17: The Season of Giving

"Only by giving are you able to receive more than you already have."

-Jim Rohn

They say that trees — specifically the forests they are in — are the lungs of the earth since they are responsible for producing the oxygen we breathe. Apart from their important role in our survival, trees have also provided humans with materials that we can use for everyday life. Mahogany and walnut trees are popular for furniture, while bamboos can be used to make shelters, bridges, and even clothes. In fact, coconut trees are called the tree of life because of the numerous ways that we can use its parts to help us live better.

Trees truly are gifts from nature that keep on giving, which was depicted beautifully in a book that we read in class by Shel Silvertein called The Giving Tree.

The story begins with a tree who loved a little boy. They always played together and both of them are happy. When I ask the kindergarteners who or what makes them happy, they always say what you would expect from children their age: 

mommy and daddy

family

toys

school

friends

food

playing

"But what will make you happier?" I ask.

What is it that truly gives each one of us joy?

The story progresses as the little boy grows up into a adulthood, and goes through different experiences that define his concept of joy. As he struggled to find happiness, the tree was always on the sidelines, wholeheartedly giving him whatever she could. The boy was happy in the moments where he thought he got what he needed, but the joy of the tree through giving remained constant.

This week, as we prepare to celebrate Christmas -- the season of giving -- the kindergarteners learned about the gift of trees and how lucky we are to have them on earth. 

In our unit of inquiry, the children explored a product of trees -- wood -- and discovered how much we use it in different ways.

We use wood for our furniture.

We use wood for our buildings.

We use wood for our tools.

We use wood for our toys.

We use wood for our instruments. 

We use wood for our decorations.

We use wood for sports.

We use wood to learn.

We even used wood to create art.

They truly are giving trees! 💚

To give back to nature and to make the home of our trees more beautiful, the children planted new tulip bulbs in the small field near the school where they harvested the sweet potatoes. It was such a wonderful experience to see all the children working together to make our environment better.

During the Christmas season, trees also symbolize the concept of giving as it is under the Christmas trees that we put our presents for other people. It is the centerpiece of every Christmas celebration, and families gather around it to share their love for one another.

For our story workshop, I showed the children a photo of myself beside a Christmas tree when I was their age as a provocation for their storytelling.

I told the children that when I was their age, I used to stay beside our Christmas tree to make wishes and imagine stories about Christmas. I asked the children to look closely at the Christmas tree in our classroom, and to pick one ornament that they can use to create a Christmas story.

Ren

Santa Claus came early on Christmas. He was riding a train. He loves trains. He has 4 gifts. He gave them to 4 children. Then he rode the train again to go home. 

Arisa

It is Christmas. I am excited for 10 o’clock to come. The presents come at 10 o’clock. When it was 10 o’clock, I opened the present I got. It was a doll with a heart. I love it so much. I named it Berrypush. I played with it at home.

Emi

Santa Claus was sleeping. He forgot that it was Christmas. The elf wanted to wake him up. The elf rang the bell. Santa Claus woke up. He remembered it that it’s Christmas! He had to give the presents to the children!

Sophia

There was an angel who couldn’t fly but she loves singing. She wants a present for Christmas: a singing mic. She wrote to Santa Claus to ask for a singing mic. On Christmas, she got her gift. She was happy. She joined a singing show to use her gift.

Diego

Once upon a time on a mountain, you can find Santa’s house. It was Christmas night but he was asleep. He was tired because his elf needed too much help. His elf went out for a walk and found a snowman with a Christmas tree. He asked the snowman for help. The snowman said, “Yes, I can help!” The snowman went out to find his snowman friends and they made a giant bell. The snowmen and the elf pulled the string of the bell and it was so loud. “Booooong!” It woke up Santa!

Jinnosuke

Once upon a time, there were two babies. They were sleeping. Santa Claus was going to bring their presents to their house. Santa quietly went to their house but he hit his head on a bell. The bell was loud. It woke up the children! Santa quickly put the presents in the house so the babies will not see him. The babies saw their presents. They were happy!

Mana

This is my house during Christmas. I put up the Christmas tree. On Christmas, I saw the door open. Santa Claus was inside the house to give my present. When he was done, he rode his car back home.

Yanchen

I have a Christmas stocking in my house. Someone secretly puts presents in the stocking everyday. It was letters! I spelled my name with the letters — Yanchen! I think it came from Santa Claus!

Atsuharu

On Christmas, I was wearing pajamas for sleeping. I saw snow falling. I went out. It was cold. I made a penguin in the snow. Then I made a snowman. I had fun.

Haruto

Santa Claus was going to the house to deliver presents. He was happy. He rode his sleigh but it was broken. He used a magic leaf to go to the house. The children got their presents. They were happy. 

Have you noticed a difference in the stories they make? They're beginning to put in more details and ideas into their narratives -- what a big growth! 😊

To help develop the children's fine motor skills, Ms. Miho has graciously accepted the opportunity to teach the children how to do origami once a week. Of course, our first project had to be a Christmas tree -- or a forest of it for some!

The children also had a special art class with Mr. Lubin for the school's Christmas tree artwork. Can you guess what they made?

One of the things that the children love talking about is the presents that they want to receive for Christmas. Santa Claus is a main feature in their conversations, and they are excited to find out what he has in store for them this Christmas. 

I gave the children the special task of creating their wish list for Santa Claus this Christmas --- with a twist. Instead of asking for gifts that they want for themselves, I asked them what they would like others to receive. Zoom in to read what they wished for:

 Can you guess which list belongs to your child? 😀 

To connect the concept of giving with our unit on materials, Santa Claus happily agreed to knight the children as his elves for the week. He curated a set of the materials that we have learned in class for his little elves. Their task is to use these to create a present for one of their friends, which they will give to them on the day of their Christmas party. 

Santa Claus personally told me that he's excited to find out what his elves will come up with! 

In the story, the Giving Tree discovered that true joy and happiness can be found through giving. In little ways, we are just like the Giving Tree. We give from the heart through our thoughts, words, and actions -- and we are much richer for it. I hope that in this Christmas season, the children will discover that the best presents that they will receive are those that come from what they give, because in it lies lasting joy. 

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Your Kindergarten teacher, 

Pam

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P.S. Someone created a reimagined plot for The Giving Tree that focuses on healthy boundaries. You can check it here, but that's another lesson for the children when they get older. 😊