Peekapak's Peekaflu Lesson 7 - Our Elders | Social Emotional Learning for Elementary

Cody hears on the news that the Peekaflu is dangerous for older people. Most of them can’t have visitors and must stay in their rooms. Cody wants to do something for the older members of Peekaville. Can you help him?

Lesson 7: Our Elders

7A: Letter from Cody

Hi friends! It’s Cody here. 

My family and I are still at home. Are you? Yesterday, I wore my pajamas the whole day. It was awesome! But then I felt sleepy all the time. Zzzzz!

I heard on the news that the Peekaflu is dangerous for older people. Most of them can’t have visitors and must stay in their rooms. I’m pretty lucky that I get to be with my family. I can imagine that it’s a bit lonely and scary to be alone.

I want to do something for the older people in my community. I think maybe I’ll write them letters! I could add in some pictures, funny jokes, and a cool comic. Maybe they’ll even write back and we can become peeka-pen-pals! That’d be awesome.

Will you help me write some letters?

Your friend,

Cody

7B: Questions + Letter to Elder

• Parents/guardians, read the letter from Cody with your child(ren).
• Ask the following questions:
  • How is Cody feeling?
  • Why does Cody want to write letters to the elderly/senior citizens?
  • What types of things can Cody include in his letter?
  • Why do letters help show someone we care?
• Help Cody by writing a letter to a senior citizen, or elder, in your community. Use our template attached or create your own letter! Either mail the letter or take a picture and email it to a relative or to your local senior citizen center. How many can you write?
• Take a photo/video of your child’s letter(s) and post it on Twitter (tag @Peekapak). Cody may see it and respond!

SAMPLE:
Dear friend at <NAME OF CENTER>,

My name is <FIRST NAME>. 

Include a story, some interesting facts, a joke, a picture! You choose!

I hope you are staying healthy and safe!

Your friend,

<FIRST NAME>

7C: What is Wise Dialogue

Dialogue: Read the conversation between Cody and his dad. Act it out or maybe even use puppets.

Cody: Dad! Dad! Dad! I sent a letter to Kenji’s granny and she sent one back to me. She’s my first peeka-pen-pal! 

Dad: That’s wonderful Cody. What does it say?

Cody:  She said that she liked my comic book and all the fun facts I taught her. 

Dad: Are you going to write back?

Cody: Yes! I’m going to teach her all of the things I know, like who the coolest superheroes are right now and…and…the best strategy for winning berryball!

Dad: Hmmm… Instead of you teaching her. Maybe she could teach you?

Cody: Huh? But I’m the one in school.

Dad: That’s true, and you’ve learned a lot there. But elders are wise. 

Cody: What does ‘wise’ mean?

Dad: Being wise means you have experience, knowledge and good judgement. Wisdom comes with age. They’ve seen a lot more, met a lot more people, and had some big life experiences. 

Cody: That is true. Kenji always says he has a lot of respect for his granny because of the life she’s lived.

Dad: Exactly! We need to respect and listen to our elders. I think we should all go to Elder School.

Cody: That’s it! I’m going to ask Kenji’s granny to teach me something or tell me a story about her life. I could become wise too! Maybe I can even interview her on the phone?

Dad: Great idea Cody. I’ll sign up for Elder School too!

Inspired by the following story (great read for the adults!):  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/opinion/covid-home-school-grandparen…

7D: Elder School Activity 

• Senior citizens, or elders, have a lot of wisdom. They have met interesting people, visited fascinating places, and learned many life lessons along the way. 
• Reach out to a grandparent, senior citizen from the community (get help from a parent), or your new peeka-pen-pal and ask them to teach you something interesting! 
  • Example topics: 
    • A life lesson
    • What life used to be like (a typical day, their childhood, their job)
    • An interesting story from their past
    • An observation about life today
• Schedule a time for the activity (give them time to think about their topic!). 
• After your activity, write down (or draw) what you learned, have your child send in their summary or picture to their teacher and take a photo and post it on Twitter (tag @Peekapak). Cody may see it and respond!
• Write a letter of gratitude to your elder for giving you wisdom!

This lesson can be accessed as a Kahoot (interactive quiz): here

The rest of our COVID-19 social-emotional learning lessons can be accessed on our blog: here