 |
||||
|
about the author |
Principle: Rights and Responsibilities
(Adults’ definition) Jesus knew that people need other people. We all need our family, friends, and neighbors. He tells us it is right that in our lives we should have these important people who help us. And, Jesus says, we must work to help them, too.Adults’ definition: Every person has rights and responsibilities. We are entitled to food, education, work, clothing, shelter, and health care. We also have freedom of conscience, religious liberty, and the right to raise a family and to be free of unfair discrimination. With rights, of course, come responsibilities, and we are responsible to see that others always receive these same rights. This is working for the common good.
(Children’s definition) Children’s definition: All of God’s people should have food, work, clothes, a home, a school, and a doctor when they are sick. This means every single person on earth. We say we have a ‘right’ to these. But many people don’t have these things that they need. Jesus wants the people who already have what they need to help these others. We call this a ‘responsibility.’
Book recommendation: Thank you, Mr. Falker, written and illustrated
by Patricia Polacco
Despite her family’s great enthusiasm for books and reading, Patricia cannot read. She tries hard, but the letters get all mixed up on the page. As she proceeds through the early grades, she is soon tormented by other children who call her names and shame her. It becomes so intolerable that she hides under a stairwell each day at recess. Then along comes Mr. Falker, a perceptive teacher who takes her rights and his responsibilities very seriously. Working intensely with Patricia, he unlocks the door to her learning disability. This autobiographical story is a great example of a person’ right to learn in safety and with assistance, and of the miracles that happen when someone takes the responsibility to do what is right. What better example than the child in this story who became the adult who wrote the book, as well as many other books for children!
Discussion starters: Patricia had food and a home, and she even had a school, but she was missing something very important that she needed. What was it? What was Mr. Falker’s responsibility? What happened because Mr. Falker acted on his responsibility?
Big Book ideas: Discuss with children the differences between needs and wants. Help them understand that needs are something we cannot live without. List some needs. Help them find pictures of those needs: healthy food and drink, adequate housing, schools (or of children in schools), and hospitals or medical staff. Place these on a page in your book with the words, “We all have needs.”
|
|