SLOVENIA'S 5 CORE VALUES

1. Activity title: Lake of kindly words

2. Target group

• Pupils in years 1-5 of primary school (adaptable for pre-school).
• Estimated duration: 1 to 2 school hours

3. Form of work

Classroom work, individual work, group activity, discussion

4. Didactic starting points

The activity is based on understanding the value of sincerity, symbolised by the Lake of Kind Words. Water is only transparent when it is clean. Likewise, relationships are clear and healthy when the words exchanged are truthful. It is sincerity that brings clarity, reduces conflict and strengthens trust. We wish to deepen the understanding of sincerity. We are no longer just talking about »truth«, but also about how to say what we feel in an appropriate and respectful manner.

5. Learning objectives

• recognising and naming emotions
• appropriate expression of one's feelings
• understanding the impact of words on others
• developing sincere and respectful communication

6. Accessories

• Modern poster (lake)
• drops of light blue paper
• flomaster

7. Course of Activities

The teacher reads page six and leads a discussion about what was read. 

Interview questions

• Kaj za vas pomeni "lepo" in "prijazno"?
• Do you always use them?
• Why is it important to use them?
• And what about when we're angry? Do we still use kind words or forget them?

8. Art activity: The Lake of Friendly Words

Objective To visually represent honesty as clarity, purity.

Flow:

• On the poster, we draw or cut out a large blue lake.
• Each child receives one »drop« made from light blue/white paper.
• On a drop, write a word that represents an emotion they often experience, e.g.: joy, sadness, jealousy, anger, pride, fear…
• All the drops are stuck to the lake.
• Together we observe the final product. We can have a discussion about when we feel these emotions, which ones we experience at different times in our classroom...
• Extension possibility: the drops can be painted with the colour that would be attributed to a certain emotion. beforehand, we can lead a discussion about emotions, play emotion charades (show an emotion with your face and/or body and others guess which one it is) ...

9. Movement activity: Wave of sincerity

Objective Express emotions in a safe environment.

Flow:

• The children are sitting in a circle.
• The teacher holds a small (blue) ball (symbol of the lake).
• Whoever holds the ball, completes the sentence:
  • »I am happy when ...«
  • »I get angry when...«
  • »I am sorry when...«
  • »I'm scared when...
• After each answer, the group makes a gesture with their hands – like a wave.
• We pass the ball to the next child.
• Basic rules: it's important not to mock, but only to listen.
• Upgrade option: they can pass the ball, bounce it...

10. Conclusion and reflection

Final thought: »When we speak honestly, the lake becomes clear and calm.«

Let's discuss whether all emotions are the same, if it's wrong to feel difficult emotions, and what happens if we don't express how we feel. We can steer the conversation towards appropriate ways of expressing emotions, such as anger, or adapt to any potential classroom issues.

Primary School Piran