1. There are so many wonderful books centered on the theme of giving, which make a wonderful base for learning. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, The Gift of the Magi by O'Henry, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado, to name some of my favorites. Use these stories to do character and word studies, do role play activities, find common characteristics about giving, etc.
2. Use your theme of giving and/or peace and incorporate it into language arts activities. Use it as a basis for spelling words, acrostics, games, and writing activities.
3. Institute a class community service project. Involve students in each phase of planning, organizing and implementing a giving project for people in need in the community. Some suggestions are have students collect books to donate to children in the hospital, have a food or clothing drive for the homeless or needy families, make cards and or write letters to the elderly in nursing homes, etc.
Here are some additional resources!
Holidays: Teaching your kids to give the gift of themselves
If you want your kids to grow up to be charitable adults, you have to teach it to them now -- through your own actions
Caring Kids - by Irma Ghosn a series of stories written in English for children. A series of children's stories in English given an award by TESOL and features main themes such environment, ecology, human rights, tolerance, peace and social responsibility, caring kids, good pedagogical teaching material.
Read our article entitled
"Teaching Students To Value Giving".
