Helping Hands Unit

Books

Make A Hand Print Quilt
Each child will need two white 8 inch squares of paper.  The children will  place
their hands in either tempera paint or a large colored ink pad to create handprint.
 Use the same colored marker as color paint used to print name at bottom of
square.  On the other white square the children will dictate or write a statement
telling something they can do.  Begin with the words  "I can . . . "  As a class
activity, lay the squares on the floor and discuss several patterns or ways to
arrange the quilt.  When you are satisfied with the arrangement, transfer the quilt
to the wall or a bulletin  board.

The Kissing Hand is wonderful story about a little
raccoon that shares with his mother his fears of
starting school.

Return to Thematic Units

I use this unit to introduce my students to
helpers in our school. (teachers and staff)  We
also focus on cooperation in the classroom
and family.  It could also be expanded to the
neighborhood and community.

All by Myself by Mercer Mayer
Mind Your Manners by Peggy Parish
The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners by Stan and Jan Berenstain
People at Word by Bobbie Kalman
There's Lots I Can Do by Kathleen M. Harte
Jobs People Do by Christopher Maynard
The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown
Can I Help? by Anne and Harlow Rockwell
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Activities

Family Banners
Introduce students' families to the class with this take-home project.
Give each student a piece of butcher paper (18x24) should be large enough.  At
home, students and their family members trace, color, and label handprints on
the paper given.  Completed banners are returned to school and posted
or each student could show his/her family banner to the class.

Make a Big Book of School Helpers
Take a tour of your school and introduce the students to the other staff members
in the school.  We take pictures of the gym teacher, cooks, paras that work in
our classroom, etc.    The children work in small groups to draw the jobs of the
helpers in our school.  The pictures are then bound to make a classroom big
book.

Make a Hand Print Mural
Have each child place both hands in paint or ink
and place on mural.  Title the mural "My Hands
Can..."   The children will then print under their
handprints something they do with their hands.

Make Colorful Hands
Children choose two different colors and make a
pattern using their handprints.  ie.  blue hand, green
hand, blue hand, green hand.

Go to Back to School activities
for some great ideas using "The
Kissing Hand."