Activity time: 8 minutes

Materials for Activity

• A copy of story, "The Farmer's Legacy"
• Optional: “The Farmer's Legacy” coloring sheet (PDF), and crayons

Preparation for Activity

• Review and print out the story, "The Farmer's Legacy."
• Optional: Print the coloring sheet and copy for all participants. Place coloring sheets and crayons where children can use them when invited but will not be distracted beforehand.

Description of Activity

Gather the children in a circle so they may sit comfortably and hear you tell the story. You may say, in your own words:

Here is a story about one family's legacy. After I tell you this story, I am going to ask you what kind of legacy the farmer left for his children. So, listen carefully to figure out what the legacy might be.

Read aloud or tell the story, "The Farmer's Legacy." When you have finished, ask the group what the legacy was. Help the children understand that the legacy was more than the fields. By leaving the fields for his children to farm, the old farmer made sure they would have good food and a reason and a place to stay together as a family.

Including All Participants

Offer children the opportunity to color the illustration provided for “The Farmer's Legacy” to engage different learning styles and to help children focus on or relate to the story. A coloring activity can be a "preview" of a story. It can work as a quiet activity to help children physically settle. You might use it afterward to help the group recall and respond to the story.