Activities

Give Generously Activity 1: Write a Poem    https://sites.google.com/site/valueslessons

Choose two students to take turns reading the following poem to each other, alternating each line: I’ll give you the sun to shine in your morning. I’ll give you the moon as shiny as silver. I’ll give you the trees standing tall and strong. I’ll give you the flowers with petals like jewels. I’ll give you the sky as blue as the ocean. I’ll give you the clouds as fluffy as candyfloss. (cotton candy) I’ll give you the wind blowing strong and powerful. I’ll give you the stars twinkling like diamonds. (Both) I’ll give you my friendship, but you must promise to value it. ~ Jenna, aged 11.

Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27ll_Give_You_the_Sun 

Activity

Have the students write a similar poem in a card, illustrate it and give it to someone whom they feel would be encouraged by it.

Give Generously Activity 2: Christmas Shoeboxes (Collected each October)

If Christmas shoeboxes is a new idea to you, for a brief summary go to:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/rodney-times/2870342/Shoebox-gifts-start-giving-season

Introduction

Every year in October, kids from countries like ours pack small gifts into a shoebox wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper. These shoeboxes are given to kids in poor countries whose parents can't afford to buy them Christmas presents.

Watch the Movie (half a minute) of Solomon Islands kids opening their Christmas Shoeboxes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyyvzpJbSvE

Lesson

Who would love to get a box like that? Imagine how exciting it would be for poor kids, kids who have almost no toys or Christmas gifts, to receive a whole boxful! Who would like to help to fill a box?

Our class is going to divide into groups (of 2-5) and each group will fill a shoebox, giving a special Christmas treat to a poor child. 

What would be some good ideas for gifts? (Write a list)

What are things to not put in, and why not? (Write a list)

As well as filling a box, we'll also need to give another $9. Does anyone know what this is to pay for? (shipping)

(If the kids are unlikely to be able to afford this project, take ideas on how to fund it.)

Planning Questions:1. What's the first thing we'll need to do? (Form groups) 2. What's next? (Choose how to get the box. Will they pack a box for a girl or a boy, and which age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14.) 3. What's next? (Work out how you can get the money you will need.) 4. What could you put into your box? (Make sure each box contains a variety of gifts including toothbrush and toothpaste, soap and a flannel (facecloth) or small hand towel, stationery, sweets, a main toy etc.)Prepare the Box

Have a lesson where the boxes are covered with Christmas wrapping paper. The lids need to be wrapped separately. They will be held on by a rubber band.

You Tube has a 5 minute clip showing an easy way to wrap the boxes that uses less paper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNJ1qgb4VkA

Fill the Box

The items must be, or look, brand new. The students may hand-make items, like loom band bracelets or even knit hats. 

Here's 101 ideas of what to put into the boxes: http://faithfulprovisions.com/101-operation-christmas-child-shoebox-ideas/ 

Some more ideas: http://faithfulprovisions.com/filling-your-christmas-box-ideas-to-pack-the-space/ 

Write a Christmas card or letter to the child, perhaps include a photo of the group. 

Put the $9 shipping money in an envelope and place it inside on top. Secure with a strong rubber band and take the boxes to the collection point. Consider taking a few of the most enthusiastic pupils along too. Find out the destination for their gift boxes. Finally, search for a movie on You Tube of kids from that country opening boxes, to show your students. Some countries, like USA, have optional extra tracking available for a small fee, to track where the boxes go. Deliver the Boxes to:The organisation collecting and distributing shoeboxes is Samaritan's Purse: Operation Christmas Child. Boxes are collected each October. Ring Samaritan's Purse to find one near you: NZ 0800684300

NZ and Australian Website: https://www.samaritanspurse.org.au/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

USA: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

UK: https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

How it began

Watch this 6 minute movie to see how Operation Christmas Child began in 1990, helping orphans in Romania: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t3UqmE1i-E

How to and what to put in your shoebox

Here's a link to their official site: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box/

Image sources: http://images.clipartpanda.com/emphasis-clipart-3B6_write.jpg;  http://nlcf.net/site/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/shoebox.jpg; http://harvestpres.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/shoebox_8644c.jpg;https://i.pinimg.com/736x/a6/0d/fd/a60dfd943b9e26d41ecab9b795662e3e--christmas-shoebox-christmas-ideas.jpg