For the educatorJewish Thought, Text, and Traditionsmore
Same’ach b’chelko literally means “happy or content with one’s lot.” In other words,
this Jewish value reminds us that we need to be content with what we have. This
not only refers to our belongings, but also implies that we should not envy what
belongs to others, live in the present moment, be happy with our own talents and
accomplishments, and accept who we are. There is no limit to what we don’t
have, and if that is where we focus, then our lives are inevitably filled with endless
dissatisfaction.
In essence, we need to be grateful for what we have and who we are. Therefore,
same’ach b’chelko is closely connected to another Jewish value, hakarat hatov,
gratitude. When we are content with and grateful for what we have, we don’t feel
threatened by the success and good fortune of others. We can celebrate what they
have by appreciating what is our own. How we feel about ourselves can have an
impact on our attitude toward others. As we give thanks, our practice needs to be
to recognize and honor what we have received and to be grateful for its sufficiency.
Our own contentedness, then, truly is reflective on our perspective on life: the why
and how, the meaning and purpose of our existence in the world. The rabbis of
the Talmud teach that we should give thanks for the ability to give thanks. The
very first words we are to speak in the morning are Modeh Ani—I am grateful to
You. Beginning the day with thanks, our eyes are attuned to blessing and our spirit
renewed.
Questions for Reflection
1. We learn from Pirke Avot 4:3 that we should not underrate the importance of
anything. What is the reasoning for not underrating the importance of anything?
2. Do you feel more content when you have a sense that all things have their place?
3. What makes you happy, and what are you grateful for?
4. How can you incorporate the value of same’ach b’chelko within the classroom?
Jewish every dayIncorporate Jewish Valuesmore
Start each morning by singing Modeh Ani and ask students to share a reason to say
thank you, every day at your meeting time. Hear and see example of such a ritual
here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlvL32CK-lc.
As appropriate, on occasions of disappointment or challenge in the classroom, ask
students to brainstorm how they can become content, happy with the way things are,
or what they can do to make the situation “sweeter”.
Sharing The Storymore
Introducing The story
Share the cover of the book, and ask students to share what they know about Pete the Cat, the title character in a series of books. Share with students that one thing you love about Pete in this story is that he is always content; no matter what happens, he finds a way to be happy with what he has.
Help students understand the concept of cause and effect. Create a cause-and-effect chart. Let students help fill it in.
Explain that throughout this story, Pete the Cat will do some silly things that make his shoes change color and that you want their help in predicting (or guessing) what the effect will be. Suggest they listen to how he deals with the unexpected things that happen.
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 be content—same’ach b’chelko and be grateful—hakarat hatov.
Pause just before you show each page that indicates what color Pete’s shoes will be, and encourage students to predict what will happen.
Praise Pete’s attitude of gratitude and his ability to find ways to make a sticky situation
feel happy and sweet!
Encourage students to sing along, “I love my ___shoes,” as well as “read” the repetitive sections together, for example, “Did Pete cry? Goodness no!!!!”
After The Story
Discuss the following questions:
- How would you describe Pete the Cat?
- What do you like about Pete the Cat?
- Do you know people who seem to act like Pete the Cat—always happy or content with what they have?
- What would happen if Pete cried and got upset or angry every time something happened to his shoes?
- Pete loved his shoes. What things are you grateful or happy to have?
Reinforce the concept of cause and effect with students. Ask the following questions:
- I wonder, if Pete’s shoes were to turn green, where do you think he might have stepped?
- I wonder, if Pete’s shoes were to turn black (or purple, or any other color), where do you think he might have stepped?
Teach problem solving by turning lemons into lemonade! Pete was happy even when unexpected things happened. Involve students in the following to help them enhance and apply their understanding of gratitude and contentment through problem solving.
- Give each student a small piece of a lemon. Ask them to taste the lemon and describe it. Do they like it? How could they make it taste better? Collect ideas.
- Involve students in making lemonade: squeezing out the juice and adding water, sugar, and ice.
- Now have them sample the lemonade. How would they describe the taste? Do they like it better than the taste of the freshly-squeezed lemons?
- Share the popular saying, “If you’ve got lemons, make lemonade!” What do they think this means?
- Discuss the following scenarios:
- If you wanted to play outside, but it started to rain, what could you do to make it “sweeter” and feel content? (make a fort, read a book, pop popcorn and watch a movie)
- If your family decided to have a playdate with a family you didn’t know, what could you do to make it “sweeter” and feel content? (make a new friend, learn about another family, share your toys and theirs)
- If you got a cold and couldn’t go to a party, what could you do to make it “sweeter” and feel content? (call the friend who is hosting the party to say something nice and tell them you missed them, plan a different special get-together with friends, have a pajama party with your toys, pets, or family while you are resting)
Explore, Discover, and More Extension and Reinforcement Activitiesmore
Rockin Guitar Craft
Throughout the story, Pete The Cat is depicted with his cool guitar.
Create tissue-box “guitars” so that the students can play and sing. For each guitar, you will need:
- a tissue box
- a sturdy piece of cardboard in the shape of a very narrow rectangle or a paper towel tube for the “neck”
- several rubber bands, optimally different widths
- a pencil (or pencil-shaped object)
- a piece of string or fabric to make a guitar strap, if desired
- a way to decorate the box and tissues: stickers, contact paper, paint, or markers
Directions
1.
Draw students’ attention to Pete’s guitar and help them identify the head, neck, body, and strings of the instrument. If possible, invite a guitar player to visit your classroom to explain the parts and their function.
2.
Encourage students to decorate their tissue boxes and allow them to dry completely. If using cardboard, attach the neck of the guitar with glue (a glue gun or other strong adhesive will increase the craft’s durability) or by cutting out a hole in the top of the box and sticking the tube with glue into the box. Allow it to dry.
3.
Help students stretch the rubber bands the long way around the decorated tissue box with the attached neck and play away! Different shapes and sizes of rubber bands will produce different types of sounds. Stick the pencil underneath the bottom of the tissue box hole to hold up the rubber bands. Attach a strap to the guitar if desired.
4.
Encourage students to create their own new tunes about the things they love, using their guitars and their imaginations!
5.
Share the songs and story with the community by visiting classrooms or having a rockin’ guitar parade!
CREATE AN I LOVE MY WHITE SHOES BIG BOOK
Literacy, Music, Art
Make a cover for your book with a title. Complete the cover with your name and your class’s name.
Mr. / Ms. ______________ (teacher’s name) Class: _____ (class name)
Students each select something else they might step into and what color their shoes become. Help them write a caption on large chart paper, draw the page, and bind. It might be fun to create a video, with each child reading his or her own illustrated page and the class singing the chorus (changing it a bit for each new color).
WE LOVE OUR PAPER SHOES!
Art, Science
- Ask each student to trace the outline of his or her shoe on a piece of white paper (copy paper works best) and then ask them to color them with washable markers. You might want to sing, “I love my _________ shoes,” describing each of the student’s color choices.
- Then drop the “shoes” into a bucket of water. If you want the students to get their own shoes back at the end of the activity, make certain to write their names in permanent marker on the shoe as well.
- Ask the students to make predictions and chart what they believe will happen to their shoes. Wait 15-20 minutes and then ask the students to remove their shoes from the water bucket. What happened to their colored shoes? Usually, washable marker soaks off of paper, leaving the paper wet but white.
GOODNESS SEEKERS
Movement
Invite students to practice
hakarat hatov by asking students to “find the good” in various situations. Encourage students to explore their environment and accompany them as they go on a “good” scavenger hunt. Document all their ideas and share with the community.
Music Connectionsmore
List of All Songs
You Get What You Get
by Miss Emily Aronoff Teck
Inspiration Text
Ben Zoma says, “Who is rich? The one who appreciates what he has …” -Talmud, Avot 4:1
Activity
When friends or family become upset, encourage students to use the chorus of this song to remind them to try to be content.
Lyrics
CHORUS
You get what you get, and you don’t get upset
You get what you get, and you don’t get upset
All the toys are great but there is one I like the best
When we share toys, I want one more than all the rest
If I don’t get what I want, I know I’ll be be okay
If I start to get sad, my friends know what to say
CHORUS
When I sit at the table and its time to eat
I know I should eat healthy foods but I want something sweet
I see what’s on my plate, and I sorta want to cry
But I make a better choice and give new healthy foods a try
CHORUS
It is time for bed, time to read with Mom or Dad
They let me choose two books, but I want more and I get mad
I’m cranky and it’s late, and I see my parents sigh
‘Til I have a good idea, sing this as a lullaby …
CHORUS
I’ve slept all through the night. I’m in a happy morning mood
I’m thinking about this song and about my attitude
With a small shift in how I think, I will better understand
If I’m grateful, I’ll feel rich, feel my life is grand!
New CHORUS
I have what I have, and I am quite glad
I’ve got what I’ve got, I’m content with my lot
I have what I have, and I am quite glad
I’ve got what I’ve got, I’m content with my lot
Additional Music Connections
Evidence of Learningmore
Through the various activities, discussions, and problem-solving scenarios, students can articulate what it means to be content or happy with what they have.
HOME AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONSmore
Hold a school-wide shoe drive to donate shoes to children, explaining that there are many children in our community who don’t have shoes to wear.
Send a note home to families about the “lemons into lemonade” activity, encouraging them to involve children in problem solving and finding ways to “make things sweeter” when a challenge arises.
Lesson Contributors
Emily Aronoff Teck
Glantz ECC at the Mandel JCC, Boynton Beach, Florida