Activity: Students view the video of “The Bippolo Seed” and discuss its theme of gratefulness and responsibility. They memorize the sentence: “I am grateful and responsible for what I am given.” They discuss the consequences of greed in the story and how it could have ended on a happy note instead of with failure. Optional: they practice responsibility by planting seeds and taking care of the baby plants. Materials needed: the video; seeds (quick growing is best - radish or microgreens), planters, a watering can, and a sunny place for plants to growDirections: Show the video and lead a discussion about its theme of gratefulness and responsibility. Ask questions about how it could have ended differently if the Bippolo seed had been treated with responsibility instead of greed. Ask, “Is it okay to have lots of ‘wants’ as the duck and cat did in this story?” [pause for responses] Guide students to understand that it’s okay to have “wants” as long as we are willing to work toward getting them. Explain, “ Having ‘wants’ is okay, but at the same time, it’s important to be grateful and responsible for what we already have. If you were to rewrite this story with a happy ending, what would you write?” [pause for responses] Optional: conduct a seed planting activity and link it with the virtue of responsibility.Wrap it up: Explain: “Dr. Seuss is a great storyteller who often has a theme or moral to his stories. What is the theme of this story, what’s it about? [pause for responses] Let’s remember to be responsible and grateful for what we do have. And, when we want something, we can always make a plan and work towards getting it. That is the responsible way!
Activity: Students view the video of “The Bippolo Seed” and discuss its theme of gratefulness and responsibility. They memorize the sentence: “I am grateful and responsible for what I am given.” They discuss the consequences of greed in the story and how it could have ended on a happy note instead of with failure. Optional: they practice responsibility by planting seeds and taking care of the baby plants. Materials needed: the video; seeds (quick growing is best - radish or microgreens), planters, a watering can, and a sunny place for plants to growDirections: Show the video and lead a discussion about its theme of gratefulness and responsibility. Ask questions about how it could have ended differently if the Bippolo seed had been treated with responsibility instead of greed. Ask, “Is it okay to have lots of ‘wants’ as the duck and cat did in this story?” [pause for responses] Guide students to understand that it’s okay to have “wants” as long as we are willing to work toward getting them. Explain, “ Having ‘wants’ is okay, but at the same time, it’s important to be grateful and responsible for what we already have. If you were to rewrite this story with a happy ending, what would you write?” [pause for responses] Optional: conduct a seed planting activity and link it with the virtue of responsibility.Wrap it up: Explain: “Dr. Seuss is a great storyteller who often has a theme or moral to his stories. What is the theme of this story, what’s it about? [pause for responses] Let’s remember to be responsible and grateful for what we do have. And, when we want something, we can always make a plan and work towards getting it. That is the responsible way!
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