journey to a new planet -a teaching activity
DESCRIPTION
In this activity, the participants will differentiate between wants and needs and demonstrate understanding of basic human rights.TRANSCRIPT
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Journeyto a New Planet
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ED » Newsprint and markers
» Copies of the resource titled “Wants and Needs Cards.” You will need to create one set of cards for every two participants. Note: Choose any 16 from those provided.
» Prepare a simple drawing of the solar system and a spaceship (optional).
Activity StepsINVITE THE PARTICIPANTS to each find a partner.
EXPLAIN that Mission Control (which you represent) has discovered a new planet and each pair will go there to start up a new community. Set the mood by naming the planet and the reasons for going there.
ASK THE PARTICIPANTS to close their eyes and imagine the new planet. Tell them to form a picture of this community in their minds. Ask them to quietly consider these questions: » How long will it take to get there? » What does it look like? » Do other people live there? » Where will you set up the new community? » What will you want in this new community? » What will you need in this new community?
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IN THIS ACTIVITY, the participants will differentiate between wants and needs and demonstrate understanding of basic human rights.
T I M E R E Q U I R E D : 2 0 M I N U T E S | I N T E N D E D F O R G R A D E S 2 - 5
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4 ASK THE PARTICIPANTS to open their eyes and discuss their ideas with their partners. Allow a few minutes for the discussions to take place.
PROVIDE EACH PAIR with a set of cards that you created from the resource. Then, explain that Mission Control will provide each pair with 16 items they may bring with them to set up their new community. Ask them to spread out the cards and examine them.
ANNOUNCE that Mission Control has warned that space on the spaceship is limited. The pairs can now take only 12 items on the spaceship. Ask the pairs to decide which four items they will eliminate and to set aside those cards.
INFORM THE PARTICIPANTS that Mission Control has issued an emergency announcement that even less space is now available. The pairs can now take only eight items with them. Ask them to decide which four items they will eliminate and to set aside those cards. Each pair should now have only the eight most essential items for their survival.
GATHER THE PARTICIPANTS into a large group and engage them in discussion using the following questions: » What was difficult about doing this activity? What was easy? » Which items were easy to discard first? Why? » Were some items harder to eliminate than others? Which ones? Why? » What is the difference between a want and a need? » What does a person truly need for survival?
CONCLUDE BY INVITING the participants to join you in prayer. Pray for the rights of all people throughout the world. Pray that all people, especially children, will have what they need to thrive. Pray for a world where everyone is treated fairly and needs are always met.
(This activity is adapted from Susan Fountain, Education for Development: A Teacher’s Resource for Global Learning; London, England: Hodder and Stoughton Publishing, 1995. © 1995 by Hodder and Stoughton Publishing. All rights reserved. Used with permission)
Copyright © 2011 by World Vision Inc., Mail Stop 321, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716, [email protected]. All rights reserved.
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Permission to reproduce is granted. © 2011 by World Vision Inc.
Nutritious food
Television
Spending money
Clean air
Your own bedroom
Friends
Clean water
Fast food
Fashionable clothing
Protection fromdiscrimination
Ability to expressyour opinion
Family
Music
Vacation
Shelter
Education
Medical care
Your own computer
RESOURCE 3
Wants and Needs Cards
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About World VisionWORLD VISION is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. We see a world where each child experiences “fullness of life” as described in John 10:10. And we know this can be achieved only by addressing the problems of poverty and injustice in a holistic way. That’s how World Vision is unique: We bring 60 years of experience in three key areas needed to help children and families thrive: emergency relief, long-term development, and advocacy. And we bring all of our skills across many areas of expertise to each community we work in, enabling us to care for children’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Partnering with World Vision provides tangible ways to honor God and put faith into action. By working, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families who are struggling to overcome poverty. To find out more about how you can help, visit www.worldvision.org.
About World Vision ResourcesENDING GLOBAL POVERTY and injustice begins with education: understanding the magnitude and causes of poverty, its impact on human dignity, and our connection to those in need around the world.
World Vision Resources is the publishing ministry of World Vision. World Vision Resources educates Christians about global poverty, inspires them to respond, and equips them with innovative resources to make a difference in the world.
For more information about our resources, contact:
World Vision ResourcesMail Stop 321
P.O. Box 9716Federal Way, WA 98063-9716
Fax: [email protected]
www.worldvisionresources.com