TEXAS WOMANS UNIVERSITY

Domain Activity
Maria Abreu
Fall 2015
FS 3663.01
Dr. Snider

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Activity

Domain Activity (Social/Emotional)

Title of lesson: With our Hands
Grade Level: Kindergarten
Objectives: Given scenarios where hands can be used for caring rather than hurting, students
will be able to make better choices when they feel emotionally hurt or excited.
Materials: Book, Hands are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi, construction paper, popsicle
sticks, markers, glue and friends.
Summary or Description of Activity:
Begin by reading the book, Hands are Not for Hitting. This book tells how we can show caring
and love with our hands. The book gives examples of instead of hitting we can shake hands. We
can also draw with our hands. It explains that hands come in all shapes, shades and sizes. This
can be a great book to start off in kindergarten to help with the understanding of bullying and
also respecting each other.
After the book the students will trace their own hands and cut them out. On the back they will
write out a name of friend and on each finger they will write something special about that friend.
On the front side they will write their name and on the fingers they will write what makes a good
friend. After they complete it they will glue on the stick. They can read this out loud to the class
or to their friend.

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Age of Child/Type of Group for Activity:

This activity is great for kindergarten because of the writing abilities kindergartners are
developing, but can be modified to pre k by using the book and precut hands and having the
teacher write out what they want to express.
Connection to a Developmental Benchmark or Standard:
(8) Personal/interpersonal skills. The student understands ways to communicate
consideration and respect for self, family, friends, and others. The student is expected to:
(A) recognize and describe individual differences and communicate appropriately
and respectfully with all individuals;
(B) explain the importance of showing consideration and respect for teachers,
family members, friends, peers, and other individuals; and
(C) recognize and explain the importance of manners and rules for healthy
communication and treating others with respect.
What you learned, what questions you still have:
I never really thought about how a lesson could be individualized for a certain domain. This
particular activity focuses on the hands which the student uses for hurting, especially in the

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younger years. Questions I still have are how we might be able to incorporate this for older
students.
Sources:
Agassi PHd, M. (2002). Hands are Not for Hitting. Minneapolis: Free Spirit Publishing Inc.
The Pleasant Thing.com. (2012, June 25). Retrieved from The Pleasant Thing:
http://www.pleasantestthing.com/2012/06/friendship-high-fives.html