The Giving Tree

Book: The Giving Tree

Author: Shel Silverstein

Summary: This book is about a boy who has a special tree. The tree always gives the boy anything needs up until he can no longer give anything anymore.

Evaluation: This is a great book for students to read. It is about giving things you have to someone without asking anything in return. This book is in the genre of fantasy because a tree can't really talk or offer all he does to someone.

Motivational Activities:

Sequencing: Students will have pictures of what the tree gives. They will put them in order and glue them to a piece of paper.

Thank you notes: Each student will take a piece of paper and write a thank you note to someone for a nice thing they had done in the past.

Personal Comments: I enjoy this book because it is a great book that teaches giving. It shows that you don't always need to be given anything in return, but that you will do something for someone just because you care about them.

Questions:

1. What would you give up for someone you really cared about?
2. How would you feel if you were never thanked for what you did? Why it is important to say thank you to people?

References:
Silverstein, Shel. The Giving Tree. New York: Harper & Row, 1964. Print.