Materials: Mae Among the Stars – Book, Class set of shooting star cutouts, Coloring supplies (whatever students have for classroom use), 1 empty tennis ball container, & 1 extra copy of shooting stars
Instructions:
1. Start today’s activity by asking students what it means to dream about something or have a dream of doing something. After a few responses, share with students that they are about to hear a story about a little girl who had a dream of being an astronaut.
2. Read Mae Among the Stars aloud to the students.
***NOTE: If teacher allows, you can move the students to a “group” setting (carpet, reading space).***
3. After finishing the story, engage in a few follow-up questions with the students (i.e. Do you have any dreams of what you want to do or be? Have you ever had a dream to do something and it happened? Who do you have in your life that helps you with your dreams like Mae’s mom?) Spend about 5 minutes on this discussion with students.
4. At this point, break students up into small groups (4-5 students per group), preferably at tables or desks. Mentors should join students in these small groups (at least one mentor per group). Each group will need shooting start cutouts (1 per student) and pencils and/or coloring supplies.
5. Mentors should continue the discussion about dreams with students. Talk to students about their dreams, what they believe they want to do when they get older, or anything they would love to do in general. Instruct students to write or draw these items on their shooting star (assist students as necessary with spelling). Students can include items on both sides of their star/write more than one thing. Encourage students to color or decorate their star. Mentors can fill out a star as well if there are enough!
6. Once students have finished up their stars, come back together as a whole group. Give students the opportunity to share what they wrote or drew on their stars if they would like to.
7. At this time, get the tennis ball container ready. One mentor can walk around with the container, and a few other mentors can walk around with stickers. Have each student pick one sticker to add to the container. This container represents the collective “dream rocket” for the class! All the shooting stars will be kept in this rocket to remind students they can dream big and keep working to make that dream happen.
8. Collect all of the shooting stars and put them into the rocket. Present the rocket to the teacher for them to find a space in the classroom for it to sit. Encourage students to talk to their families and friends about whatever they wrote on their star.
9. Feel free to reference the “dream rocket” at future visits!
Tips: Optional: Provide stickers for students to decorate the class tennis ball container! Allow each student to pick one sticker to put on the container. Mentors and teacher(s) can also add a sticker. Optional: Decorate the container to look like a rocket with paper wings, flames, etc.
