By the end of this lesson, students will:
Understand that change is a natural and inevitable part of life.
Recognize how change can lead to personal growth and new opportunities.
Develop a positive attitude towards change.
Share and reflect on personal experiences of change.
Let’s start with something interesting. Think about how you’re different today compared to last year.
Maybe you:
All of these are changes! Some happened so slowly you barely noticed, while others might have felt like big jumps.
Let’s play a quick game called “Change Connections.” I’m going to write the word “CHANGE” in the middle of our paper, and I want you to tell me any words, feelings, or ideas that pop into your head when you think about change. There are no wrong answers!
Some people might say:
Look at all these different ways we think about change! Notice how some words might feel uncomfortable, while others sound more exciting? That’s perfectly normal. Change can feel like both a challenge and an opportunity.
Here’s something cool to think about: Right now, as we’re talking, you’re changing! Your brain is making new connections, you’re learning new ideas, and you’re growing in ways you can’t even see.
What’s the biggest change you’ve noticed in yourself recently? How did it feel when you first noticed it?
Teaching Note: This opening activity helps students recognize that change is already a constant part of their lives, setting up the deeper exploration to come. Their responses provide insights into their current attitudes toward change.
Today we’re going to play a fun game called “Change Theater” where we’ll act out different kinds of changes that happen in our lives. It’s like being in a silent movie – we’ll use actions but no words!
First, let’s look at our “Change Cards.”
Each card shows a different kind of change that kids your age might experience:
Card 1: Starting at a new school
– How would you show:
* Walking into a new classroom?
* Meeting new people?
* Finding your way around?
Card 2: Learning to ride a bike
– How would you show:
* Getting on the bike?
* Wobbling and balancing?
* Finally riding successfully?
Card 3: Getting a new family pet
– How would you show:
* Meeting the pet?
* Learning to take care of it?
* Playing with your new friend?
Let’s take turns acting these out! I’ll try to guess what kind of change you’re showing, and then we can switch roles. After each one, let’s talk about:
– What feelings might come with this change?
– What good things could happen?
– What might be challenging?
For example, if I act out “trying a new food”:
– First, I might look unsure
– Then take a tiny taste
– Maybe make a surprised face
– End with a big smile
Your turn! Pick a card and show me what that change looks like. Remember – no words, just actions!
Can you think of your own change scenario to act out? Something that happened to you or someone you know?
Teaching Note: This activity helps students recognize that changes come in many forms and can lead to both challenges and opportunities. The acting element makes it fun while encouraging empathy and understanding of different perspectives on change.
Let me tell you about a young caterpillar named Marcus. Marcus loved his life – munching on juicy green leaves, hanging out with his caterpillar friends, and inching along branches in the warm sunshine. Every day was pretty much the same, and that’s exactly how Marcus liked it.
But one day, something felt different. Marcus had this strange feeling inside, like he needed to do something he’d never done before. His body was telling him it was time to build something called a cocoon.
“A cocoon?” Marcus thought nervously. “But I like being a caterpillar! What if I mess it up? What if I don’t know how to do it? What if something goes wrong?”
Marcus talked to his mom about his worries.
“Everyone feels nervous about big changes,” she said gently. “But this is part of growing up. Trust yourself – your body knows what to do.“
Still feeling scared but trying to be brave, Marcus started building his cocoon. It was like his body knew exactly what to do, even though his mind was full of questions. Soon, he was wrapped up tight in his silky new home.
Inside the cocoon, everything felt strange and different. Marcus couldn’t see what was happening, but he could feel himself changing. Sometimes it felt uncomfortable, but somehow he knew this was exactly what was supposed to happen.
Then one day, Marcus felt something new – an urge to push out of the cocoon. It wasn’t easy, but he kept trying until finally… he emerged! But he wasn’t a caterpillar anymore. He had beautiful wings with amazing patterns!
At first, Marcus felt wobbly and unsure. “What do I do with these wings?” he wondered. But just like with the cocoon, his body seemed to know. He started to flutter them gently, then more strongly, and suddenly he was flying!
Flying was nothing like crawling on branches. Marcus could see the whole garden from up high – flowers he never knew existed, other butterflies soaring through the air, and views he never imagined possible when he was a caterpillar.
Looking back at his empty cocoon, Marcus realized something important: if he hadn’t been willing to go through that big change, he never would have discovered how amazing it felt to fly.
What do you think about Marcus’s story? Have you ever felt like him – nervous about a change but discovering something wonderful on the other side? What’s your favorite part about how Marcus handled his big change?
Teaching Note: This story helps students see how change, though sometimes scary, can lead to amazing new experiences and abilities they didn’t know they had.
Have you ever wondered why things don’t just stay the same? Let’s explore why change is such an important part of life!
Think about a tree. Does it stay tiny forever? No way! It grows taller, grows new leaves, loses old ones, and changes with the seasons. Just like that tree, we’re always changing too!
Why Does Change Happen?
– To help us grow (like getting taller or learning new things)
– To let us try new experiences (like tasting different foods or making new friends)
– To make room for new adventures (like starting a new grade or learning a new sport)
– To help us become who we’re meant to be (like developing our talents and interests)
Let me tell you about someone who embraced change in a really cool way. Did you know that Walt Disney was fired from his first job at a newspaper because they thought he “lacked imagination”? Instead of giving up, he saw this change as a chance to try something new. He started drawing cartoons and eventually created Mickey Mouse and Disneyland!
Three Important Things About Change:
1. Change is Normal
– Everything in nature changes
– People change and grow
– The world around us changes
2. Change Helps Us Grow
– We learn new things
– We get stronger
– We discover what we’re good at
– We find out what we like
3. Change Can Be Good (Even When It Feels Hard)
– Like learning to ride a bike – wobbly at first but fun once you get it!
– Like meeting new friends – scary at first but wonderful later
– Like trying a new food – strange at first but maybe your new favorite!
Here’s something cool to try: Next time you notice something changing, instead of thinking “Oh no!”, try thinking “I wonder what exciting thing might happen next?” It’s like turning a scary monster into an interesting mystery!
What changes have you noticed happening in your life that ended up being better than you expected?
Teaching Note: Help students see change as a natural and positive part of life, using examples they can relate to from their own experiences.
Think about a change that happened to you recently.
Maybe it was:
Let’s write about it in your journal.
Here’s what to think about:
Before the Change:
During the Change:
After the Change:
Write your thoughts starting with:
“A change I experienced was…“
“At first I felt…“
“Now I know…“
Take your time writing these thoughts down. They’re like a snapshot of your growth journey!
Would you like to share what you wrote? Sometimes hearing how others handle change helps us feel better about our own experiences.
Teaching Note: This reflection helps students process their personal experiences with change and recognize their own resilience and growth. It builds confidence for facing future changes.
Let’s create something special – a tree that shows all the positive changes in your life! Think of it as your own personal “growth chart,” but instead of just showing how tall you’ve gotten, it shows all the ways you’ve grown.
First, let’s draw our tree:
– A strong trunk to represent you
– Big branches reaching out in different directions
– Empty spaces for our “change leaves”
Now, let’s make some colorful leaves. On each leaf, we’ll write a positive change that’s happened in your life. These could be:
– Skills you’ve learned (“I can now ride a bike”)
– New experiences (“I tried sushi for the first time”)
– Personal growth (“I’m better at making friends”)
– Things you’ve accomplished (“I learned to play guitar”)
– Ways you’ve helped others (“I taught my little sister to read”)
Let’s add these leaves to our tree one by one. As we place each leaf, tell me:
– How did this change happen?
– What made it positive?
– Who helped you with this change?
Watch how our tree gets fuller and more beautiful with each change we add!
Here’s something cool to think about: Just like a real tree keeps growing and adding new leaves, you’ll keep growing and experiencing new changes too. Let’s leave some empty spaces for future changes you want to make.
Would you like to take your Change Tree home? You can keep adding to it whenever something new and positive happens in your life!
Teaching Note: This activity helps students visualize change as growth and development, creating a positive association with life changes. The tree serves as a tangible reminder of their resilience and achievements.
Here’s what we discovered today:
Over the next week, become a “Change Detective.” Notice changes happening around you:
Create a “Change Collage” at home using:
This will help you see how many positive changes are happening in your life!
When we meet next time, we’ll explore something really exciting – discovering your unique talents and special abilities. Bring your Change Collage – I’d love to see all the changes you’ve noticed!
Remember our special saying:
“Change is like turning a page in your story – you never know what amazing adventures await on the next page!“
Teaching Note: This wrap-up reinforces the positive aspects of change while building anticipation for the next lesson about personal potential. The take-home activity encourages ongoing awareness of change as a natural and beneficial part of life.
Verse 1:
Like Marcus in his cocoon
Feeling something new too soon
Growing, changing day by day
In a quiet, gentle way
Every leaf and every tree
Shows the change that’s meant to be
Pre-Chorus:
Let it flow, let it show
(Watch it take you where you’ll go)
Something new starts to shine
(Growing stronger all the time)
Chorus:
Change is like the morning light
Breaking through the darkest night
Sometimes scary, sometimes slow
But that’s how we learn to grow
Like a tree reaching high
Adding leaves toward the sky
Every change has its part
In the story of our hearts
Verse 2:
Yesterday we couldn’t ride
Now our bikes fly side by side
Skills we learn and friends we make
Show the journey we can take
Changes come and changes go
Teaching us the things we know
(Pre-Chorus)
(Chorus)
Bridge:
Look how far we’ve come
See the path we’ve made
Every step along the way
Helps us find our way today
(Chorus)
Outro:
Like a page that’s turning new
Stories waiting to come through
Change is just another name
For how we learn to play life’s game
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