Have you ever read “Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners” by Laurie Keller? It’s a delightful story that teaches children the golden rule in a fun and engaging way. It’s also a fantastic way to spark meaningful conversations about kindness and respect in the classroom and at home.
But how can you extend the learning beyond the story? That’s where the magic happens. Using worksheets, you can create activities that reinforce the book’s message and give kids a chance to put those principles into practice. Let’s explore a few fun ways to make “Do Unto Otters” even more impactful!
Unlocking Kindness with the Do Unto Otters Worksheet
One fantastic approach for “Do Unto Otters” is to create a “What Would You Do?” scenario worksheet. Present children with different social situationssharing toys, helping a friend who’s sad, or resolving a disagreement. They can then write or draw their responses, illustrating how they would apply the golden rule.
Another idea is a “Kindness Checklist” worksheet. Brainstorm a list of kind actions together as a group (e.g., saying please and thank you, offering a compliment, helping with chores). Students can then track their kind acts throughout the week, fostering a sense of awareness and accountability for their behavior.
For younger learners, consider a simple matching activity. Draw pictures of different actions (e.g., sharing, pushing, listening) and have them match the action with a happy or sad otter face. This can help them visually connect their actions with the feelings of others, making the concept of empathy more concrete.
Don’t forget about the power of creative expression. A worksheet that encourages drawing or writing about a time they were kind to someone (or someone was kind to them) can be a wonderful way to promote reflection and gratitude. It allows them to personalize the lesson and internalize its importance.
To add a bit of interactive fun, create a “Do Unto Otters” board game worksheet. The board spaces can feature prompts related to kindness, manners, and empathy. When players land on a space, they have to answer the prompt or complete a related challenge. This creates a lighthearted and playful learning experience.
Integrating the “Do Unto Otters” message into daily routines doesn’t have to be complicated! Consider making a classroom or household chart where everyone can contribute ideas for spreading kindness. Think of ways you can use the worksheet to make sure the children have internalized kindness.
By using a “Do Unto Otters” worksheet in creative and engaging ways, you can help children grasp the true meaning of the golden rule and develop essential social-emotional skills. The book is a great starting point, but these activities help kids bring the message to life. So get creative and have fun spreading kindness, one otter-inspired activity at a time!
