Many stories for children contain elements of fantasy. While those elements are fantasy are designed to entertain children, they often also serve as symbols and metaphors to help children learn more important lessons in life. In the story The Star Money from iStoryBooks.co, a girl named Amelia experiences a bit of magic and fantasy of her own. However, as students read the story, they’ll learn that the fantasy actually represents the reward that comes from having a kind and selfless heart. This lesson plan based on The Star Money will help students not only learn to distinguish between fantasy and reality, but also to gain a valuable lesson in kindness and good character.
- The Star Money
- Circles cut from yellow/gold construction paper (3-4 per student)
Begin the lesson by asking students to think about a couple of questions:
- If you had one winter coat and it was cold outside,would you give your coat to someone who didn’t have a coat?
- If you had a lot of money, what would you do with it?
Give students a chance to share their answers to the questions. After students answer the questions, explain to them that you are going to read a story that is connected to these questions. As they read the story, students will learn how the main character of the story, Amelia, would respond to the questions.
Examine the Book
Before reading the book with students, take some time to look at the cover. Ask students to point out what they see and guess what the book will be about based on the elements on the cover.They might notice the sparkles and note that the book might be about magic or notice that the girl is wearing a winter coat, so the book might take place during the winter. You can also point out the author, illustrator, and narrator’s name.
After looking at the cover, explain to students that the book is a fantasy. Tell them that the word fantasy means not real or imaginary. Ask them what parts of the cover help them know that the story is a fantasy. Kids may point out the title – what is star money? – or the falling stars.
Read the Book
Read through the story with students. Stop throughout the book to ask students questions such as, “What would you do in this situation?” and “Could this really happen?”
When you finish the book, remind students that it was a fantasy. Ask them to point out things in the book that made it a fantasy (“What things in the book weren’t real?”). For example, the money appeared on the street for the young girl.
Complete an Activity
After reading and discussing the book with students, explain to students that they are not likely to find gold raining down from the sky when they show kindness to others. However, other things may happen. Ask students to explain what good things can happen to student who show kindness to others. For example, they may feel good, someone may show kindness to them, or they may get a reward of another kind.
Ask students to think of ways they can show kindness to others.
Cut out large yellow circles to represent gold coins. Give each student 3-4 yellow circles. On each circle, have students write or draw something they can do to show kindness to others. These circles will represent how Amelia used the gold coins to show kindness to others.
After completing the lesson, you may take the book a step further by rewarding students with plastic or paper gold coins when they show kindness to one another in the classroom. When the entire class earns enough gold coins, they can have a special party, showing that the kindness of others pays off for everyone.
You can also extend the story, by reading other stories about kindness and generosity. A good place to start is by reading The Story of Mother Teresa, also from iStoryBooks.