When I wrote the blog post I am a human being, too last week, what I didn´t expect was an outpouring of loving-kindness. I´m truly grateful to all those like-minded educators, who took the time to get in touch with me.
Dear inspiring teachers, thank you for helping your students shine their light brightly and spreading positivity in the world. Your beautiful words touched my heart deeply and showed me that my work matters tremendously.
As promised today I am sharing one of my young students´ favourite lessons. It is inspired by the great Fred Rogers and his amazing work. Mr Rogers, as millions of American grown-up kids know him, taught us that everyone matters and LOVE IS AT THE ROOT OF EVERYTHING. If you haven´t watched the film A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, starring Tom Hanks, I thoroughly recommend it.
Here´s my lesson plan THE GARDEN OF YOUR MIND
Topic: Hope, Dreams, Positive thinking
Aims: To practise Speaking and writing skills/To talk about our dreams/ goals
Age group: young learners
Level: A2/B1
Materials: videos, paper, old newspapers/magazines, crayons, glue, scissors
Step 1
Discussion
Show the questions and ask the students to work in groups and discuss them.
What can we grow in a garden?
What can we grow in the garden of our mind?
Step 2
After collecting the students’ answers, play the video and ask them to note down what Mr. Rogers thinks we can grow in the garden of our minds.
If you want to show your students the lyrics, you can find them here.
Step 3
After clarifying the message in the song, write the following question on the board:
What could be a good idea to grow in our mind?
Put the students in different groups and ask them to come up with some ideas. Then play the second video to see what Mr Rogers suggests.
Step 4
The students work individually and think of positive ideas that they can grow in their minds. Encourage them to use their imagination and see how they see themselves in 5/10 years’ time. What wishes do they have for the future? You could give them the following prompts:
I hope I...
I have a dream to...
My goal is to...
Walk around and check for any errors.
Step 5
Let’s create
The students create their own Dream Board. I usually ask my students to bring old newspapers, magazines the previous class so that we have them ready for this creative stage.
How can we create a Dream Board?
Each student will need a sheet of paper, some newspaper/magazine cuttings, crayons, glue, a pair of scissors. Tell the students that they have to write down their dreams and find pictures which correspond to them. If they cannot find any, they could draw their own.
Optional: If you have access to computers, the students can create their dream boards, using PowerPoint or on this website: https://www.photocollage.com/ .
I love playing quiet relaxing music in class. It helps everyone get into the mood.
Step 6
When everybody is ready, ask some of the students to show their boards and share their dreams with the class. Tell them that they could hang their dream board in their bedroom imagining their dreams have come true.
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Until we meet again, be blessed
Marusya Price
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