Help Others Episodes & Activities:
Children love to BE BIG helpers! But as these episodes illustrate, it is quite normal for a child to be unsure or afraid of something unfamiliar or different. Identifying with character feelings will help the child learn more about personal feelings related to uncertain people or situations. A child can use examples in the stories to learn how characters turn their situations into positive experiences. By encouraging communication and logical reasoning, a child can begin to form independent ideas about how to perceive different people. A child that feels safe, secure and confident is more apt to be an ambitious, enthusiastic helper!
 
EPISODE: ISLANDER OF THE YEAR
CLIFFORD'S BIG IDEA: HELP OTHERS
SYNOPSIS: The library sponsors an essay contest for Islander
of the Year and the children all submit their ideas. But somehow,
all their tales feature Clifford, and he is ultimately chosen as the
winner. The kids learn that sometimes a real hero is the one you least
expect.
APPLICATION: This episode teaches children that helping people
every day in all sorts of ways is how we really make a difference
in other's lives. We don't have to be the most obvious helper but
one that is dependable and always ready and willing to serve others.
CLIFFORD'S NEW WORD: Hero
What is a real hero? A hero is someone that does something heroic,
brave, and unselfish. There are many kinds of heroes and they are
everywhere! You might think of a sports hero or a hero in a movie
you've seen but did you know that you could possibly live with one
or have one in your neighborhood? Think hard, ask around and find
some heroes that live or work close to you! Chances are they will
have a good story to share with you! |
| |
|
|
|
|
ACTIVITY:
|
Hero
For The Day! |
| OBJECTIVE: |
This
activity gives children the opportunity to reward heroes in their
own life by awarding them with a special hero badge! |
| |
Materials: |
Printable badge page, straight pins, scissors |
| |
What
to do: |
Surprise
your heroes with this special HERO BADGE OF HONOR! Color each badge,
cut it out, then find your hero and pin on his or her badge. What
a special surprise for them to be recognized by you! Be sure and tell
them why they are your hero! |
| |
More
dog-gone fun things to do!: |
| |
• |
Visit
your local library and discover the many books about heroes! |
| |
• |
Write
and draw about a famous hero in your community.
|
| |
|
|
Back To Top |
EPISODE:
WELCOME TO BIRDWELL ISLAND
CLIFFORD'S BIG IDEA: HELP OTHERS*
SYNOPSIS: This flashback episode tells the story of the day
the Howard family moved to Birdwell Island. The town is full of preconceived
ideas about what it will be like to have a huge dog on the island.
But they soon learn that Clifford has much to offer and they shouldn't
make assumptions before they know the facts.
APPLICATION: This episode teaches children that it isn't always
fair to judge someone by their appearance. It takes an effort by everyone
to get to know and appreciate someone new and different.
CLIFFORD'S NEW WORD: Island
What is an island? An island is a body of land completely surrounded
by water! You must travel by boat, fly, or swim to get to an island.
Have you ever heard of Hawaii? This is a group of islands located
in the big, blue Pacific Ocean. Do you live on an island? |
| |
|
|
|
| ACTIVITY: |
Island
Find |
| OBJECTIVE: |
This
activity gives the child an opportunity to recognize and locate the
islands of the world by using a globe or world map. |
| |
Materials: |
globe
or world map |
| |
What
to do: |
You
are about to go on a great journey around the world! Use your globe
or map to find every island in the world. They are all right before
your eyes! Which island is the largest? Name the island that is closest
to where you live? How do you get to an island? Are all islands shaped
the same? What keeps an island from floating away? Do you see an island
that would be very cold? Where do you think Birdwell Island might
be located? |
| |
More
dog-gone fun things to do!: |
| |
• |
Find
the oceans of the world on your globe or map. How many are there?
What can we all do to help keep our oceans clean? |
| |
• |
Go
to your library and find books about animals that live in the oceans.
There are thousands and thousands to discover! |
| *This
episode also supports Clifford's Big idea: HAVE RESPECT |
| |
|
|
|
EPISODE:
THE EARS HAVE IT
CLIFFORD'S BIG IDEA: HELP OTHERS
SYNOPSIS: T-Bone is afraid of the noises made by the annual
Founder's Day fireworks. But with the help of his friends, a compromise
is found that makes everyone happy. Cleo and Clifford are good friends
and understanding of T-Bone's fear of loud noises.
APPLICATION: This episode teaches children that everyone is
afraid of something and it is kind to respect someone else's fear.
A good friend can help us overcome our fears and feel better about
ourselves.
CLIFFORD'S NEW WORD: Noises
Noises can be soft, loud, scary, or peaceful. Noises are sounds that
someone or something makes. Name some noises you like and dislike.
Why do some noises scare us? And what noises make you laugh and feel
good? Make your favorite noise. How did Cleo and Clifford help T-Bone
not be so afraid of loud noises? |
| |
|
|
|
|
ACTIVITY:
|
Make
a Joyful Noise! |
| OBJECTIVE: |
This
activity gives children the opportunity to make a variety of simple
rhythm instruments and experimenting with their own self-expression! |
| |
Materials: |
Paper
plates, sticks, empty spools, bells, bottle caps, small boxes or cartons,
dried beans, dried peas or corn, pebbles, toweling rolls, cans, wire,
yarn or string, wood blocks, rocks, sticks, sandpaper |
| |
What
to do: |
Use
these material to create a variety of : shakers, cymbals, beaters,
clappers, tambourines, drums.
Suggestions:
- Remove plastic from inside bottle caps. Punch a hole in the center
of bottle caps. String caps on wire and begin shaking! You can also
string the wire through a towel roll to make an easy handle for your
caps.
- Stringing bells with spools makes an interesting instrument. Spools
can be painted to look seasonal or festive!
- Paper plates make great tambourines. Color the plates. Put pebbles,
dried peas, corn or beans between the plates and staple or sew the
plates together with bright yarn or string.
- Cartons or cans make great shakers. Just add the ingredients inside
to rattle and secure opening. How about some sticks to drum these
with?
- Paint two small blocks or rocks and glue sandpaper to them, then
begin rubbing! |
| |
More
dog-gone fun things to do!: |
| |
• |
Close
your eyes and listen. Identify all the different sounds you hear.
This is fun to do in different locations! What noises scared T-Bone?
|
| |
• |
Go
to your local music supply store and discover the many kinds of
instruments there are and their unique sounds.
|
| |
• |
What
would a world without noise be like for you? Find someone that knows
sign language and learn how to communicate with your friends without
making a single noise. This is a very rewarding and valuable skill
to learn!
|
| |
|
|
|
EPISODE: BEST PAW FORWARD
CLIFFORD'S BIG IDEA: HELP OTHERS
SYNOPSIS: Cement is being poured at the new Birdwell Island
recreation center and the kids and dogs are invited to leave their
handprints in the cement. But it is quickly discovered that Clifford’s
pawprint is just too big to stay! Seeing Clifford’s disappointment,
his friends work together to find a way to include Clifford—and everyone’s
delighted when Clifford’s pawprint becomes the new wading pool for
the very young children of Birdwell Island.
|
| |
|
|
Back
To Top |
EPISODE: MR. BLEAKMAN'S SPECIAL DAY
CLIFFORD'S BIG IDEA: HELP OTHERS
SYNOPSIS: Mr. Bleakman appears to the dogs to be particularly
grumpy one day. At first they are upset with him, but then they overhear
Mrs. Howard say that sometimes a grumpy attitude can be changed through
acts of kindness. This inspires the dogs to perform a series of "secret
good deeds" to see if they can turn Mr. Bleakman’s frown into a smile.
They are surprised to learn that performing kind acts makes them feel
much better too!
|
| |
|
|
Back
To Top |
|
