Power of Words
Watch your Words Lesson © Jenny Jenkins 2015 www.valueslessonsnz.com
Have the slogan 'Watch your Words' displayed in a prominent place. Other lesson ideas about speaking wisely are listed as subpages at the side or bottom.
Introduction
Today we’re going to learn about the power of our words. Who has heard this saying, 'Sticks and stones will break your bones but names will never hurt you.' Is this true?
If you get hit by a stick and it breaks your arm, how long do you have to have a plaster cast on before it heals? (6 weeks)
If someone that you love calls you stupid and you get upset, how long before your hurt feelings get healed? Ever?
What does this saying mean? 'Your words can bring death or life.
Those who love to talk will reap the consequences.'
What are the consequences for saying kind words? What are the consequences of saying unkind words?
What kind of words do you want to say? Image source: https://livingtoencourage.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/words.jpg?w=756&h=449&crop=1
Lesson
Draw 4 pictures: dumbbell, thought bubbles, shoes, lips with finger going 'Shhh!' 1. Point to the picture of dumbbell. What does this show us about our words? Our words have power! They can affect the way people feel. They can make others feel ____, or they can make others feel ___. (good/bad). What kind of words do you want coming out of your mouth? 2. Point to the picture of thought bubbles. What does this show us we should do?
Always think before you speak. (Thought bubbles) When you get annoyed or upset, stop and think to yourself, “Are the words I want to say the best words I can choose? Are they kind? Will they help?”
3. Point to the picture of shoes. What do these remind us about our words?
Before you speak, always put yourself in the other person’s shoes. How would you feel if someone said those words to you?
4. Point to the picture of lips. What do these show us about our words?
The power of silence. (Shhh!) There is an old saying: 'If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.' (Have the pupils repeat this 3 times, saying shhh after each time until they are lip syncing the last words.)
When you can feel yourself getting annoyed and know something mean is about to come out of your mouth, then choose to be silent. (Shhh!)
This Week's Challenge
Think of the person who most annoys you. This week try especially hard to use kind words on them. Report back next week on any changes you notice in them or in you.
Begin the Next Lesson with Revision
1. Who remembers what we learned last lesson? (Watch your words.) What does it mean?
2. Who can tell me about a time this week when you chose to encourage the person who most annoys you. Did you notice any changes in them or you? (See Challenge above)
3. Remember the saying we learnt? (Let the children finish each line) Your words can bring... (death or life.) Those who love to talk will... (reap the consequences)
4. What might be the consequences for saying kind words?
5. What might be the consequences of saying hurtful words?
6. What do these mean? (Show pictures) Dumbbell, Thought bubbles, Cartoon shoes, Shhh!
Poster
Print out this image as a poster: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/0e/8d/c9/0e8dc9d10934fdb487f27b80c88709fc.jpg