Optimism and Joy
Reception: I can find joy in everyday things.
Core Story
It’s a Firefly Night by Dianne Ochiltree. A father and daughter go out into the night to chase fireflies. The twinkling sky is filled with millions of stars and the night has a surreal and magical feel to it. The little girl is spell-bound as she sees fireflies all around her. She catches them in a glass to enjoy only for a moment, before letting them go again.
Drawing out the virtue
Before reading the story ask: What do you think of when you think about the night time? (scary, dark, end of the day, sleeping, cold outside, stay inside)
What makes this so exciting for the little girl? The fact that it is a special time for her and her father, the beauty of the evening and the fireflies.
Does the fact she knows she can only look at them for a short time make her angry/sad, or does it make them even more special?
Activity 1: Suggesting fun things to do if…
Bring pupils to sit on the carpet. Pair them for Perfect Partners, then ask them to discuss.
Joyful things to do in Autumn (even though it means summer is over and the leaves are starting to fall off the trees)?
Fun things to do if it ……. rains/snows/is really hot/is really cold/is cloudy/is windy/is stormy/thunders….
What they love to do when it’s dark outside? Listen to the night noises, star-gaze, look at flies swarming around a street light, look out for car headlights down the street, imagine what’s happening inside other houses.
Activity 2: Sharing what we find joyful
Now ask your pupils to share one example from their discussions, in a full sentence with an explanation. Eg. ‘I feel joyful when…because…’
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Classroom language
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Sayings
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I like the way X is being so positive.
Let’s focus on all the good things.
Remember the wonderful day we had when…
Who is looking forward to the school play/trip/visitor?
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Look on the bright side of life
Every cloud has a silver lining
Count your blessings
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Library books
Augustus and His Smile by Catherine Rayner
The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson
Petar’s Song by Pratima Mitchell and Caroline Birch
Twinkle Twinkle Squiglet Pig by Joyce Dunbar
The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers