Fun with Character: Egg-stra Generosity

You will need a clear container with enough water to completely cover an egg, and then some. The container should be wide enough that you can remove the egg with your hand. Gently place the egg in the water and watch it sink. Discuss with the class, that this is how a sad person feels who is in need of our generosity. Discuss ways you could make this classmate feel better. What things could you say or do with that person? (share, let them go first, lend a pencil or paper, give a compliment, offer to partner or sit with them at lunch) Be sure to identify class behaviors that could have led to someone feeling so down. Once you have created a list of generous things to do, remove the egg and begin to stir in salt. You will need 1/4 cup salt for every cup of water in the container. With each spoonful that you put in, name one of the suggestions that the class gave earlier. Stir the water after every spoonful. Once all the salt is stirred in, place the egg in the water. It should now float. Explain that the egg is now being supported by the generosity of their classmates.

To process this activity, ask these or similar questions:

• Did you think we would get the egg to float?

• Have you ever floated in salty seawater?

• What kind of culture would we have if we were kind and generous with our classmates?

• What kind of “water” do you want to be surrounded with?

• What kind of “water” do you want to be?