one another, and their culture.
Who is someone you Respect? How did you get to know that person?
What is important to you? Those are your values. How can you get to know what is important to someone else and understand their values?
Arapaho Proverb
The Arapaho are a tribe of Native Americans historically living on the plains of Colorado and Wyoming. The Arapaho emphasize and teach the importance of showing Respect and thankfulness for all living things including the food and animals we eat, use for clothes, and care for.
Stellaluna Video about Respecting Differences
Discussion:
- How do you think it felt when Stellaluna realized that she was hanging upside down? Why does it seem like her whole world has turned upside down? Do you think it’s important to Respect the ways of others even if they’re different from yours? Why?
- Despite many differences, Stellaluna came to really care about her bird family. What can we learn from her about acceptance and Respect?
- Do you have friends that are different from you in some way? Have your differences ever caused problems? How did you resolve those problems?
Draw It Out: From the loss of her mother to her sudden introduction into the world of her feathered friends, Stellaluna has a lot of adjusting to do.
Say: Imagine that you are Stellaluna. What was it really like to be a bat living as a bird? What made it hard? How did you make it work? Who helped you? What about it was easy or fun? If you had to do it over again, would you? Why or why not? Draw a picture of what it felt like.
I am Peace Song
Sing and/or sway along with Emily Arrow’s version of Susan Verde’s book!
R-E-S-P-E-C-T Song (1:34)
Kindness Boomerang (5:44)
Watch how the “kindness boomerang” starts with one person showing Respect to someone else. Check out how fast Respect and kindness can travel!
Watch Mouse For Sale (4:19)
Encourage students to look for ways to show Respect by celebrating differences this weekend.
A Guided Meditation
It's easy to be nice to the people you like, but it can be difficult to be nice to people who bother or annoy you. Practice respect, tolerance, and compassion for others with this positive, calming GoNoodle video.
Conversation Starters for Home
- Talk with your child about what it means to be respectful, to be courteous and to use their manners, to solve conflict peacefully, and what it means to treat others the way they want to be treated.
- Talk about a time you felt disrespected and what you did about it in a way that demonstrated Respect.
- The core value of Respect invites us to celebrate differences, offering us a beautiful opportunity to work with our children to break down stereotypes. Ask what they think of when they think about grandparents, for example. Expect answers like “they’re old, they’re slow, they’re forgetful, they’re nice, they’re understanding, they’re generous.” Let them share without judgement, to get all of their thoughts out. Then have a conversation about how these are stereotypes that may or may not be accurate for all grandparents and why thinking about people as individuals instead of in groups can be an exercise in Respect.
- If Respect means making others see good in people and making people feel cared for, how do we already show Respect at home? How can we do a better job showing Respect as both kids and adults?
Articles for Parents: Teaching your children about Respect
Purposefull Pursuits: Family Challenges!
- Respect the Planet: Talk about how you can Respect our planet by keeping it clean. Visit a place in your community where your family enjoys spending time – it could be a park, the library, a playground, or even your neighborhood. Take gloves and a trash bag with you and look for litter to pick up. Talk about how picking up litter helps our environment.
- Family Field Trip: Research other cultures with a real or virtual family field trip. Maybe there’s a Native Indian Museum close by? Or an exhibit on the Royals in England coming to a museum near you? It could even just be a field trip to eat dinner at a German restaurant. Notice similarities and differences in the culture(s) that you experience and talk about them after the trip is over!
- Honoring Humanity: Collect some toiletries or socks for people in your community who are in need and drop them off with your student explaining what you are doing and why you are doing it. If possible, make your respectful service more personable by talking with those who work at the shelter, food bank, or organization that you have chosen to support.
Grades K-2 Respect Reading List
Hey, Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose
To squish or not to squish? A child has a chance to squish an ant, but before doing so, the ant pleads its case.
A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon
Will Camilla Cream survive loving lima beans even though none of her friends eat them?
The Colors of Us by Karen Katz
Take a walk with Lena and her mom to see and discuss the different colors and shades in our skin tone.
One by Kathryn Otoshi
Little Blue loved being blue, except when red was around. Can Blue stand up to the hot head?
Something Else by Kathryn Cave
Something Else is lonely, no question, but will he be able to get past the differences he sees when Something shows up to offer its friendship?
Shhh! by Jeanne Willis
A little shrew has the answer; she just needs the world to get quiet long enough to listen to her.
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
A funny and honest school story about teasing, self-esteem, and acceptance to share all year round.
Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
A touching tale of Gerald the giraffe, who wants nothing more than to dance. With crooked knees and thin legs, it’s harder for a giraffe than you would think. Gerald is finally able to dance to his own tune when he gets some encouraging words from an unlikely friend.
The Juice Box Bully by Maria Dismondy
A class community makes a commitment to one another: when a student is found bullying, the students become upstanders and support both the student be bullied and the student doing the bullying.
What if Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick
Readers explore the consequences of their actions by exploring the question, “what if everybody did that?” This book particularly explores how children can show Respect for their community and the environment.
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud
This book provides an incredibly helpful metaphor that helps children explore ways to show Respect, its impact, and reasons why others may struggle to show Respect. It’s a practical and powerful tool to help students understand the importance of showing Respect regardless of whether or not it’s received.
Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller
This book is all about treating others like you would want them to treat you, which is helpful when teaching students about Respect because everyone can relate to wanting to be treated nicely.
Whoever You Are by Mem Fox
This book teaches that all humans are alike, even though we may look and think differently. Students will learn even though someone is different than you, they should still be treated with Respect.
A Different Pond by Bao Phi
This is more than just a story about a father-son fishing trip. It’s about understanding cultures old and new.
Grades 3-5 Respect Reading List
A Taste of Colored Water by Matt Falkner
Was there really a time when all people weren’t allowed to drink from the same water fountain? Cousins Lulu and Jelly want to know just what does colored water taste like anyway?
Good-bye Bully Machine by Debbie Fox and Allan Beane
When bullying behaviors are allowed, the bully machine gains momentum and strength.
Sit In by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Four friends find out what it’s like to host a sit in to stand up for something they believe in.
The Golden Rule by Ilene Cooper
Learn about all of the different cultures and world religions that have their own version of The Golden Rule.
Draw The Line by Kathryn Otoshi
Will the children who are drawing the line in this wordless classic finally agree, even if it’s just that they disagree?
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Does she really not have a name, or is it just that the children can’t pronounce Unhei, a name from Korean descent?
My Name Is Sangoel by Karen Williams
When people have trouble pronouncing his name, Sangoel draws it out: A SUN and a soccer GOAL, giving the other students a fun new way to talk about and learn names and their origins.
The Orange Shoes by Trinka Hakes Noble
Delly needs new shoes, but she’s a happy little girl nonetheless. Will a prejudiced classmate ruin the Shoebox Social for her?
The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali
Follow along with two sisters on their first day of school as they learn to be proud of who they are, no matter what!