More On Sharing

Opinion Chart: Do You Always Have to Share?

Simone helped create this chart showing her understanding that there are many possible answers to a question. The children expressed their opinion and when Julia claimed she had the "right" answer we were able to talk about how these charts are not about finding the right answer but to better understand each others perspective; it's okay if we have different answers as long as our answer is the right one for us.

opinion chart

What's your opinion?

The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister may seem a simple story about sharing but it is rich for philosophical discussions. When the other fish try to play with Rainbow Fish he ignores them, feeling too beautiful to be bothered by others. When the little blue fish asks for a shiny scale Rainbow Fish's response is sharp and mean "Get away from me!"

"That's not friendly!" - Alfie. 

"Yes, that's rude!" - Sofia

I wondered with the children if the reason behind the other fish refusing to play with Rainbow Fish was because of how he responded to the little blue fish or was it because he wouldn't share. They had mixed responses.

listening to the story

Yesterday the children recognised that they have some things that
they would find very difficult to share.

"I could never share my doggie, it has to stay on my bed for sleeping, it's very important." - Esme

"It's hard for me to share my bed with my mom or my dad because the blankets get stuck down and I can't get my stuffies all around up top." - Julia

Bela agreed, his horse would be very difficult to share.

The children came up with an idea of what they could say if someone wanted to share something that was really important to them and they didn't want to. How could they deliver this message with care?

"No thank you, maybe later when I want to share."