Kathryn Otoshi's "One" is a powerful picture book tackling the difficult topics of bullying, prejudice, and the importance of self-acceptance and empathy. To fully explore the book's themes with children, engaging activities are crucial. This post outlines several activities designed to spark conversation, encourage critical thinking, and promote kindness.
Pre-Reading Activities: Building Anticipation
Before diving into the story, pique children's interest and lay the groundwork for deeper understanding:
- Color Exploration: Gather various colored construction paper or blocks. Discuss the different colors and how they make us feel. Introduce the concept that everyone is different, and that’s okay.
- Feeling Chart: Create a simple chart with different emotions (happy, sad, angry, scared, excited). Have children identify how different situations or colors might make them feel. This will help them connect with the characters' emotions in the book.
- Word Association: Begin with the word "one." Ask children to brainstorm words that come to mind when they hear this word—unique, special, individual, alone, etc. Explore both positive and negative connotations.
Post-Reading Activities: Deepening Understanding
Once you've read "One," delve into meaningful discussions and creative activities:
- Character Analysis: Discuss the different colored squares and their feelings. Encourage empathy by asking children to imagine how each color might be feeling and why. Why does the blue square feel lonely? What makes the red square angry?
- Role-Playing: Act out scenes from the book. Children can take on the roles of different colored squares, expressing their emotions and interactions. This helps them internalize the story's message.
- Collaborative Mural: Create a large mural representing the book’s message. Children can use different colors and shapes to visually depict the importance of unity and acceptance.
- Kindness Chain: Make a paper chain where each link contains an act of kindness. Discuss how small acts can make a big difference, mirroring the book’s theme of positive change.
- Story Retelling: Have children retell the story in their own words, either individually or as a group. This assesses comprehension and encourages verbal expression.
- Creative Writing: Encourage children to write their own stories about feeling different or overcoming challenges, using the book as inspiration.
Activities Focusing on Anti-Bullying and Empathy:
- Discussion about Feelings: Have an open discussion about bullying, using the book as a springboard. Help children understand the impact of their words and actions on others.
- Empathy Exercises: Engage in activities that promote empathy, such as putting themselves in another person’s shoes and considering their perspective. Role-playing scenarios can be particularly effective.
- Problem-Solving Scenarios: Present children with hypothetical scenarios involving bullying or exclusion. Guide them to brainstorm solutions and strategies for responding to such situations.
- Creating a Class Charter: Collaboratively develop a class charter promoting kindness, respect, and inclusivity, referencing the themes in "One."
Extending the Learning:
- Research Different Cultures and Perspectives: Expand on the theme of diversity by researching different cultures and perspectives. Discuss how people from various backgrounds contribute to the richness of our world.
- Community Involvement: Engage in community service projects that promote acceptance and inclusivity, such as volunteering at a local charity or organizing a school-wide kindness campaign.
By implementing these activities, you can transform reading "One" into a powerful learning experience, fostering empathy, promoting kindness, and encouraging children to celebrate their unique qualities and those of others. Remember to adapt the activities to suit the age and developmental level of the children involved.
