Lesson Plan: J Shawn's First Day Adventure! Building a Super Character

Materials Needed:

• Book: The Cool Bean by Jory John or Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud
• Arts & Crafts: Paper plate, yarn or string, colorful beads, hole punch, crayons or markers, child-safe scissors
• Writing: Large sheet of paper or poster board, markers, pencil, writing notebook
• Physical Education: Couch cushions or pillows, a small stool or ottoman, a soft ball or stuffed animal, a laundry basket
• Character Building Prop: A clear jar ("Kindness Jar") and small, colorful pom-poms or marbles

Lesson Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, J Shawn will be able to:

• Identify at least two positive character traits (like kindness and helping).
• Participate in a story and connect its theme to his own actions.
• Create a piece of art that represents the day's character-building theme.
• Practice pre-writing skills by tracing letters and writing his name.
• Engage in a physical activity that creatively links movement to the concept of being helpful.

Lesson Activities

Part 1: Morning Welcome - The Super Character Kick-Off (10 minutes)

Focus: Introduction to Character

Let's start our first day by talking about what makes someone a really good person, like a superhero! Superheroes are not just strong; they are also kind and helpful. Today, we're going to learn how to be a "Super Character"!

1. Discussion: Ask J Shawn, "What are some nice things friends do for each other?" (Share, play together, give hugs, etc.).
2. Introduce the Kindness Jar: Show him the empty jar. Explain, "This is our Kindness Jar. Every time you do something kind or helpful today—and every day—we will add a pom-pom. We will watch the kindness fill up the jar!"
3. First Kind Act: Start by giving him a pom-pom for starting his first day of school with a great attitude. Let him be the first one to put it in the jar.

Part 2: Reading Time - Story Power! (15 minutes)

Focus: Reading Comprehension and Empathy

Super Characters learn from stories. Let's read a book to see how characters practice being kind and brave.

1. Read Aloud: Read the chosen book (e.g., The Cool Bean). Use expressive voices for the different characters.
2. Interactive Questions: Pause during the story to ask engaging questions.
   • "How do you think that bean felt when he was all alone?"
   • "What did the other beans do that was a kind thing?"
   • "What would you do to help?"
3. Connect to Real Life: After the story, say, "See? The beans showed they were Super Characters by helping their friend. We can do that too!" Add another pom-pom to the Kindness Jar for being such a good listener.

Part 3: Arts & Crafts - My Kindness Catcher (20-25 minutes)

Focus: Creativity and Fine Motor Skills

Now, let's make something to remind us to "catch" opportunities to be kind all year long!

1. Decorate the Plate: Give J Shawn the paper plate and let him decorate it with markers or crayons. Encourage him to draw pictures of kind actions: sharing a toy, petting an animal gently, or giving a flower.
2. Create the Web: Help him use the hole punch to make holes around the edge of the plate. Let him thread yarn through the holes to create a web. This is great practice for fine motor skills.
3. Add Character Beads: Let J Shawn string beads onto the yarn. You can assign a meaning to each color. For example:
   • Blue Bead: For being helpful.
   • Yellow Bead: For sharing.
   • Red Bead: For using kind words.
4. Display Your Work: Hang the finished "Kindness Catcher" in his learning space as a beautiful, daily reminder of his goal to be a Super Character.

Part 4: Writing - My Super Character Pledge (15 minutes)

Focus: Writing and Personal Commitment

Every superhero has a mission. Let's write down our mission for the school year. This will be your special pledge!

1. Brainstorm the Pledge: On the large poster board, work together to create a simple, positive pledge. For example: "I, J Shawn, will be kind. I will help others. I will try my best."
2. Trace the Words: Write the pledge in large, dotted letters that are easy to trace. Have J Shawn trace over them with a marker. This helps with letter recognition and formation without the pressure of writing from scratch.
3. Sign Your Name: At the bottom, encourage him to sign his name. It's okay if it's just the first letter or a scribble—it's his unique signature!
4. Draw Your Portrait: Let him draw a picture of himself as a "Super Character" right next to his pledge.

Part 5: Physical Education - The Helpful Hero Obstacle Course (20 minutes)

Focus: Gross Motor Skills and Creative Play

Super Characters need to be strong and quick to help others! Let's train on the Helpful Hero Obstacle Course.

1. Mission 1: Cross the Wobbly Bridge: Lay pillows or cushions on the floor. J Shawn must walk or crawl across them without touching the "hot lava" floor to deliver a message to a friend.
2. Mission 2: Rescue the Animal: Place a stuffed animal on top of a small stool. His mission is to safely climb onto the stool, rescue the animal, and climb down carefully.
3. Mission 3: Deliver the Food: He must take the "rescued" stuffed animal (or a soft ball) and toss it into the laundry basket "village" that needs food.
4. Mission 4: Victory Lap: After completing all the missions, he gets to run a victory lap around the room! Celebrate his effort and helpfulness.

Wrap-Up: First Day Celebration (5 minutes)

Focus: Reflection and Positive Reinforcement

Let's review our amazing first day as a Super Character!

• Show and Tell: Ask J Shawn to show you his Kindness Catcher and read his pledge (with your help).
• Reflect: Ask, "What was your favorite part of being a hero today?" and "What is one kind thing you want to do tomorrow?"
• Celebrate: Count the pom-poms in the Kindness Jar together. Celebrate all the kindness he showed on his very first day of school. Great job, J Shawn!