Unit 4 Skills Building: Boy

Skills Building: Boy (PK-5)

Written by Phil Cummings and illustrated by Shane Devries

Pre Reading Questions

What are some ways that we can communicate without using our voices?
Why is good communication important? What happens when we don’t communicate well and do not listen to others?
Do you know anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing and uses American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate? Have you ever tried communicating with them?
How do you feel when you cannot understand someone else? How do you think others feel when they cannot understand you?

Post Reading Questions

What happened when the dragons, the king, and soldiers stopped fighting and started listening to each other?
Have you ever had a misunderstanding with someone that turned into a fight or argument? How did it feel? How could you and the other person have prevented the fight?
The villagers say “thank you” to the boy in sign language at the end of the book by putting their hand to their chin and pulling it out (see images below). Practice saying “thank you” in American Sign Language with the person sitting next to you. Download ASL alphabet.

Creative Enrichment Activity: Dragon Paper Bag Puppets (Pre-K-2)

Overview: From the moment we are born, we communicate with others. However, sometimes even grown-ups can have trouble knowing how to communicate our emotions. We all need to practice! In this activity, students will create Dragon Paper Bag Puppets to practice communicating in a positive and effective way.

Materials

● Dragon Template print out (1 dragon per student). Download template.
● Markers, crayons or colored pencils
● Scissors
● Glue stick
● Brown paper bags (1 per student)

Duration: 40 minutes

● 3 minutes: Explain Activity and Pass Out Templates
● 10 minutes: Color Templates
● 10 minutes: Assemble Dragons
● 5 minutes: Clean Up
● 7 minutes: Communication Practice
● 5 minutes: Reflect

Instructions

Before the activity, print dragon templates on white computer paper. Cut pages in half. Lay out materials on the “Materials Table” away from the student work area.
Gather students at tables and discuss various ways that we communicate our feelings (talking, sign language, babies crying, phones, written word, etc.).
Explain the purpose of this activity and give instructions.
Next, pass out the dragon templates to students. Each student will need 1 dragon.
Using markers, colored pencils or crayons, have students color their dragon. Encourage them to use a variety of colors that represent them.
When students are finished coloring, have them cut out their dragon on the thick black outline. They will also cut the thick black line through the mouth of the dragon to separate the top of the dragon from the bottom. (Note: Staff may need to help with this step.)
Glue the top of the dragon head to the bottom of the paper bag and the body to the side so that when used, the dragon will look like it is talking.
Ask students to write their names on the back of their puppets.
If students finish early, allow them to decorate the rest of their paper bag.
Clean up all supplies and assign students into pairs. (Note: Try to group friends together so that everyone feels comfortable sharing.)
Next, allow students to use their dragons to practice communicating back and forth about their feelings using the following prompts and “I” statements (Note: Remind students that when sharing our feelings, we talk about ourselves and our experiences, not the experiences of others.)
- I feel happy when…
- I feel angry when…
- I feel sad when…
- I feel afraid when…
- I feel calm when…
After both partners have practiced communicating using “I” statements, gather the whole group for reflection.

Reflection Questions

Share out some of the “I” statements that you learned.
What did this activity teach you about communication?
What is the most difficult thing about communicating your feelings?
How can we practice sharing our feelings more with our family and friends?
What did you enjoy most about this activity?

Creative Enrichment Activity: Dragon Clothespin Puppets (3-5)

Overview: From the moment we are born, we communicate with others. However, sometimes even grown-ups can have trouble knowing how to communicate our emotions. We all need to practice! In this activity, students will create Dragon Clothespin Puppets to practice communicating in a positive and effective way.

Materials

● Dragon Template print out (1 dragon per student). Download template.
● Markers, crayons or colored pencils
● Scissors
● White liquid glue
● Clothespins

Duration: 40 minutes

● 3 minutes: Explain Activity and Pass Out Templates
● 10 minutes: Color Templates
● 2 minutes: Clean Up
● 10 minutes: Assemble Dragons
● 3 minutes: Clean Up
● 7 minutes: Communication Practice
● 5 minutes: Reflect

Instructions

Before the activity, print Dragon Templates on white computer paper or cardstock. Cut templates in half. Lay out materials on the Materials Table away from the student work area.
Gather students at tables and discuss various ways that we communicate our feelings (talking, sign language, babies crying, phones, written word, etc.).
Explain the purpose of this activity and give instructions.
Next, pass out the dragon templates to students. Each student will only need 1 dragon.
Using markers, colored pencils or crayons, have students color their dragon. Encourage them to use a variety of colors that represent them.
Clean up the markers, colored pencils or crayons and put away.
Hand out scissors and pencils.
Have students cut out their dragon on the thick black outline. They will also cut the thick black line through the mouth of the dragon to separate the top of the dragon from the bottom.
Using a pencil, have students write their name on the back of their pieces (they should have two; one top and one bottom).
Glue dragon pieces onto the clothespin with the mouth facing the opening of the clothespin, which will allow their dragon to talk.
Let the dragons dry while students clean up and find a partner.
Next, allow students to use their dragons to practice communicating back and forth about their feelings using the following prompts and “I” statements. (Note: Remind students that when sharing our feelings, we talk about ourselves and our experiences, not the experiences of others.)
- I feel happy when
- I feel angry when
- I feel sad when…
- I feel afraid when
- I feel calm when…
After both partners have practiced communicating using “I” statements, gather the whole group for reflection.

Reflection Questions

Share out some of the “I” statements that you practiced.
What did this activity teach you about communication?
When are some times that communicating is more difficult? Is there someone that you have a hard time communicating with?
How can we practice sharing our feelings more with our family and friends?
What did you enjoy most about this activity?

Skills Building: Boy (PK-5)

Creative Enrichment Activity: Dragon Paper Bag Puppets (Pre-K-2)

Creative Enrichment Activity: Dragon Clothespin Puppets (3-5)

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