A Card to Welcome Someone
Read or listen to the story. Then draw.
It was Friendship Day in Lia's class. That morning, a new classmate arrived. His name was Ravi. He looked around and stayed near the door.
Lia had an idea. She took some paper and a pencil and made a card with a heart. Inside, she wrote, “I'm glad you're here!”
Lia gave Ravi the card and asked, “Would you like to see our classroom?” Ravi smiled and said yes. She showed him the books and games. Then she invited Ravi to draw. He chose to draw a tree beside her.
Lia saw that a kind invitation can help someone feel welcome.
Draw an idea for a friendship card.
Notes for adults
Read a story about a friendship card for a new classmate and talk about kind ways to welcome someone.
Learning objectives
- Retell one action from the story that helped welcome the new classmate.
- Suggest a kind way to invite someone to join in.
- Recognize that a person can accept or decline an invitation.
What you need
- Printed activity sheet
- Pencil and colored pencils
- Paper for making a card, if desired
Safety notes
Use child-appropriate drawing materials and supervise the activity.
How to do it
- Gather the printed sheet and pencils.
- Introduce the title and ask what it might feel like to join a new class.
- Read the story aloud, showing the picture.
- Share one way to welcome someone, such as offering to show them around the classroom.
- Invite the child to answer the questions and listen to other ideas.
- Ask the child to draw an idea for a card in the space on the sheet.
- Finish by talking about one welcoming action the child would like to try.
Teaching suggestions
- Say, “We can invite someone and respect their answer.”
- If answering is difficult, reread the part where Lia invites Ravi and give the child time to think.
- Accept spoken, pointed or drawn responses.
- In a group, make space for each child to speak without requiring anyone to share.
- Recall everyday situations, such as welcoming someone into a game or showing them where the materials are.
Variations
- Make it easier: Reread the story in parts and ask the child to point to or tell you just one thing Lia did.
- Add a challenge: Ask the child to imagine a different ending and explain how each character might feel.
- Extend the activity: Offer paper for making a friendship card. The child can choose whether and to whom to give it.
Talk about it
- How do you think Ravi felt when he arrived in the class? Why?
- What did Lia do to welcome Ravi?
- What are some other ways we can welcome someone who is new?
- What can we do if someone doesn't want to play right now?
What to look for
- Notice whether the child can describe one welcoming action from the story.
- Notice whether the child suggests a kind way to invite or help someone.
- Observe whether the child recognizes that it is important to respect the other person's answer.