Nurturing better relationships
among Young Women
Idea by Heather


 

I got a copy of the story "Dog food", by Blaine & Brenton Yorgensen.  At beginning of class, I set a beautifully wrapped package out for all the girls to admire.  I started the lesson with telling the girls that the things they do now, can alter someone's life forever.  I asked if someone wanted to open the present, (at wish every hand went up), I gave it to one girl (making sure not to choose one of the girls that was being left out), and explained that I wanted her to have this beautifully wrapped present.  As she opened it, I could see her confusion in her face.  All the girls gathered around to see what was inside...A can of dog food.  I asked the girl, what she would feel if someone had really given this to her as a gift, she was a little stunned and didn't say much...At that point, I started reading the story.  By the time I had finished, every girl was crying, and had realized the point I was making.  At the end of the story, I took the rest of the time to talk with the girls about how a simple gesture can either "make or break" someone.  I then brought out another beautifully wrapped box and explained that what was inside represents how I feel about each one of them.  They all helped unwrap the package, and found inside, bags full of foil-heart chocolate.  I told them, that they could keep all of them for themselves or possibly share some with someone that they may not had expressed their love for in awhile...or possibly someone that they felt needed to know they were loved.  I was surprised to find out a couple of weeks later...that one of our in-active girls had received 3 FULL bags on her door step during the next couple of days.