Introduction
Start the lesson by explaining that today we are learning about what it means to be a good neighbour. What is a neighbour? Neighbours are people who live beside or near each other. Neighbours could also be people who work beside each other or go to school together. Discuss the importance of being a good neighbour in your school community. Talk about why it is important to treat others how you wish to be treated in the classroom and at home.
Remind young students that Canada is the country we live in. Mention that it is also important that Canada is a good neighbour to other countries around the world. One way we do that is through our military. Members of our army, navy and air force travel all over Canada and around the world to help people.
Explain they are going to watch a video called Being a good neighbour. They will learn about what being a good neighbour means from two Remembrance Club animals, Squeaker and Gandy.
Watch the video
Watch the animated video Being a good neighbour. Students will learn from the Remembrance Club animals how Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members have helped around the world.
Video discussion
Following the video, ask your students what they remember. How did Squeaker and Gandy help in their neighbourhood? How did Canadian Armed Forces members help people? Make a list of what students remember.
The Remembrance Club animals showed how the people in the Canadian Armed Forces have travelled around the world to help countries in need. For example, Canadian Armed Forces members help if there are forest fires, hurricanes and ice storms. They help bring food to people, protect peace and help to make sure people are safe.
Can students remember some of the different jobs they saw in the video? Do they remember seeing doctors? Did they see people helping bring food? Did the students notice that Canadian Armed Forces members even helped by bringing little toys to brighten the days of children who live in countries that are at war. Canada is being a good neighbour when we help people living in another country.
Remind students that they can be good neighbours, too! Squeaker talked about making a list with his friends of how to be a good neighbour. Let’s do the same! How can they be helpful at home and at school? Create a list with your class. It might include things like:
At school:
- Ask another student to sit with you on the bus
- Share toys at recess
- Give compliments to your classmates
- Ask a new friend to play
- Help your teacher with class chores
At home or in your neighbourhood:
- Help clean up your dishes after a meal
- Say hello to your neighbours
- Clean up litter
- Help shovel after a snow storm
- Plant trees or flowers
- Create a free mitten or scarf tree
Students can use the list you created as a reference for the activities that will follow. You can continue to refer and add to it.
Wrap up your discussion by concentrating on feelings. How do students feel when they are helping others? How does it make them feel that Canada is a good neighbour to other countries in need? Lead the discussion so students include positive personal feelings like happiness and pride as well as thankfulness. It is important for us to thank people, like our Veterans, for helping us and other people in Canada and also for helping people in other countries.