Children's Stories - with a moral message.

[Rab C Nesbit]

I teach at a local Islamic supplementary school.
(I know, it's weird! Me? out of all people?!)

Last week, someone stole a phone in my class, and I've been told by the Head to plan a lesson where the kids can learn about theft, and basically explain to them that it's wrong.

I usually find stories to help me, but I can't find anything about stealing that kids in Year 3 would appreciate.
I've got a story about not being able to do anything in secret, because God's everywhere, but I can't find anything specifically about stealing.

So, I'm basically asking for help.
Does anyone know of any stories that I can tell the children that says stealing is wrong.
It doesn't have to be Islamic, as long as it's teaching good morals.

[Shaz.]

Sorry i dont really know of any but why not Hmm try googling it hun? im sure something will come up.

[Ranj]

I teach Year 3 and I actually do theme teaching in the books we read as a whole class. I can offer you a few suggestions around the theme of 'honesty' as its one of the themes I'm focusing on but here are a few suggestions on 'stealing'...

Blume, Judy - Then Again, Maybe I Won't -the hero resists pressure from another boy to get involved in shoplifting.

Cleary, Beverly - Dear Mr. Henshaw His mom is a caterer and puts great food in his lunches. But, alas, someone is stealing his good food.

Keller, Holly - That's Mine; Horace finds a truck and tries to claim it as his own even though a classmate says it is his.

Lowry, Lois - All About Sam. Sam takes a pack of gum from the supermarket. He feels so badly about it that he starts to cry. He and his mom then return to the market, apologize to the manager, pay for the gum and then throw the gum away.

Smith - Adam Joshua - who steals his favorite superman book from the library. Everyone was waiting for this book which was missing. He just wanted to draw the book himself so he would have it.

Hope that helps, if you want any other help just ask..

[Rab C Nesbit]

Thanks Ranj...
This is going to sound so stupid, but are those proper books, or stories that I can get from the net?

Just so I know if I have to go to the library.

[Zero]

The kids have phones in year 3? Bloody he! I got my first phone in A-Level...!

I've uploaded "Then Again, Maybe I Won't" by Judy Blume (as a pdf), you can look over that if you like:

http://imagehost.theasianplace.net/u...1242911845.pdf

[Rab C Nesbit]

I don't know. I haven't heard them chatting about their phones, or seen any.
It was my phone that was stolen, actually.

Wow.
That was an actual story book.
I only get the kids for three hours.
And in that time they must do half an hour of sports, and half an hour's break.
The kids won't be able to handle a book in a day.

...but thank you, very much.

[Ranj]

Originally Posted by Rab C Nesbit Thanks Ranj... This is going to sound so stupid, but are those proper books, or stories that I can get from the net? Just so I know if I have to go to the library.

Yes they are picture books. Go to your local library and ask if you can't find any of those titles.

I don't know what your lesson plan is but if your trying to teach them about stealing and being honest, perhaps its best to discuss and read the text a few times, so they start comprehending the message. Plus do a follow on activity?

[Rab C Nesbit]

Yea, I'm going to keep this as a topic for the next few weeks...
So, I can incorporate a story book.

I still essentially need to teach them something from their Islamic books, too.
So, by breaking up the story into weeks, makes it easier, I guess.

I'm meeting up with my neice today, and we're going to go through what activities we can do.

[Scrooge]

As its a Islamic school, then i think u should be teaching them something called Taqwa (remeberance of Allah swt) making them link there actions back to Allah swt and knwoing what is Halal and Haraam.



http://www.adduonline.com/articles/taqwa.htm

[Rab C Nesbit]

Taqwa... That word doesn't come into books until Year 4, but it wouldn't do any harm to let them know about it...

...and we always play a card game at the end, about remembering Allah, and who can see everything? and how did a builder know how to make a house? etc etc
So, through play, the kids are learning...

But, thank you.

The past two months we've been covering Wudhu.
So I have to make up a test, to see if they know their stuff.
I don't know how to do it though.


Oooh, another question.
My neice and I have been using songs to help the kids remember things, like how to do Wudhu, and why people should cover their mouths when sneezing...

We haven't had a chance to ask the HeadTeacher what he thinks of it, but generally, do you think the parents would have anything against it?

'Cause since we introduced songs a fortnight ago, they've taken things up much quicker.

[Guji-Ji]

Originally Posted by Rab C Nesbit Taqwa... That word doesn't come into books until Year 4, but it wouldn't do any harm to let them know about it... ...and we always play a card game at the end, about remembering Allah, and who can see everything? and how did a builder know how to make a house? etc etc So, through play, the kids are learning... But, thank you. The past two months we've been covering Wudhu. So I have to make up a test, to see if they know their stuff. I don't know how to do it though. Oooh, another question. My neice and I have been using songs to help the kids remember things, like how to do Wudhu, and why people should cover their mouths when sneezing... We haven't had a chance to ask the HeadTeacher what he thinks of it, but generally, do you think the parents would have anything against it? 'Cause since we introduced songs a fortnight ago, they've taken things up much quicker.

As long as there's no music I can't see why anyone could object to the songs?

As for the test you could ask each child a different question 'What do you wash after you wash your face?' or 'What do you wash before your feet?' or something similar. You might run out of questions though unless you vary them in detail.

[Rab C Nesbit]

Yea, the kids hate monotony.
Every body part has to be asked in a different way.

I might do five written questions, five picture questions and then questions like "Muhammed washed his feet before gargling, is his wudhu complete?"

Yea, my neice and I aren't musically talented.
We just use the tunes of songs we know, like "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" (the Nursery version!) and that Swine Flu Skank song.
We're going to start teaching about ghusl, so we're trying to make up words for "London's Burning".
...but, we want to show our HeadTeacher, just in case he doesn't approve.
Then again, he lets me prance around without hijab, and I get to wear short sleeved clothes so, I'm sure he wouldn't say no to our ideas.