Rabbi Hillel said, “That which is hateful to you, do not do to others” (Shabbat 31a). The value to show respect is one of the key elements to the Jewish worldview. It is part and parcel of almost everything that Judaism teaches, from how one is to approach G-d to how one should act with one’s parents and family members. G-d is respected as the creator of the Universe, just as parents are respected as the creator of children. The idea or value of respect extends beyond one’s own family to include others as well. The benefit of respecting others is not found in what might be gained by showing such respect alone, but also in adherence to the value in and of itself. To live a life respecting others means to realize that everyone is unique, and everyone should be valued as such. This is the essential element of the Golden Rule.

Questions for Reflection

1. How can you increase the amount of respect that is present in your personal and professional lives?
2. What is the difference between gaining respect from others and gaining respect from yourself?
3. How can we best show respect to young children, in a way that makes them feel respected?
4. How can you exemplify respect on a regular basis and incorporate this value in the classroom?

Teach students the Hebrew phrase kol hakavod, which means “all the respect.” It is a Hebrew phrase used in congregational life whenever someone has acted with honor, and to express respect for what he or she is doing. Whenever a student does something respectful or demonstrates that he or she is being thoughtful, say, “Kol hakavod!” Encourage students to use the phrase as well.

Chrysanthemum
Materials

• Copy of Chrysanthemum 
• Introducing the Story: several blooming chrysanthemum plants, books, catalogs, or pictures showing many kinds of flowers 
• After the Story: cut-outs of paper hearts—one per child, paper links for Kavod ChainPlease add your Content here!

Technology

• Read-aloud of the book on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxMlxbgYvLI  
• Author website with additional

Introducing The story

Explain to students that you will be sharing a story with them today to help explore the Jewish value kavod, which means “respect.” Discuss what they know about the idea already and then supplement their understanding by sharing this video in which Elmo explains the word: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY4qNs4onYQ.

Share the cover and read the title. Ask, “What do you think the title Chrysanthemum refers to?” Explain that the story is about a little girl with a very unusual name and that she’s named for a flower—the chrysanthemum!

• Bring in some real chrysanthemums. Let the students touch them, smell them, make pictures of them, wear them in their hair, gently play with them, etc. 
• Show the students pictures of different flowers and teach their names. Find pictures online, bring in a gardening coffee-table book, and add gardening catalogs to your classroom library.

Reading The Story

Read the story aloud, stopping when appropriate to explore illustrations, address comments, clarify, predict, and guide students’ understanding of the story and the values to show respect—kavod and use nice words—lashon hara.

Discuss the following questions:

• When you read the line “Her parents named her Chrysanthemum,” stop and ask, “Why do you think they chose that name? What does it mean?” 
• Pause right before Chrysanthemum starts school and ask, “How does Chrysanthemum feel about her name?” Pause again after the students tease her and ask, “How does she feel about her name now?” At the end of the book, discuss the question, “How does Chrysanthemum feel now? What happened to make her feel this way?” 
• Ask, “Do you think that the children showed Chrysanthemum respect?” 
• Compare the picture of Chrysanthemum on the first day of school with the picture of Chrysanthemum when she goes home after the first day of school. Ask, “What clues tell you how she is feeling? What caused her to change so quickly?” 

After The Story

 Involve students in the “Crumpled Heart” activity.

• Reread the story (or have students listen to the story being read on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxMlxbgYvLI). 
• Give each student a paper cut-out of a heart. As they listen to the story, ask students to crumple or fold the heart each time Chrysanthemum’s feelings are hurt by something mean the students say or do. At the end of the reading, have students unfold their hearts. Talk about how the paper hearts look. Explain that each time someone says something mean and hurts another’s feelings, it hurts his or her heart, meaning it makes that person feel sad. 

Create a class Kavod Chain. Students earn paper links each time they show respect—kavod in the classroom. Write the specific behavior on the link and read it aloud to reinforce kavod before adding each link to the class chain. Explain to students that they earn respect when they show respect and tell them “Kol hakavod!” Set goals such as thirty links each month.

A Sack Full Of Feathers Storytelling

EDIBLE LETTERS WRITING, COOKING
Use letter-shaped cookie cutters and play dough so students can create the letters of their names. Use prepackaged cookie dough and cookie cutters to help students make personalized cookies. Letters can also be constructed from healthier foods, such as fruits, veggies, etc.
EVERY CHILD IS A MASTERPIECE ART
Involve students in making collage nameplates. Supply a variety of materials (stickers, pom-poms, macaroni, cut straws, etc.) so that each collage ends up looking unique.
Have either the teacher or student write the student’s full name (English and possibly Hebrew) and age on the edge of the artwork.
Display the artwork in a place of honor with the title “Every Child Is a Masterpiece.”
Invite school administrators, faculty, staff, students from other classes, parents, etc., to visit the classroom so students can proudly share their nameplates.
MEET KEVIN HENKES TECHNOLOGY, AUTHOR UNIT
Introduce students to the author. Visit his website and share other stories he has written: http://www.kevinhenkes.com.
HEBREW NAME GAME HEBREW, LITERACY
Use a name dictionary to learn about one new Hebrew name every day. Begin with using the names of students in class, but also learn about new, interesting names. Address students by their Hebrew names, either on a daily basis or on special occasions (for example, during Shabbat).

List of All Songs

Kol Hakavod

by Miss Emily Aronoff Teck

Watch as the classroom Kavod Chain grows. As with a portfolio, allow students to periodically share their favorite link from their Kavod Chains. (This will help to reinforce the value throughout the year.)

SEEK RESPECT
Make toilet-paper tube binoculars. Decorate them and label them “respect seekers.” Take them home and use them to watch for acts or words that show respect—kavod in the house and around the neighborhood. This includes the students’ own acts and words or those of others. Remind parents that they are a daily role model for their children and that they can help their children learn how to behave with respect. Ask parents to help their children watch for examples of respectful and disrespectful words and deeds on TV, in movies, and in books. They may choose to use their “respect seeker” binoculars to help them do this.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Ask parents to discuss with their child the meaning of their child’s name, why they chose it, if they’re named after someone, what part of the world their name comes from, their Hebrew name, etc. Ask them to complete the form “What’s in a Name?” (download here) and return it to the class teacher.

* PJ library Books