Grades: Pre-K to 3rd

Length of Program: 1 hour- 1 ½ hours                               

Equipment needed: construction paper, scissors, glue, markers, dependent on craft appropriate for age

Description: 

Introduction: Elizabeth begins by introducing herself and describing the background and work of the book's illustrator. 

Opening: The class will do one or more of the following opening activities depending on the number of students, their ages, and the site's preferences: 

• "See—Think-Wonder" with Nature Artifacts: Elizabeth will bring in nature artifacts and photos. She will engage students in an activity in which they brainstorm what they see (i.e., observe), what they think (i.e. , infer), and what they wonder (I.e., questions they have). 

• "Show-and-Tell" with Nature Artifacts: Students can bring in their own nature artifacts and/or pictures and use them for a brief "show and tell" activity. 

• "Five Senses" Imaginary Nature Walk: Students will use their five senses to take an imaginary "walk" through a natural setting and think about how the setting makes them feel. Elizabeth will introduce the Japanese concept of "forest bathing" as a technique for relaxation and meditation. 

Interactive Read Aloud: Elizabeth will conduct an interactive read aloud of her book, Day S Eye. Students will be prompted to use sound effects and movements to act out the events Of the book. Elizabeth will then facilitate a discussion about the book's deeper meaning. She will prompt students to express their thoughts and feelings about how the daisy in the story persisted through challenges. This leads to a discussion about sunny times and stormy times in students' own lives. Elizabeth will ask students to draw a comparison between the daisy and their own ability to use both inner resources and external supports from "helpers" (i.e., friends and trusted adults). She will help students connect the daisy's resilience to skills and resources they can use to cope with struggles and anxieties in their own lives. 

Age-Appropriale Craft: Elizabeth has a variety of age—appropriate daisy crafts that children can make and take, along with daisy stickers. Each child will receive a small packet of wildflower seeds to plant at home to be reminded of their own strength and courage like the daisy in Day Eye. 

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards:

English Language Arts: 

• Responding to literature 

• Comprehension and Collaboration (speaking and listening) 

• Presentation of knowledge of ideas (speaking and listening) 

• Vocabulary acquisition and use 

Learning Standards for the Arts: 

• Creating (imagine, plan, make, envision, develop) 

• Responding (reflect, interpret, evaluate, critique) 

• Connecting (relate artistic ideas with societal, cultural & historical context) 

New York State Social Emotional Leaming Benchmarks 

Goal 1 : Young people develop a self-awareness that nurtures and affirms a strong sense of identity, informs decisions about their actions, and builds a sense of agency 

Goal 2: Young people use social awareness and interpersonal skills to establish, navigate, and maintain mutually supportive relationships with individuals and groups that nurture a strong sense of belonging. 

Goal 3: Young people demonstrate intentional decision-making skills and behaviors that consider social, emotional, and physical safety and well-being in personal, school, and community contexts. 

New York State Framework for Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Education 

• Welcoming & Affirming Environment (Social & Emotional Learning Programs) 

Animals / Environmental Education / Farms / Nature / Author / Art / Poetry / Storytelling / Wellness / Life Skills / Bully Prevention / Character Education 

Cost:

$750 per day 

$375 One performance/read aloud 

Two nearby schools can split up a day and receive two 45-minute presentations each for $375 each