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Lesson Plan: Molly Lou Melon's Magnificent Voice Week

Book: Speak Up, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
Art & Craft Supplies: Construction paper (various colors), white paper, crayons, markers, child-safe scissors, glue stick, tape
Recycled Materials: 1-2 empty toilet paper or paper towel tubes, one empty shoebox, aluminum foil
Miscellaneous: Craft sticks (or straws/pencils), pom-poms, pipe cleaners, stickers (optional)

By the end of this week, the student will be able to:

Identify and describe the main character's defining trait (her voice and bravery).
Practice using their own voice in different ways (loud, soft, brave).
Role-play scenarios that involve speaking up for oneself or others.
Generate and illustrate examples of kind and helpful actions.
Confidently share their own ideas and stories in a supportive environment.

Focus: Introduction to the story and exploring our own voices.

Opening (10 minutes): Read Speak Up, Molly Lou Melon aloud with enthusiasm. Pause to look at the illustrations and ask simple questions like, "How do you think Molly Lou feels here?" or "What do you notice about her smile?"
Main Activity (15 minutes): Brave Voice Microphone Craft
1. Take an empty toilet paper tube. Let the student decorate it with markers, crayons, or construction paper.
2. Crumple a piece of aluminum foil into a ball and tape or glue it to the top of the tube to create the "microphone."
3. Practice using the microphone. Say hello in a tiny mouse voice. Say hello in a big lion voice. Then, practice saying, "My name is [Student's Name] and I have important things to say!" in a clear, brave voice, just like Molly Lou.
Check for Understanding (5 minutes): Ask the student, "What was special about Molly Lou's voice?" and "When is it good to use a brave voice?" Keep the microphone handy for the rest of the week.

Focus: Understanding the difference between tattling and speaking up to help someone.

Opening (5 minutes): Re-read the part of the book where Molly Lou speaks up for the little boy with the toy car and for the girl in the polka-dot dress. Discuss how Ronald Durkin was making others feel sad.
Main Activity (15-20 minutes): Puppet Role-Play
1. Quickly make simple puppets by drawing faces on paper circles and gluing them to craft sticks. Make a Molly Lou, a Ronald, and another friend puppet.
2. Use the puppets to act out a simple scenario. For example: The Ronald puppet takes a crayon from the friend puppet.
3. Ask the student: "What should the Molly Lou puppet do?" Guide them to use the Molly Lou puppet to say something like, "Stop that, Ronald. It's not kind to take things. Please give the crayon back."
4. Try another scenario, like the Ronald puppet saying the friend's drawing is silly. Practice speaking up with kindness.
Check for Understanding (5 minutes): Discuss the role-play. Ask, "How did it feel to help the friend puppet?" and "Was Molly Lou being mean or being a helper when she spoke up?"

Focus: Brainstorming and celebrating kind actions.

Opening (5 minutes): Talk about how Molly Lou’s words weren’t just for stopping unkindness; they were also for including others and being a good friend.
Main Activity (20 minutes): Kindness Garden Craft
1. Tape a large piece of green construction paper to a wall or table. This is the "garden."
2. Cut out flower shapes from different colors of construction paper. Cut out small circles for the flower centers.
3. On the center of each flower, ask the student to name a kind thing they can do for someone (e.g., "share my toys," "give a hug," "help clean up," "say something nice"). Write their idea down or have them draw a simple picture of it.
4. Glue the flower center onto the petals and "plant" the flower in the garden with a glue stick. Add pipe cleaner stems if you wish!
Check for Understanding (5 minutes): Admire the garden together. Ask, "Which kind act do you want to try to do today?" and "How does being kind help others feel?"

Focus: Valuing and sharing our own unique thoughts.

Opening (5 minutes): Remind the student that Molly Lou used her voice to share her thoughts. Explain that everyone's thoughts are important and worth sharing.
Main Activity (15 minutes): Decorate a "Voice Box"
1. Provide an empty shoebox and lots of craft supplies (paper, stickers, pom-poms, markers).
2. Explain that this is a special "Voice Box" for all of their amazing ideas. Let the student decorate it however they wish.
3. Cut some paper into small slips. Throughout the day, encourage the student to put their ideas into the box. They can draw a picture of an invention, a story idea, a feeling they have, or a question they are wondering about. For a 5-year-old, this will likely be drawings or you can help them write a word or two.
Check for Understanding (End of day): Before bed or during dinner, open the Voice Box together. Let the student pull out each slip and tell you about their idea or drawing. Treat each one as important and interesting. This activity validates their voice and creativity.

Focus: Applying the week's skills in a fun, culminating activity.

Opening (5 minutes): Review the week. Look at the microphone, the kindness garden, and the voice box. Talk about all the ways Molly Lou used her voice and how the student has practiced using theirs.
Main Activity (15 minutes): Molly Lou's Show and Tell
1. Ask the student to choose one special thing they want to share (a favorite toy, a drawing they made, a book, etc.).
2. Give them their "Brave Voice Microphone" from Monday.
3. Have them stand up and present their item. Prompt them with questions if needed: "What is its name?" "Why is it special to you?" "What is your favorite thing to do with it?"
4. Give them a big round of applause when they are finished. You can take a turn and do show-and-tell, too!
Wrap-up & Assessment (5 minutes): Celebrate a great week! Ask, "What was your favorite thing we did this week?" and "What is one thing you learned from Molly Lou Melon?" Add one final flower to the "Kindness Garden" for "Being Brave and Sharing Our Voice."

Speak Up, Molly Lou Melon Lesson Plan: 5 Days of Kindness & Bravery Activities