Definition:

Courage is being willing to face something hard or scary, like trying to do something you’ve never done before. 

In short:

Do good, try hard even when it’s scary.

Summary:
At school, Amy Wu welcomes a new student from China named Lin. She invites him to play with her but he is shy and doesn’t say anything. After school, she sees him chatting excitedly with his sister, which makes her wonder why he is so shy at school. Her parents have planned a dumpling making party, and Amy invites Lin’s family. She prepares in advance by practicing writing and saying “welcome” in Chinese, but when Lin and his family arrive at the party, she can’t say the words at first. But after making dumplings with Lin, she gathers her courage and successfully reads the welcome banner she made.  

Lesson Objectives: 

1. This lesson can be linked to a social studies lesson on China. 
2. Teachers guide students in a discussion about how to be politely curious and welcoming to those who can’t speak your language or are new acquaintances. 

Guiding Questions: 

1. What steps did Amy take to try to welcome Lin at school? 
2. Why do you think Lin was so shy when he came to class for the first time? 
3. Amy worked so hard to learn how to say welcome in Chinese, but wasn’t able to do it at first. What happened to give her courage to read the banner? 
4. What happened at Amy’s house that helped Lin feel less shy?  
5. Do you have any friends or relatives who speak a different language than you or come from a different country? Share about your experience. 
6. What do you usually do when you meet someone new? Are you able to help them feel comfortable around you? How?
7. How would Lin feel if no one reached out to him at school? 
8. Have you been in a situation where you’re the new person at school or somewhere else? What was it like? 
9. Would you like to be Amy’s friend? Why or why not? 
10. Do you know what dumplings are? Ask someone who can tell you.