A few years ago, I remember a student telling me, "Teacher, today my mom is sending everyone a cake she made all afternoon yesterday, with a lot of love. But only those who behave well will get some."
I thought, "Thanks to Luisa's mom, today will be a calmer day..."
What I hadn’t realized at that moment was that Luisa took her role very seriously. She didn’t let any of her classmates even breathe without being "supervised," and she constantly warned them that they wouldn’t get any cake if they didn’t behave.
By mid-morning, several students were already asking, "Are they going to hand out the cake soon?" while others were tired of Luisa’s threats because they couldn’t even talk without being scolded.
Finally, the much-anticipated snack time arrived. Luisa, excited, wanted to share the cake her mom had made. She started giving out pieces, one by one, while the children enjoyed the delicious taste.
At those moments when the children eat, it’s one of the few times when silence takes over the class. Between thank-yous and compliments on how good the cake was, Luisa, with a smile, said, "My mom always says she makes it with a lot of love for everyone, and that makes her very happy. But why don’t you all share something with everyone? I always bring things to share..."
That’s when I paused to reflect. "How interesting," I thought. My students always gave me wonderful opportunities to learn from them. I let them keep enjoying the cake and asked them to think about what Luisa had said.
Some replied, "Your mom knows how to make really good cakes, mine doesn’t." Others, thinking of their own homes, said, "I’m thinking of bringing some chocolates my mom makes."
Once everyone had finished eating, I thanked Luisa on behalf of everyone but also asked her why she brought such delicious things to class. Her answer surprised me: "Teacher, I always bring what my mom bakes because she really likes to bake."
I asked, "And why do you think your mom and you make and share with us?" To which Luisa replied, "Because my mom says she likes everyone to have a happy moment. She imagines that everyone eats happily, and there will be kids who will be happy eating what she makes."
What Luisa didn’t know was that she had given a deep lesson on generosity. "Generosity," I explained to my students, "is when someone gives something to another person, like their time, cakes, cookies (like Luisa’s mom used to make), help, or things, without expecting anything in return. It’s doing something kind and selfless to make others feel good."
I decided to ask the other students, "And what do you think you can share?"
Victor, one of my students, said, "Teacher, don’t count on me, there’s not much to share at my house."
I replied, "Victor, we can all share something. We can share a hug, a smile, kind words, a joke, knowledge, a good moment."
Victor, thinking, said, "Ah, well, I can share that."
And at that moment, we realized it’s not about sharing material things, like Luisa’s mom, who spent hours baking that delicious cake, thinking of each one of us and the moment we took that first bite and said, "How delicious!"
So, we decided to put into practice what we had learned that day. We made a list of things we could share: a smile, a hug, listening attentively, saying nice words, helping when someone needs it, sharing our ideas and stories, and much more.
The most important thing wasn’t the list of things to share, but understanding the "why." When we understand the "why," our actions make more sense and have a clear purpose. Some of the reasons were:
- Because I like to see people happy.
- Because when I help, I feel good.
- Because I would like someone to help me if I need it.
- Because my parents taught me to be kind.
- Because I like being part of the group and helping others.
- Because I like sharing what I have and what I do.
- Because I want to make someone who is sad feel better.
These kinds of moments in class are the ones that really make a difference, especially during the seasons of generosity and gifts that Christmas brings. But it doesn’t have to be just in December; we can create a generous environment all year round.
I invite you to implement this strategy in your classroom: make a list with your students about what they could share, but most importantly, explore the "why." Leave that list in a visible place in the classroom. This activity has a magical power that transforms your class into a place full of generosity, not just for one month, but all year long.
When students understand the purpose of what they’re doing, they feel more motivated and connected to the activity. This approach not only helps them understand the value of their actions, but also promotes critical thinking, reflection, and the development of social skills. Moreover, by exploring the reasons behind their decisions and actions, students learn to make more mindful choices aligned with their beliefs.
As we embrace the spirit of generosity this December, I invite you to explore my resource on fostering generosity in the classroom. Santa Claus Generosity Craft and Writing Prompt Print and Digital Resource. This craft offers an engaging activity that will inspire your students to reflect on the true meaning of giving, creating a positive and compassionate classroom environment. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make this season even more meaningful for your students!
Luisa’s simple act of sharing reminds us that generosity is a powerful lesson. How can you create moments in your classroom that encourage students to reflect on the value of giving?
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