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THE DAY YOU BEGIN

ABC BUILDING YEAR LESSON 4

PROJECT CORNERSTONE

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1. THE DAY YOU BEGIN| @2025 YMCA Project Cornerstone

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ABC Building Year

Key Phrases

Every Voice Feels Heard
Embrace Differences

2. THE DAY YOU BEGIN| @2025 YMCA Project Cornerstone

Refer to Lesson Plan, page 1

Refer to Outline: page 1

This book builds the developmental relationships in:

Express Care – Listen, Believe in Me, Encourage

Expand Possibilities – Inspire, Connect, Broaden Horizons

In our lesson today, our goals are to:

Students will learn how to embrace and nurture themselves and others in order to feel fulfilled.
Students will speak their voice to advocate for themselves and others.
Students will recognize and value all dimensions of diversity.
Students will accept differences as a measure of each person’s uniqueness.
Students will practice inclusive behaviors to create a caring school climate.

Social and Emotional Learning: Social Awareness (tolerance, acceptance, belonging, and safety)

This book provides opportunities for conversations around tolerance and acceptance of others. It also makes us aware of the importance of creating a school where all kids share a sense of belonging and safety. The activities in this lesson will provide opportunities to practice integrating social, emotional, and ethical behaviors into the culture of your school.

Jacqueline Woodson’s narration of the book can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDs5d_qFbEs

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Inclusion: Where Everyone Belongs�

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THE DAY YOU BEGIN| @2022 YMCA Project Cornerstone

Definition of Inclusion

The full engagement, participation, and development of all in welcoming environments where we are accepted, supported, and valued. Embrace differences with respectful words and actions.

Refer to Lead Guide, Inclusion, pages 7-8

Inclusion Skills

Show the Inclusion Video.
Ask students if they have something new that they learned from last month to add to the list.
Ask for examples of what they did as a result of last book?

Focus on These Inclusion Skills

The aim of inclusion is to embrace all people irrespective of race, gender, disability, medical or other need.

Accept and celebrate differences.
UPstanders practice intentional acts of caring.
Practice inclusive behaviors to create a caring school.
Show empathy to others.
Speak your voice.

How to Help Students Become Inclusion Ambassadors

At PC and the Y, We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.

We nurture and intentionally promote a culture free of bias and injustice. We recognize the uniqueness of each individual person and celebrate all dimensions of diversity. We are committed to dismantling oppressive systems, and hold ourselves accountable to identify and put in place long term policies designed to eliminate racism and inequity.

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Inclusion Makes The World More Vibrant

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If we’re aiming to teach our children to be tolerant, we need to start by opening ourselves up. We need to stop judging others based on the way they look, speak, or they move. We need to be ready to put on their shoes and walk their way.

Diversity is not enough though. The real challenge is to accept, celebrate, and integrate the voices of all those people with whom we don’t necessarily share the same perspective.

Inclusion is about inviting others to fully and actively participate in the life of our community. Inclusion means integrating all diverse people and treating them with the same respect and dignity.

For instance, educational inclusion secures opportunities for students with disabilities to learn alongside their non-disabled peers in general education classrooms. This video illustrates that physical disabilities such as blindness are not limits but just a different way of living life.

Inclusion Makes the World More Vibrant:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXY5TyCUTlo&list=PLHcKb7r1rrclkn7mhuCytkE3AEI5xfWc-&index=5&t=83s

�

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Conversation

Starter

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Refer to Lesson Plan, page 2

How to deal with bias during discussions (What we permit, we promote!)

When students share put downs or bucket dipping experiences, it is likely they will share derogatory labels and stereotypes about race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender. Some children may be passing on comments they have heard, but not understood. Others may reflect the bias deeply embedded in our society. Regardless of the roots of the comments, remember no child is born prejudiced - the ideas are learned. When you hear a comment expressed, don’t be afraid to take a second and say something. A response to what you heard is better than ignoring the situation. Here are some ways and ideas to respond:

Respond thoughtfully and simply say:

Everyone at our school deserves to feel safe and cared for.

Everyone deserves our kindness and respect.

Remember we fill buckets in this class.

It’s not OK to use that phrase.

Be gentle and instructive. Say:

What do you mean by that?

Do you know what that means?

You may not have meant to be hurtful, but when you use the word “____” to mean something is bad or stupid, it is hurtful. Do you know why?

Correct and inform students in a non-judgmental way.

If you have time to educate on the spot, do it.

If not, mention the incident to the teacher.

Encourage empathy by asking children to imagine how they would feel if that particular comment was said about them. �

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Conversation Starter: �Feeling Different

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Refer to Lesson Plan, Conversation Starter, page 3

Refer to Outline, page 1

Option One Grades K-3

Bring in a puppet. Introduce your friend. What is something about you that’s different from everyone else? How are people alike on the inside? Pair students off and have them stand up. Ask them to look at other and ask the following questions and share out loud:

“How are you and your classmate alike?”.

“How are you and your classmate different?”

“What is something you’re good at?”

“How can you help someone?”

Use this video to show that seeing the differences in one other is a learnt behavior. https://www.facebook.com/cbeebies/videos/1318677894834176/

Option One Grades 4-6

Ask, “Have you ever walked into a room full of people who seemed different than you?” Think about this for a minute. “How did you feel? What made you feel that way?” Discuss your feelings and how they changed as time passed. Now ask, “What do you think students would say about you when they met you for the first time?”

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Conversation Starter: Grades K-5�Feeling Unique �

Have you ever felt closed up and small?

Have you ever felt that you grew and opened?

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8. THE DAY YOU BEGIN| @2025 YMCA Project Cornerstone

Refer to Lesson Plan, Conversation Starter, page 2

Show students a dry sponge.

Ask, “Have you ever felt closed up and small like this sponge? Tell me about this.”
Have them brainstorm why they think the 2 sponges are different. All answers are welcome.
Ask, “What will happen if we put this sponge into a glass of water?”

Put the sponge into a glass of water. The sponge should expand, grow bigger, and become more open.

Ask, “What happens when we add water?” That’s right. It grew and opened.
Ask, “Have you ever felt that you grew and opened?”
Tell us more about your experience.
What if water in this case was like our attitude? Attitude makes a whole difference in the way we live our life. The way we look, we dress, we think, we act, and simply the way we are makes us unique. There’s no one single person alike. We are all unique like snowflakes or grains of sand.

Each of us have value to add, and we shouldn’t refrain ourselves from actively engaging in the life of our classroom, our school, and our neighborhood. The world needs YOU! Let’s read the story to see how you can grow and open up to be unique.

(Idea from Fifth Grader at Carlton Elementary.)

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Reading

The Book

9. THE DAY YOU BEGIN| @2025 YMCA Project Cornerstone

Refer to Lesson Plan, Read the Book, page 3

Upper Grades have the option to recap the story instead of reading the book. Check to make sure all students remember important points. If not, ask the students to recap the main points. (Look for opportunities for Upper Graders to be empowered and to practice and internalize the tools.)

Show this “Anti-Exclusion Video” and follow up with slide 12:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXtxFzuGaxY

Steve Hartman this month is about empathy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULweH40OqQE

Music video: Dustin Paul & Nissim Black-Human Greatness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HxjWn_7FdI

Follow up the video with discussion and choose one activity:

Common Ground
Crossing the Line
Weave Your Own Story
What does a Caring Person Say and Do?
Role Plays and Digital Citizenship Role Plays
Incredible Egg

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Reading the Book:

10. THE DAY YOU BEGIN| @2022 YMCA Project Cornerstone

Refer to Lesson Plan, Read the Book, page 3

Special Note to ABC Leads:

The Day You Begin addresses feeling different. Although it is not explicitly mentioned in the book, we can help students have a conversation on how to accept and tolerate those that look, sound or behave different than us.

Read the title, author, and illustrator as you show the cover of the book. Ask students to think about the title. Start by asking a few questions:

What does the title mean?
What clues does the cover give you?

As we read the book:

Use your eyes to look for rulers. Every time you see one, flash a thumbs up.
Use a growth mindset to discover something new from this book.
Think about how it feels when you walk into a room.

Option: Do a picture walk without reading the words. (It’s a way to raise interest and to check where the class is standing regarding being accepting and tolerant).

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Discussing

The Book

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Discussion: Grades K-2

• When the children in the book share their stories, how do they show they are listening with their bodies and faces? How can we show someone we are really listening to their story?

• Think about a time you felt a little shy or different. What is one small thing someone could have done to make you feel more comfortable or included?

• The book talks about different languages. Is there a special word or phrase from your family's language or culture that you could share with us? (Encourage simple, non pressured sharing).

• What does it mean to be "brave" in this story? How did the characters show bravery?

• If you saw someone new or quiet in our classroom, what's one kind thing you could say or do to help them feel like they belong?

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Discussion Grades 3-5

The book says, "There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you." Can you think of a time when you felt like the "only one" in a situation, even if it wasn't about race or culture? What did that feel like?

• How does the author use the illustrations to show how the characters are feeling before and after they share their stories? What visual clues do you notice?

• When the characters finally share their stories, what shifts or changes in the classroom? How does their bravery impact the other students?

• The book uses the idea of a story being "your own." Why is it important to own your story, even the parts that might feel different or difficult?

• Sharing Stories: What happens when students share their differences? How does that change the room? How are they "UPstanders" by listening?

• Making Space: What does it mean to "make space" for someone's story? How can we do that?

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Discussion: Grades3-6 Extended Discussion

Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.

Maya Angelou

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Call people IN

VS

Call people OUT

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Discussion: Inclusive Behaviors

The Day You Begin to…

Greet each other authentically
Resolve misunderstandings and disagreements immediately
Listen
Speak clearly, directly, and honestly
Use your voice
Understand everyone has value to add
Invite others to share
Be brave

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Activity Ideas:

Very similar to Rene Has Two Last Names, pick one that’s a little different than last time!

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Activity Idea: Grades K-5�Kindness Garden/Kindness Tree

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“We’re unique and beautiful” Bouquet

Refer to Lesson Plan, Activity Options, page 4

Refer to Pre-recorded Video Conversation and Activity

Leaves Are Unique

Discuss with the students about how all leaves are unique, yet they all provide shade, just like we are all unique and that our differences should be celebrated. Remind them that it is easy to be kind to people we have things in common with. It is much harder to be kind toward people who we think are “different”. To be inclusive we must be open to learning about each other and discovering what we have in common and learn more about each other’s differences.

Have each student think of a special food they eat at home or the word they use to say hello in their family.
Have them draw a picture or write a few sentences in the center of the leaf.
Then share and paste it on the mural titled “Our Inclusive Tree”
Point out the roots and the important words written in them, such as include, embrace differences, kindness, fill buckets.
If reading in December, the students could make a sky filled with unique snowflakes instead.

Refer to original Lesson Plan to see a similar activity using a Bouquet of Flowers.

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Activity Idea: Grades 2-5�Finding Common Ground�

EVERYONE’

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Refer to Lesson Plan, Activity Options, page 5

Refer to Outline, page 4

Number off the students in 1, 2, 3, 4. Have each student go to the corner of the classroom where they see their number. Give the students 5-10 minutes to discuss and write a list of things that they all have in common. They can each write a list or one list.

When time is up, ask each group to quickly say one thing they have in common. Ask the next group and so on. A group is out if they repeat a trait, run out of items, or take longer than 3 seconds. When the groups no longer have a common thing, have the students count the number of things they listed. *Great Group Games by Susan Ragsdale and Ann Saylor

As a debrief ask:

What strategy did you use to find out what you had in common?
Did you find you had more in common than you thought?
How often do we stereotype people before trying to find common ground?
In what ways can you learn about what people are really like?

This activity can be combined with Maya Angelou Video for 4-6^th graders on the Human Family:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL_ofpwicsc

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�Activity Idea: Grades K-5 �What Makes You Shine

Everyone in our class is special

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Activity Idea: Grades 3-5 Crossing the Line

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Refer to Lesson Plan pages 8-9

Crossing the Line is a dynamic activity. Fun and deep reflection are almost guaranteed. However, it is recommended to plan it carefully as the class will need room to move around. You need permission from the teacher to do this activity outside the classroom.

Draw, tape, or string a long line down the middle of the room. Have the students stand on both sides of the line facing each other. Tell the students you are going to read some statements and if the statement applies to them, they are to silently cross the line. After you read each statement, the students walk back to their original side. Let students know that they can pass and remind them this is done silently.

Cross the line if you can identify with the statement:

Play sports
Are a sports fan
Like to play video games
Like to read books
Were born in another country
Were born in this country
Speak a second language

There are more statements in the Lesson Plan itself, as well as a list of debriefing questions such as:

How did it feel to cross the line?

How did it feel to stay behind?

How did this experience explore uniqueness?

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Closing

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Closing: Reinforce Lesson Goals

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How do you measure up?

“Any room you walk into, should be grateful for your presence.”Jacquline Woodson

Refer to Lesson Plan, Closing, page 6

Refer to Outline, Three Minute Huddle, page 4

The illustrator of the book, Rafael Lopez, drew rulers throughout the book. This was a visual way to reinforce the author’s message of how we doubt ourselves and think we don’t measure up. As we leave today, I want you to think of how you would answer this question:

How will you grow and expand to be a better person?
How can you use your body, face, and words to be a kind, more welcoming, and accepting person?
How can we measure ourselves in a group, so that the norm is to be welcoming, inclusive and accepting?

Your exit ticket is to say one action you intend to practice and model for others at school and at home. This can be something you want to work on internally or externally. (Positive self-talk, speaking up, talking to others, friendship boosters, etc.)

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Reminders

Please remember to log your lesson when you deliver it!

YMCA Volunteer Celebration: Friday, December 12, 2025, 9:45–11:00 a.m.

Campbell Community Center – Orchard City Banquet Hall�1 West Campbell Ave., Campbell, CA 95008
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Free event (registration required [REGISTER HERE] )

Next training date (mandatory): February 4, 8:05-9am.