Early elementary students experience a tactile and visual lesson about how unkind words can “wrinkle” your heart. The lesson develops emotional intelligence[1] by making the connection between words, actions and feelings. This lesson, when introduced at the beginning of the year, allows educators to refer back to the concept of a wrinkled heart during times when students are having difficulty getting along or being kind.

Learning Outcomes:

Children will be able to demonstrate kindness, treat others respectfully and generate strategies for problem solving.

Materials Required:

• Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

• Large Paper Heart Cut-Out

Teaching and Learning Activities:

1. Read the story Chrysanthemum aloud to the students.

2. Each time someone in the story is unkind to the main character Chrysanthemum, have a different student come up and crinkle up a section of the large paper heart cut-out.

3. At the end of the story allow the students to take turns trying to smooth out the wrinkled heart.

4. Re-read the story with a focus on identifying when the characters are feeling comfortable or uncomfortable[2]. Ask students to name the feelings.

5.  Have a discussion to make the connection between words, actions and feelings. Use the paper heart to show how you can't completely get rid of the wrinkles.  It’s like a person's heart that may stay a bit "wrinkled" after you say or do something that is unkind.

Adaptations:

• Use a different story[3] that addresses a particular issue or problem that is specific to your classroom. Use the concept of creating a tactile and visual effect with construction paper.

• Give each student their own smaller paper heart to crinkle up as you read the story.

Follow-up Activities:

• Have students generate a list of things they can do or say to help make someone's heart feel happy.