📖

Ivan's Promise: Understanding Commitment

Relationships and Change in Ivan

Day 104of 180
Week 21of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand the importance of keeping promises

2

Analyze character motivation in the story

3

Explore how promises reflect personal character

📖 Scripture Connection

Matthew 5:37

“But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No'. Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.”

— Matthew 5:37 (WEB)

Demonstrates the biblical importance of keeping one's word

📦 Materials Needed

  • The One and Only Ivan book
  • Promise Tracker worksheet
  • Colored pencils
  • Bible
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students in a circle and ask them to share a promise they've made and kept. Discuss why keeping promises matters.

💭 Review Question: What makes a promise important?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explore Ivan's promise to Stella about protecting Ruby. Discuss how promises show our character and commitment.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Promises are commitments we make to others
  • Keeping promises shows love and respect
  • God values honesty and integrity
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How did Ivan's promise change his actions?
  • Why was Ivan's promise to Stella so important?
  • How do promises help build trust?
3Activity: Promise Tracker Worksheet (10 min)
hands-on

Students create a visual representation of Ivan's promise and its impact

📝 Instructions:
  1. Draw Ivan in the center of the page
  2. Create arrows showing his promise to Stella
  3. Illustrate how the promise influences his actions
  4. Write key words describing promise and commitment
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use pre-drawn template with guidance

Challenge: Add dialog bubbles explaining motivations

4Closing (5 min)

Reflect on the importance of keeping promises and being trustworthy

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did you learn about promises today?
  • How can we show integrity like Ivan?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us to be honest and keep our promises, just as You are always faithful to Your word.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore how characters grow and change in the story

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 11:3

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”

— Proverbs 11:3 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Promise Pledge Poster

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Today's lesson focuses on promise-keeping and character integrity

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Discuss real-life examples of keeping promises
  • Encourage honest communication at home
  • Model promise-keeping for your child
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children may find it challenging to understand long-term commitment

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Evidence of understanding promise's importance and empathy for characters

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a family promise chart
  • Role-play scenarios about keeping promises
  • Write a short story about a promise

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 105 →Back to Literature