"The Man and the Eagle" - Discussion Guide for Grades 3-8
Introduction
This discussion guide is designed for children ages 8-13 to explore the themes of diversity, acceptance, and kindness presented in "The Man and the Eagle" story. The questions and activities are tailored to be age-appropriate while encouraging critical thinking and empathy.
Key points to remember:
- Read the story aloud or have students read it individually before beginning the discussion.
- Encourage all students to participate, but don't force anyone to share if they're uncomfortable.
- Be prepared to explain unfamiliar words or concepts.
- Adapt the questions as needed based on your students' age, maturity, and background.
- Use the provided activities to reinforce learning through hands-on engagement.
- Be sensitive to students who may have personal experiences with discrimination or feeling different.
Remember, the goal is to foster understanding and promote kindness. Let the children's responses guide the conversation, and don't hesitate to dive deeper into topics that resonate with your group.
Story Summary
"The Man and the Eagle" (author unknown)
There was once a man who had never seen an eagle. One day, a beautiful and impressive eagle landed on his windowsill. When the man saw it, he exclaimed, "What an ugly creature!"
The man grabbed the eagle and pulled it into his house. "First, I'm going to fix that curved beak of yours," he said. He used a file to remove the hook in the eagle's beak.
"Those claws look dangerous," the man said as he clipped the eagle's claws until there was little left.
When he finished, the man said, "There, now you look better." He put the bird back on his open windowsill and shooed it away.
You can imagine how long the newly trimmed eagle lasted in the wild.
Questions for Discussion
1. Understanding the Story
- What did the man do to the eagle?
- Why do you think the man changed the eagle?
- How do you think the eagle felt after being changed?
2. Thinking About the Eagle
- Why are an eagle's sharp beak and claws important?
- What might happen to the eagle in the wild without its beak and claws?
- If the eagle could talk, what do you think it would say to the man?
3. Thinking About the Man
- Why do you think the man thought the eagle looked strange?
- Do you think the man knew much about eagles? Why or why not?
- What could the man have done instead of changing the eagle?
4. Connecting to Our Lives
- Have you ever seen something new that looked strange to you at first? What was it?
- How would you feel if someone tried to change the way you look?
- Can you think of a time when you met someone who looked different from you? What did you do?
5. Learning from the Story
- What do you think this story is trying to teach us?
- Is it okay to change someone just because they look different? Why or why not?
- How can we be kind to people who look different from us?
6. Thinking About Differences
- What makes people different from each other?
- Are differences between people good or bad? Why do you think so?
- Can you name three things that make you unique and special?
7. Being a Good Friend
- How can you make friends with someone who looks different from you?
- What would you do if you see someone being mean to another person because they look different?
- Why is it important to be kind to everyone, even if they're different from us?
8. Imagining a Better Ending
- If you could change the ending of the story, what would you make happen?
- What could the man have learned about eagles that might have changed how he acted?
- How could the man and the eagle have become friends instead?
Activity Ideas
- Draw a picture of the eagle before and after the man changed it.
- Write a short letter from the eagle to the man, telling him how it feels.
- Make a list of things that make you and your friends unique and special.
- Act out a scene where the eagle returns to the man's house after struggling in the wild. How might their conversation go?
Remember, there are no wrong answers! The most important thing is to think carefully and share your ideas respectfully.
Acknowledgment:
This activity was adapted, with modifications, from material originally produced by the Information and Communication Technologies in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Pennsylvania State University in 2004.
Also available: "The Man and the Eagle" - Discussion Guide for Grade 9 and Above