The Golden Rule

Name: The Golden Rule
Author: Ilene Cooper

A story that explores integrity and opens a conversation with your child.

★★★★★ Loved by families

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♥ This book teaches: Integrity. doing what is right when no one is watching.

Before, During & After Reading

Guiding Questions for Parents.

Summary: A boy reads a sign that has the words of The Golden Rule and he asks his grandpa what it means. As they walk down the sidewalk they read another sign that says the same thing as The Golden Rule, but in a different way. This begins a conversation with the boy asking questions and the grandpa answering. They talk about what it means to practice The Golden Rule. The grandpa encourages the boy to think about how he’d feel if he was at a new school and what would help him feel more comfortable. They continue to share, and together they wonder aloud what it would be like if everyone lived by The Golden Rule. In the end, the Grandpa sums it all up by saying, “There’s only one person you can ask to do that [live by The Golden Rule]. You. It begins with you.” Lesson Objectives:

Students memorize The Golden Rule. As they discuss what it means, they talk about how to practice it in real situations.

Guiding Questions:

What did the first sign say in the beginning of the story?
What did the second sign say?
Why do you think so many religions and cultures have the same saying, only worded a little differently? Why is this behavior so important to so many people?
When the boy asked his Grandpa how to practice The Golden Rule, the Grandpa told him to imagine what a new student might be feeling joining his class. When the boy used his imagination, what did he come up with?
Did the boy imagine what would make the new student feel better? What did he come up with?
The grandpa asked his grandson how he would feel if he was teased. What did the boy say?
Who’s the one person you can ask to follow The Golden Rule?
Think of a person you know who is having a hard time. Then think of how you’d feel if you were that person. Then think about something you could do to help them and do it.
Can you think of a time when you were feeling sad or upset and someone helped you? What happened?
Grandparents are very special, like the one in this book. If you have a grandparent, make them a thank you/I love you card. Sometimes grandparents feel lonely because they miss you. Your card will cheer them up!

🌿 Virtue Connection: Integrity means doing what is right even when no one is watching.

About the Story.

This guide is part of the Values & Virtues library, a free collection of 400+ book guides and activities organized around 12 core virtues for children from pre-K to 6th grade. Each guide includes Guiding Questions designed to open a real conversation with your child in 10 minutes or less.

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Integrity · Family Discussion Guide

The Golden Rule

by Ilene Cooper

Guiding Questions

Students memorize The Golden Rule. As they discuss what it means, they talk about how to practice it in real situations.

Guiding Questions:

What did the first sign say in the beginning of the story?
What did the second sign say?
Why do you think so many religions and cultures have the same saying, only worded a little differently? Why is this behavior so important to so many people?
When the boy asked his Grandpa how to practice The Golden Rule, the Grandpa told him to imagine what a new student might be feeling joining his class. When the boy used his imagination, what did he come up with?
Did the boy imagine what would make the new student feel better? What did he come up with?
The grandpa asked his grandson how he would feel if he was teased. What did the boy say?
Who’s the one person you can ask to follow The Golden Rule?
Think of a person you know who is having a hard time. Then think of how you’d feel if you were that person. Then think about something you could do to help them and do it.
Can you think of a time when you were feeling sad or upset and someone helped you? What happened?
Grandparents are very special, like the one in this book. If you have a grandparent, make them a thank you/I love you card. Sometimes grandparents feel lonely because they miss you. Your card will cheer them up!

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The Golden Rule

Guiding Questions for Parents.

About the Story.

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The Golden Rule

Guiding Questions