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🎁 Week 12: Gifts for Others

Lesson Overview
Grade Level Grades 1-2
Duration 30 minutes
Curriculum Year B
STREAM Focus E (Engineering), A (Arts), R (Religion)

Week 12: Gifts for Others

🎯 Learning Objectives

STEM Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Design with a user in mind 2. Use materials purposefully 3. Follow design constraints 4. Create a functional item

Faith Integration Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Practice generosity through making 2. Understand that gifts of time and effort are meaningful 3. Think of others' needs before their own

Week 12: Gifts for Others

🙏 Faith-Reason Integration

Catholic Teaching Connection

Gift of Self — The best gifts are those that give of ourselves — our time, effort, and love. Handmade gifts show we value the person enough to invest ourselves.

Scripture Connection

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." — 2 Corinthians 9:7

Saint Connection

St. Nicholas — Famous for giving gifts in secret. He gave to those in need without expecting anything in return. He inspires our gift-giving at Christmas.

📚 Materials Needed

  • Cardstock/construction paper

  • Craft sticks

  • Beads, buttons

  • Glue, tape, scissors

  • Markers, crayons

  • Gift-making templates (optional)

  • Brown paper for wrapping

📝 Lesson Procedure (30 minutes)

Opening Prayer (2 min)

"Dear God, help us be cheerful givers today. As we make gifts for others, fill us with love. Help us think about what would make someone else happy. Amen."

Introduction: Giving Gifts (4 min)

St. Nicholas story:

  • "He gave gifts to people in need"

  • "He gave SECRETLY — didn't want thanks"

  • "He shows us how to be generous"

Handmade gifts are special:

  • "When you MAKE something, you give your TIME"

  • "That's more valuable than money!"

  • "Thinking about what someone else wants = LOVE"

Today's challenge:

  • Make a gift for someone you care about

  • Think: What would THEY like?

  • Not what YOU like — what THEY like!

Planning Phase (5 min)

Think about your recipient:

  • Who will you give this to?

  • What do they like?

  • What colors do they enjoy?

  • What would make them smile?

Choose your project:

Option A: Bookmark

  • For someone who reads

  • Personalize with colors they like

Option B: Picture Frame

  • Made from craft sticks

  • Decorate for them

  • They can add a photo

Option C: Decoration

  • Ornament or hanging art

  • For their room or tree

Option D: Card with Art

  • Special handmade card

  • Include a drawing for them

Making Phase (15 min)

Create your gift!

Design thinking reminders:

  • "Is this what THEY would like?"

  • "Are you using THEIR favorite colors?"

  • "Would this make THEM smile?"

Craftsmanship matters:

  • Take your time

  • Do your best work

  • This shows you care!

Teacher circulates:

  • "Who is this for?"

  • "What do they like about it?"

  • "How will they use it?"

Closing (4 min)

Wrap it up:

  • Simple wrapping if time allows

  • Write "To: ___" and "From: ___"

Sharing:

  • "Who is your gift for?"

  • "What did you think about while making it?"

St. Nicholas connection:

  • "He gave without wanting thanks"

  • "Can you give this gift and not brag about it?"

  • "Let the GIFT show your love, not your words"

Closing Prayer: "Thank You, God, for people we love. Thank You for the ability to make things with our hands. Help us be cheerful givers like St. Nicholas. May our gifts bring joy to others. Amen."

📎 Home Connection

"We made gifts for loved ones today! Your child created something special with someone in mind. Please don't peek! 😊 We learned about St. Nicholas and giving cheerfully. Talk about the difference between store-bought and handmade gifts — which takes more love?"

✅ Assessment

  • Designed with recipient in mind

  • Created thoughtful, careful work

  • Considered what recipient would enjoy

  • Connected gift-making to generosity

Lesson Version: 1.0 — Year B | **