Definition:

The ability to feel what others are feeling and the action of trying to help them with their troubles. 

In short: 

Feel what others feel.

Summary:

Johnny struggles when a new boy named Gabe joins his class.  He is unwelcoming towards Gabe, who cries on his first day, and doesn’t speak English. Johnny’s complicated feelings change when Gabe teaches him how to do a tricky soccer move. Johnny learns that he and Gabe are more similar than different. What’s more important than words are actions; Gabe helps Johnny learn a new skill and the next day, Johnny gives Gabe a carton of his favorite beverage, chocolate milk. They don’t need to speak the same language - after all, the best way to have a friend is to be a friend. 

Lesson Objectives:

1. Students practice skills that help them welcome children who they don’t know, who come from a different background, or speak another language. 
2. Students learn positive behaviors that help them make and keep friends - they memorize the main message of the story, which is: the best way to have a friend is to be a friend. 

Guiding Questions: 

1. Do you know what the Spanish words “por favor” in the title mean? How about “delicioso”? 
2.  Why does Johnny dislike Gabe right away, even though he doesn’t even know him? 
3. Why do you think Gabe cried on his first day of school? Did things get better for him by the end of the week? Why? 
4.  Johnny was surprised when the kids in his class were friendly with Gabe. What did they do to make Gabe feel welcome? 
5. Both Gabe and Johnny started learning something they didn’t know how to do. What did each boy begin to learn? 
6. “The best way to have a friend is to be a friend.” What did Gabe do for Johnny? What did Johnny do for Gabe? 
7. At the end of the story, the author tells readers that the book is about a real person, a student who was in her class. Are there any kids in your class who are new? Is there anyone who  doesn’t speak the same language as you? 
8. Think of something nice you could do to make a new person feel welcome and do it! Start with a smile and a friendly hello. Share something with them. Ask them if they’d like to play with you. Introduce them to your friends. 
9. What ideas do you have about helping a new person feel welcome?   
10. Have you ever been a new kid at school? If so, what was it like? If not, ask your parents or grandparents if they had ever attended a new school where they didn’t know anyone.