Read the book to junior high school students and facilitate a discussion on how to demonstrate patience when young children behave in age-appropriate ways. The tree demonstrates patience with the boy by accepting his needs according to his maturity. She does not try to change him or change his needs according to her wishes. Pair each junior high school student with an elementary school student and encourage the older student to accept the limited abilities of the younger child. Have the older students help create simple apple crafts with the younger students.
Each time the boy left, the tree waited patiently for his return. Ask elementary school students to name someone they might want to return. Suggest options such as an older sibling, grandparent or a friend who moved away. Let the students share how hard it can be to wait and how the person can return different than before. Ask each student to think of a gift he might want to give the absent person. Provide resources for students to create a representation of the gifts they want to give or to create the actual gifts.
Silverstein invested time to write the story and have it illustrated for children to enjoy. Explain how the author’s gift honors the reader. Challenge each student to patiently craft a story and illustrate it to share with a special friend or family member. Encourage each student to give the necessary time to edit and revise the story. Set a deadline for the completed projects. Honor the patience and work of each student author and illustrator by displaying the finished product.
The boy gives the Giving Tree the gift of his company and the Giving Tree gives the boy gifts that took time to create: apples, branches, trunk and the stump. Older students and adults may recognize the value of presence. They will also understand how many gifts take time and patience to create. Crochet or knit a Giving Tree blanket for someone who is lonely and needs comfort, or plant a garden to grow flowers and give away the flowers after they bloom. Make the commitment to patiently finish the task for a future gifting opportunity.