Lesson Plan: Celebrating Our Differences with "Silly Lily and Her Feeding Tube"

Grade Level: 1st - 3rd Grade

Objectives:

  • Students will be able to describe how everyone is unique, including ways we may look or things we may need to do differently, like using a feeding tube.

  • Students will demonstrate empathy by discussing feelings and experiences of being different or seeing others who are.

  • Students will engage in a creative activity to express understanding and appreciation of differences.

Materials:

  • The book "Silly Lily and Her Feeding Tube"

  • Chart paper and markers

  • Blenders and safe, blendable foods (ensure no allergies in the class)

  • Construction paper, scissors, glue, markers/crayons

  • Feeding tube model or pictures (optional)

Lesson Duration: 1 hour

Lesson Plan:

  1. Introduction (10 minutes)

    • Start with a group discussion about what makes each student unique. Ask questions like "What are some things you love to do?" and "Is there something special about how you do certain things?"

    • Introduce the book "Silly Lily and Her Feeding Tube," summarizing that it's about a girl who feels different because she uses a feeding tube to eat.

  2. Read Aloud (15 minutes)

    • Read the book aloud to the class, making sure to show the illustrations and engage the students with questions about how Lily might be feeling at different points in the story.

  3. Group Discussion (10 minutes)

    • Lead a discussion about the story. Questions can include:

      • "How do you think Lily felt when she was eating differently?"

      • "What did Ms. Nasser do to help Lily feel included?"

      • "How did Lily's classmates react to her feeding tube?"

      • Emphasize the message that being unique is something to celebrate.

  4. Creative Expression (15 minutes)

    • Divide students into small groups and provide them with supplies to create their own "Celebrating Our Differences" poster. Each group can choose to depict a scene from the book or create an original illustration that shows different ways people can be unique.

  5. Snack Activity (Optional) (10 minutes)

    • If possible, organize a small snack activity where students can experience blending food and drinking it, similar to Lily in the story. This is a great sensory activity but ensure to check for food allergies beforehand. Discuss how eating can be a different experience for everyone.

  6. Conclusion (5 minutes)

    • Bring the class back together for a final discussion. Ask students to share what they learned from the story and the activities. Encourage them to think about how they can be more inclusive and celebrate differences in their own lives.

    • Recap the key lesson from "Silly Lily and Her Feeding Tube" that everyone is unique and that's what makes each person special.

Assessment:

  • Participation in discussions and activities.

  • Observation of students' understanding and empathy during group discussions and creative expression activity.

  • Review of the posters created by students for understanding of the lesson's core message.

Extensions:

  • Invite a guest speaker who uses a feeding tube to share their experiences with the class.

  • Create a classroom "Differences Diary" where students can write or draw something unique about themselves or others each week.