Fathers: Day One

Father Knows Best

Students consider a father's responsibilities and write letters to (make cards for) their fathers or caregivers.

Objectives

• describe the responsibilities of fathers.
• write letters (or make cards) to fathers, parents, grandparents, or caregivers to express thanks.

Weekly Words:

Father, dad, red, square

Materials Needed:

• books on Fathers
• paper
• pencils or pens
• computer and printer (optional)
  
• paint
• paper plate
• coloring pages (optional)
  

Lesson Plan:

Read a children's book with a Father/Father's Day theme. Talk about fathers and how important they are.

Read Exodus 20:12:
Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

and Proverbs 4:1:
Hear ye, children, the instructions of a father and attend to know understanding.

Fathers bear responsibilities beyond measure. In addition to providing support for their families, they often share the tough job of making decisions and rules that are sometimes not understood -- or popular -- with their children. However, activities such as this lesson can help kids see that sometimes what dad decides is for the best.

Begin this lesson with a discussion of the responsibilities of parents. Focus the students on the tasks that fathers may perform and list their suggestions as they brainstorm. These may include but are not limited to

• working (making money)
• buying groceries, clothing, house items
• car and house maintenance and repair
• managing money (paying bills, saving)
• lawn care
• pet care
• housekeeping
• caring for children
• cooking

Now ask the students to consider what their fathers (or caregivers) do specifically for them.

When they finish, share a story from your experience that describes a decision or rule made by a parent, why you didn't understand it when you were younger, and how you now do understand it. For example, you might explain that you weren't permitted to ride in friends' cars or attend a party with older kids and that you now know that those were not safe practices. Emphasize that you were too young and inexperienced to appreciate the good sense of the rule or decision at the time and why it was the right one. Describe how you recognize that your parent protected you from what could have been a harmful or an uncomfortable situation. Every person has similar revelations throughout childhood -- from not being allowed to cross the street alone to not being permitted to drive without an adult. Discuss some of the experiences your students have had with their parents, particularly their fathers.

Art/Enrichment:

Write a letter to, make a thank you card, or draw a picture for Dad, listing at least 3 things about your dad that you are thankful for on your card.

You could also do one of these art projects:

• HandPrint Art: spread a thin layer of paint on child's hand. Press down onto paper or onto the middle of a paper plate. Cut around the inner circle and attach the following quotation:

I miss you when we're not together
I'm growing up so fast
See how big I've gotten
Since you saw me last?
As I grow, I'll change a lot,
The years will fly right by.
You'll wonder how I grew so quick
When and where and why?
So look upon this handprint (these handprints)
That's hanging on your wall.
And memories will come back of me,
When I was very small.

OR

Sometimes you get so discouraged
Because I am so small
And always leave my fingerprints
On furniture and walls.

But every day I'm growing up
And soon I'll be so tall
That all those little handprints
Will be hard to recall.

So here's a special handprint
Just so that you can say,
This is how my fingers looked
When I placed them here today.

• Footprint Art: (similar to hand print, but with footprints)
  

"Walk a Little slower, Daddy." said a little child so small.

I'm following in your footsteps and I don't want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast, sometimes they're hard to see;
So walk a little slower Daddy, for you are leading me.

Someday when I'm all grown up, You're what I want to be.
Then I will have a little child who'll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right, and know that I was true;
So, walk a little slower, Daddy, for I must follow you!!

Songs:

"My Dad" (LDS Children's Songbook)

My daddy is my fav’rite pal,
And I help him ev’ry day.
It’s plain to see I want to be
Like him in ev’ry way.
He teaches me that honesty
Is best in all I do.
I’m very glad that he’s my dad,
And I know he loves me too.

"Daddy's Homecoming" (LDS Children's Songbook)

I’m so glad when daddy comes home,
Glad as I can be;
Clap my hands and shout for joy,
Then climb upon his knee,
Put my arms around his neck,
Hug him tight like this,
Pat his cheeks, then give him what?
A great big kiss.

Improvise actions as suggested by the words.

Words: Anon.

Music: Frances K. Taylor, 1870–1952. Arr. © 1989 IRI

"I Love Daddy"
(To the tune of: Are you sleeping?)

I love Daddy, I love Daddy.
Yes, I do. Yes, I do.
And my Daddy loves me, and my Daddy loves me.
Yes, he does, yes he does.

"D-A-D-D-Y"
(To the tune of: B-I-N-G-O)
I love him and he loves me
And daddy is his name o

D-A-D-D-Y
D-A-D-D-Y
D-A-D-D-Y

and daddy is his name-o

More fun ideas:

• from Education World
• from Teachnology