"The Giving Tree" is another wonderfully written and illustrated children's book by Shel Silverstein. I find that this story would be most beneficial to read along with a Kindergarten class or maybe even a first grade class. By reading and talking about this story, the teacher is sharing with students the importance of giving and love. Since this text is well written and well illustrated, even the youngest elementary students will be able to easily follow along with and understand the story. One activity a Kindergarten or first grade teacher could incorporate into the class curriculum would be an "I Can Help" writing and illustration sheet. Each student would be given a sheet of paper that will say something like "I Can Help People in My School by..." or "I Can Help Out at Home by.." and they will fill in the blanks by writing out what they can do to help. Then, the students will illustrate what they have written in the blank picture square at the top of the page. By doing this activity, students are working on their writing skills, thinking of different ways they can help out or give to others, and creating an illustration to go along with what they have written just like real authors do when writing a story.
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