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MAXIMize the Moment Junior Volume 2, Issue 3

MAXIMize the Moment Junior Volume 2, Issue 3

September 16, 2002
Document
Topic: 
MAXIMize the Moment
Ethical Value: 
Friendship
Ethical Value: 
Making friends
Ethical Value: 
Kindness
Age Range: 
8-10

Story

I'm sitting at the lunch table with the same kids I've been friends with since first grade. The new kid, Mustafa, is sitting by himself at the table next to us. I feel like I should invite him to sit with us and mention the idea to my friends.

Alan responds, "He can't even speak English really well, so I don't know what you're going to say."

I don't know either, but I want to say something. I remember what it felt like to be the new kid. When I first moved to this school and didn't know anyone, it was just awful. Things only got better because Eric was really friendly and picked me to be on his team at recess. Everything would still be really hard if Eric hadn't talked to me back then. And it's probably even harder for Mustafa since he's doesn't know a lot of English.

We all decide to head out to the playground to play a quick game of basketball. I'm one of the captains. This would be a really easy way to include the new boy. Alan may think I'm weird for picking the new boy instead of him, but I don't want Mustafa to feel left out anymore. It's like my mom always says, "The only way to have a friend is to be one." Just like Eric helped me make friends, maybe I can help this new boy-and gain a new friend in the process!  

Teacher Information

Maxim

  • "The only way to have a friend is to be one."
    Ralph Waldo Emerson

Featured character trait

  • Empathy-I am able to see the world through others' eyes and feel what they are feeling.

Character points (for substitution if this week's trait isn't one of your school's core values)

  • Caring-I recognize that my actions affect others and I try to do what is best for them.
  • Compassion-I am aware of the hurts of others and I try to help them.
  • Kindness-I try to be loving and helpful to others.
  • Concern for others-I care about others and want them to be happy.
  • Love-I try to do what is best for others because I really care about them.
  • Sensitivity - I am aware of the needs and feelings of others.

Discussion starters / journal writing prompts

  • Do you think kids here are "kind" to each other? How are they? How aren't they?
  • What are ways you can help someone who is feeling left out and lonely?
  • Put yourself in the shoes of the new student. What must it be like for him?
  • Alan doesn't even know Mustafa, so he thinks the new boy is "weird." Why do you think people make judgments and mean comments about people before they even know them?
  • Have you ever had someone make a quick judgment about you? How did it make you feel?
    Have you ever quickly judged someone and later found out you were wrong?
  • What is so dangerous about making quick judgments about others-especially people you don't know?
  • If everyone at this school were as friendly and welcoming as Eric and the narrator I this story, what would it be like?
  • Do you think it's true that the best way to make a friend is by being one?
    What do you think it means to "be a friend?"

Related Links

Extending the Conversation

Remind your students that each of them is unique and special. Give students a few minutes to write down a list of qualities they feel make them unique and special. Then, go around the room and have each student list one of the things on his/her list. No one can say the same answer as anyone else. Then, go back around the room in the opposite direction. By the end, each student will have shared two unique and wonderful qualities about him/herself. Even kids who've known each other for years will probably find out something new about each other.