COMPASSION CUBE(Project, 25 minutes)

Use this activity to emphasize the five “I Wills.”

Print both pages of this activity. Make a cube by cutting the solid lines on the next page. Fold the cube as shown and secure the edges with tape.

Color the symbols on this page, cut them out, and tape the symbols to the top and sides of the cube. Label each symbol with its meaning.

Supplies: paper, markers, scissors, tape

n Notice needs (eyes)

n Stop to help (sign)

n Listen closely (ear)

n Do what I can (hand)

n Be kind to all (globe)

Overview: Compassion starts by noticing when others are sad, hurt, or not feeling well. However, compassion is not just seeing a need—it means stopping what you are doing and getting involved. Even something simple such as listening, offering advice, or sharing a meal can help a person or family in need. Even though you can’t solve every problem, you can usually find something useful to do, even if it is very small.

Zebras show compassion by caring for their young, protecting the injured, and defending one another.

CharaCter Quiz: 1. What does it mean to be a “good neighbor” when you see someone in need? ___________________________________________

2. When have you been sick or injured? How did others help you during your time of need? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Showing compassion means you: a. listen carefully. b. give wisely. c. do what you can to help. c. all of the above.

4. Compassion means giving people everything they ask for: TRUE? or FALSE?

5. Sometimes compassion means showing “tough love.” What do you think this means? Can you think of an example? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Compassion

Definition: helping those who are hurting

i will...

q Notice when others are hurting. q Stop to help. q take time to listen. q Do what i can.q Be kind, regardless of differences.

Compassion PRINT.indd 8 9/19/14 11:59:36 AM

LADY WITH A LAMP“What should we call her?” asked Mr. Nightingale as he held his newborn daughter. “What should we call our little girl born in Florence, Italy?”

“That’s it!” said her mother. “Let’s call her Florence! When we’re home in England we’ll always remember where we were on this special day.”

When Florence turned one, the family moved home to Embly Park in England. Florence had a good childhood. She never went hungry, and her parents gave her a good education.

By age 16, Florence felt called to become a nurse. She went with her mother to visit the poor, and she soon began taking food and supplies to the needy all by herself. She spent time tending the sick in her neighborhood, and this made her want to become a nurse even more. However, her family wasn’t convinced.

“Florence, I’m glad you want to help others,” said her father, “but being a nurse is a dirty, smelly, dangerous job. Someone else can take care of the sick. I’ll help you find something more noble to do with your time.”

“What could be more noble than to help the helpless?!” asked Florence. “I know it is difficult, but please let me try.”

Florence continued serving her neighbors and teaching herself about medicine. When she turned 30 years old, her parents finally let her go to Germany for four months of nursing school, and later she became the superintendent of a women’s hospital in London.

In 1854, Great Britain joined several other countries to fight against Russia in the Crimean War. When British soldiers were wounded in battle, they went to a military hospital with terrible living conditions. The Scutari Hospital was an old building with poor air ventilation, leaky sewers, and few supplies. Soldiers in the hospital were ten times more likely to die of disease and infection than to die of their battle wounds.

When Florence heard what was happening at Scutari Hospital, she joined a group of 38 female nurses who went to help the sick and hurting soldiers. When they arrived, Florence and her team reorganized the supplies, thoroughly cleaned the rooms and equipment, and greatly improved patient care. Once the hospital ventilation and sewer systems were fixed, the death and infection rate went down.

Florence stayed at Scutari Hospital for three years, taking care of the sick and helping where she could. She became known as the “Lady with the Lamp” because she would make rounds at night to check on the soldiers. The poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow even wrote about Florence in a poem:

Lo! in that hour of misery, A lady with a lamp I see, Pass through the glimmering gloom, And flit from room to room.

When she returned home to England, Florence started the Nightingale Training School for Nurses so she could prepare others to care for the sick. Graduates from her school were wanted in hospitals as far away as the United States. With a heart of compassion, Florence Nightingale inspired thousands to look out for others and offer help in times of need.

Florence Nightingale(1820–1910)

Lend a HandUse the answer key to decode this quote from edward everett Hale.

Edward Everett Hale (1822–1909) founded the Lend A Hand Society in Boston, Massachusetts more than 120 years ago. This non-profit organization continues to provide financial assistance to families and individuals in need.

Look for NeedsLook at this picture for people who need help. There should be 5 in all. finish by coloring the picture.

CompassioN meaNs heLpiNg Those who are hurTiNg!

How can you Help?

Ways to EncouragEDiscuss different ways to encourage others and build healthy relationships.

Different people prefer different types of encouragement. Some feel most loved by a gift or an act of service. Others feel appreciated by kind words or a written note. Others enjoy spending quality time together.

One way to determine how a person likes to receive appreciation is to look at how that person shows appreciation to others. For example, a mother who tends to give gifts probably enjoys receiving gifts. A son who tries to serve others will likely appreciate someone helping him. Some family members might like new clothes; others might want you to help fold the clothes.

Study how family members like to be appreciated. List the names of each person in your family, and try to match each family member with one or two of the “Ways to Encourage” listed on this page.

The next time someone needs encouragement, try doing what will mean the most.

Points to Ponder: l Knowing how to communicate in different ways

to different people will help you build healthy relationships. Instead of saying encouraging words to those who would rather receive acts of service, or giving gifts to those who prefer quality time, now you can encourage others in a “language” they will understand and appreciate.

l For more study on how people give and receive encouragement, consult The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman.

name: Ways to Encourage:____________________ _____________________________

____________________ _____________________________

____________________ _____________________________

____________________ _____________________________

____________________ _____________________________

____________________ _____________________________

____________________ _____________________________

CompassionCompassion

ZEBRA STRIPES(Project, 25 minutes)

Make a zebra with paper and yarn as an example of compassion.

Print both pages of this activity on heavy paper, and use scissors to cut out the zebra below. Also cut two pieces of yarn, one black and one white, both 9 feet in length. Wrap both pieces of yarn simultaneously around the zebra’s body until it is completely covered with stripes. Use the last few inches of yarn to make a tail.

Staple the zebra to the second page of this activity. Draw trees, grass, and sky around the zebra as if it were home in Africa. Review the zebra story as a reminder to show compassion to others.

Supplies: heavy paper, black and white yarn (9-foot strands), scissors, stapler, markers