“Stars Shine Brightly” is an arts resource, complete with world folk tales and original music, developed for grade levels K-5. Activities are for the classroom and include: Storytelling, Music, Dance, Theater, and Visual Art. “Stars Shine Brightly” is aligned with Arizona educational standards in ELA, World/Language, Arts; and Socio-Emotional competencies.
Fifth Grade Teacher Guides: Below are five sequential Fifth Grade cultural activities in Storytelling, Music, Theater, Dance, and Visual Art. Each activity begins with a group discussion (Prospecting for Gold) and ends with a class challenge (Golden Rule Challenge). As you use this resource in the classroom, your students will deepen their understanding of the Golden Rule, “Treating others the way they want to be treated,” through the life guiding principles of Kindness, Empathy, Respect, and Civility.
Arts Experience #1
Storytelling
AZ PO Strands
5.RL.2, COM.N.1, 5.SL.1
Golden Rule Focus
Students will discuss and consider the impact of how they treat others.
Objectives
Reading Literature (5.RL.2) Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details of the text.
Communities (COM.N.1) Recognize a few letters or characters and learned words and phrases.
Speaking/Listening (5.SL.1) Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners and in small and larger groups. Follow agreed‐upon rules for discussions.
Materials
AGREE Website Resources: “The Magic Bead” Resource, “he ai” Audio Resource, “zhi hui” Audio Resource ( on this page), Civil Discussion
Additional Resources: Character Name Tags, Paper and pencils
Prospecting for Gold Consider rewarding students for their Golden Rule efforts by creating a jar for “gold nuggets” with a promised reward for filling it up.
Cultural Focus
Foreign Language Audio Resource
BEFORE YOU BEGIN…
Establish Civil Discussion in your classroom. The Civil Discussion guide uses the Golden Rule as an agreed upon standard of conduct that can be used to discuss a variety of topics (aligned with AZ State standard 1.SL.1-1.SL.5). To begin each Art Experience, use Civil Discussion guidelines while holding class discussions (“Prospecting for Gold”).
Prospecting for Gold: What does it mean to ‘live’ the Golden Rule?
Golden Rule Activity:
- “It’s time for a Golden Rule Experience! (Prospecting for Gold) What does it mean to ‘live’ the Golden Rule?“
- “In this series of Arts Experiences, we will be preparing to become Golden Rule Warriors, or individuals who can be counted on to live the Golden Rule.”
- Ask your class to think about what it could mean for them to become a “Golden Rule Warrior.” Invite them to share their responses.
- Have each student create an artistic depiction of what a Golden Rule Warrior might look like.
- Allow them to express their creativity when deciding what their warrior might be wearing.
- Help them consider where their Golden Rule Warrior might be.
- Invite them to draw what their Golden Rule Warrior might be doing.
- Remind them that a Golden Rule Warrior is an individual who can be counted on to live the Golden Rule.
Telling the Stories:
- “As we journey to become Golden Rule Warriors, we will read a story and determine what the theme or moral is. Read or listen to “The Magic Bead” Resource.
- Have a classroom discussion about the moral of the story, consider asking the following questions:
- What were the Candy Maker’s actions? (e.g., left his house, helped the animals, helped the emperor)
- What happened because of the Candy Maker’s actions? (e.g., emperor was cured, animals chose to help him in return)
- What does our class think the moral of the story is? (e.g., help to be helped, giving is the key to a golden journey, etc.)
- “This way of living is ‘treating others the way you like to be treated,’ the Golden Rule. Two descriptive words for the Golden Rule are ‘kind’ and ‘wise’. In Mandarin Chinese, these words are “he ai” (kind) and “zhi hui” (wise) Audio Resource on this page for pronunciation.
- Which characters were he ai (kind) and zhi hui (wise)?
- “To be wise is to show knowledge and good judgment.” Ask students to write down their answer to the following question and pass it in.
- How is being kind also wise?
- Write the Golden Rule Challenge on the whiteboard or print to post and display it somewhere visible in the classroom. Read the Golden Rule Challenge as a class, “As Golden Rule Warriors, we will be ‘he ai’ (kind) and ‘zhi hui’ (wise) in how we treat others.”
Golden Rule Challenge: As Golden Rule Warriors, we will be “he ai” (kind) and “zhi hui” (wise) in how we treat others.
Arts Experience #2
Music
AZ PO Strands
5.MU.PR.6a, COM.N.1, 5.SL.1
Golden Rule Focus
Students will focus on slowing down before acting and consider the part they play in the world.
Objectives
Music Performing (5.MU.PR.6a) Perform music with appropriate expression, technique, and interpretation.
Communities (COM.N.1) Recognize a few letters or characters and learned words and phrases.
Speaking/Listening (5.SL.1) Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners and in small and larger groups. Follow agreed‐upon rules for discussions.
Materials
AGREE Resources:
“wo men shi yi ge zheng ti” Audio Resource (on this page), Kung Fu & Tai Chi Video Resource, “We are All One World” Music Resources, “We are All One World” Lyrics Resource, Musical Instruments Visual Resource
Cultural Focus
Foreign Language Audio Resource
Prospecting for Gold: How have you been ‘he ai’ (kind) and ‘zhi hui’ (wise) in how you treat others?
Singing the Song:
- “It’s time for a Golden Rule Experience! (Prospecting for Gold) How have you been ‘he ai’ (kind) and ‘zhi hui’ (wise) in how you treat others?
- “To be ‘zhi hui’ (wise) it is important to think before responding. One way to do this is to train yourself to breathe deeply before making a decision, especially when it affects others.”
- “We will be learning a song with movements inspired by the art of Tai Chi. These movements will help us slow down. While learning these movements, be aware of each other and,‘Never do to others that which would be hurtful to yourself.’”
- “The title of the song is ‘We are One.’ In Mandarin Chinese, it is said like this, ‘wǒmen shì yī’ (“wo men shi yi ge zheng ti” Audio Resource on this page.)” Have your students practice saying “wǒmen shì yī”.
- Have your students find a space in the classroom to move and teach the movements by reading the following prompts:
- “Stand with your legs together, arms to your sides. Breathe in and slowly stretch your arms out to the side and raise them till they are high above your head. As you reach high, begin to slowly bring hands down through the center of your body, breathing out as your hands reach your heart, bring your hands together, right hand in fist and left hand gently covering the fist. Bow by leaning forward at the waist, keeping the back flat.
- “Lift your right leg, keeping your knee bent and breathe in as you move forward slowly, carefully stepping on to the right foot in one smooth motion, simultaneously pushing your palms or hands forward as if moving through water.”
- “Bring your hands down to your side, elbows bent, hands in fists with palms up. As you do this, breathe out and simultaneously lift your leg back to center, standing with your legs straight in an A shape.”
- “Breathe in as you step your feet together, keeping your knees bent and raise your arms out in front of your chest and then circle your hands as if holding a ball of energy, breathing as you turn your hands to the right and to the left.”
- Practice the steps with your students. Use the Kung Fu & Tai Chi Video Resource to see an example of the motions.
- Use the “We are All One World” Music Resources (0:00-0:32) to practice the movements with the music.
- Invite your students to sit in a circle on the ground or at their desks, and have them repeat each line of the lyrics after you:
- We are all one world
- Every boy and girl can give
- We all play a part
- We are Young: But our voices matter
- We are Here Now: Standing close together
- We will lift each other
- As a class discuss the lyrics:
- What does it mean to be one world?
- How does everyone play a part?
- How do we lift each other?
- Write the Golden Rule Challenge on the whiteboard or print to post and display it somewhere visible in the classroom. Read the Golden Rule Challenge as a class, “As Golden Rule Warriors, we will slow down and recognize how our actions impact others.”
Golden Rule Challenge: As Golden Rule Warriors, we will slow down and recognize how our actions impact others.
Arts Experience #3
Theater
AZ PO Strands
5.TH.CR.2b, 5.RL.3, 5.SL.1
Golden Rule Focus
Students will ask questions and practice understanding how other people think, feel, and act.
Objectives
Theater Creating (5.TH.CR.2b) Participate in defined responsibilities required to present a theatrical work informally to peers.
Reading Literature (5.RL.3) Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text.
Speaking/Listening (5.SL.1) Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners and in small and larger groups. Follow agreed‐upon rules for discussions.
Cultural Focus
Prospecting for Gold: When strong feelings arise, how can we be zhi hui (wise) with our responses?
Reading the Script:
- “It’s time for a Golden Rule Experience! (Prospecting for Gold) When strong feelings arise, how can we be zhi hui (wise) with our responses?
- “We have another version of our story with more details about what motivated each character to make their individual decisions. As a class, we will read through this version as a script, focusing on what motivated each character.”
- STEP 1: Assign the following parts:
- Candy Maker
- Candy Maker’s Wife
- Emperor
- Queen Ant
- Centipede
- Narrator (reads the setting and notes in the parenthesis)
- STEP 2: Distribute the script to your students “The Generous Candymaker” Script.
- STEP 3: After reading, instruct characters that they will leave the room and be interviewed (as their character). Choose a student to interview each character.
- STEP 4: After characters leave the room, invite them in one by one and have the interviewer ask each character the following questions:
- Candy Maker: What would you have done if the emperor didn’t give you a reward? What are the things that worried you the most on your journey?
- Candy Maker’s Wife: What would you have done if the candy ran out before your husband returned? What would you have done if your husband hadn’t returned with a reward?
- Emperor: How did you feel about receiving the remedy from a peasant? What else would you be willing to give to get your health back?
- Queen Ant: Since you offered to help the Candy Maker, what if he asked you to do something very hard? What would you have done if the ants in your colony didn’t want to help?
- Centipede: How did you feel about the Candy Maker when you first met him? How do you feel about him now, after he saved your life?
- STEP 5: As a class, discuss the answer the following questions:
- How did reading the script and listening to the characters’ answers help us deepen our understanding?
- Why is gathering more information about others and why they do things helpful?
- STEP 6: Say, “It’s important to get as much information as possible before making a decision about someone’s actions. This will help us to empathize and respond in a more understanding way.”
- STEP 1: Assign the following parts:
- Write the Golden Rule Challenge on the whiteboard or print to post and display it somewhere visible in the classroom. Read the Golden Rule Challenge as a class, “As Golden Rule Warriors, we will try to understand the reasons behind other people’s actions.”
Golden Rule Challenge: As Golden Rule Warriors, we will try to understand the reasons behind other people’s actions.
Arts Experience #4
Dance
AZ PO Strands
5.DA.PR.4b, COM.N.1, 5.SL.1
Golden Rule Focus
Students will practice being aware of others around them and show respect for each others’ space.
Objectives
Dance Performing (5.DA.PR.4b) Dance to a variety of rhythmic patterns. Recognize and respond to tempo changes as they occur in dance and music. Perform movement sequences that show the ability to respond to changes in time.
Communities (COM.N.1) Recognize a few letters or characters and learned words and phrases.
Speaking/Listening (5.SL.1) Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners and in small and larger groups. Follow agreed‐upon rules for discussions.
Materials
AGREE Resources:
“We are All One World” Music Resources, Kung Fu & Tai Chi Video Resource, “wo men shi yi ge zheng ti” Audio Resource (on this page)
Cultural Focus
Foreign Language Audio Resource
Prospecting for Gold: How is trying to understand other people helping you live the Golden Rule?
Golden Rule Activity:
- “It’s time for a Golden Rule Experience! (Prospecting for Gold) How is trying to understand other people helping you live the Golden Rule?”
- “As we become Golden Rule Warriors, we have already learned two ways to be: “he ai” (kind) and “zhi hui” (wise). Another way is to live by this rule and version of the Golden Rule, ‘Never do to others that which would be hurtful to yourself.’”
Doing the Dance:
- “Today we will learn movements inspired by Kung Fu, a Chinese martial art. These movements require focus and practice to master. As we do the movements, be aware of each other and the space you have around you.”
- Teach the following poses by reading the following prompts:
- STEP 1: “Stand with your legs together, knees bent, arms to side with your elbows bent and your hands in fists.”
- STEP 2: “With your right in a fist, extend it forward, rotating your knuckles up and simultaneously stepping out to the side with the left leg. Say ‘Young’.”
- STEP 3: “Thrust your left arm across and in front of your body, twist at the wait, with your left palm open facing out. Keep your right hand at waist, bent elbow and hand in a fist. As you twist, step forward on your right leg into a lunge with your left leg straight and extended behind you. Say ‘Here’.”
- STEP 4: “Move your weight onto your right leg, bend your left knee and raise your foot as your arms move simultaneously, raising up above your head with your fingers close together. Say ‘Now’.”
- For an example of the movement to music watch the Kung Fu & Tai Chi Video Resource. It is important to practice the movement until students feel confident, transitioning quickly between each move.
- Once the steps are mastered, combine them with the movements learned in Arts Experience 2. You might need to receive these movements.
- “As we move remember that we are one, “wo men shi yi ge zheng ti”’ (Use “wo men shi yi ge zheng ti” Audio Resource on this page for pronunciation). Respecting those around us.
- Play the song “We are All One World” Music Resources and sequence the movements as follows: Tai Chi -> Kung Fu -> Tai Chi -> Kung Fu ->Tai Chi. Have them end in a bow, left hand in a fist, right hand covering it near their heart.
- “As we moved, we were all able to do fast motions without injuring each other.” Ask your students, “Why is it important to respect other people’s space in group settings (e.g., at home, in the classroom, in a friend group)?”
- Write the Golden Rule Challenge on the whiteboard or print to post and display it somewhere visible in the classroom. Read the Golden Rule Challenge as a class, “As Golden Rule Warriors, we will be aware of others around us and respect their space whether in a classroom, at home or in public.”
Golden Rule Challenge: As Golden Rule Warriors, we will be aware of others around us and respect their space whether in a classroom, at home or in public
Arts Experience #5
Visual Art
AZ PO Strands
5.VA.CN.11a, COM.N.1, 5.SL.1
Golden Rule Focus
Students will agree to promote Kindness, Empathy, Respect, and Civility.
Objectives
Visual Arts Connecting (5.VA.CN.11a) Develop skills in multiple art-making techniques and experiment with approaches (such as using elements and principles of modern art, applying artistic norms of diverse cultures, etc.) through practice.
Communities (COM.N.1) Recognize a few letters or characters and learned words and phrases.
Speaking/Listening (5.SL.1) Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners and in small and larger groups. Follow agreed‐upon rules for discussions.
Materials
AGREE Resources:
“Chinese Fan” Print Resource, “Mandarin Chinese Characters” Print Resource, “shàn liáng” Audio Resource (on this page), “tóng qíng” Audio Resource (on this page), “zūn zhòng” Audio Resource (on this page), “lǐ mào” Audio Resource (on this page)
Materials: colored paper, black markers, wooden dowels or popsicle sticks, glue
Cultural Focus
Foreign Language Audio Resources
Prospecting for Gold: How do you like others to treat your spaces (i.e., bedroom, desk)? How should we treat others’ spaces?
Golden Rule Activity:
- “It’s time for a Golden Rule Experience! (Prospecting for Gold) How do you like others to treat your spaces (i.e., bedroom, desk)? How should we treat others’ spaces?”
- “As Golden Rule Warriors, we have learned about living the Golden Rule. Today we will learn how to say and write four guiding words: Kindness, Empathy, Respect, and Civility in Mandarin Chinese. But before we do, let’s familiarize ourselves with these words and the Golden Rule Compass.”
- Invite several students to stand in the compass Golden Rule Compass & Puzzle and practice responding with each word in different situations.
- “These four words can guide us to make “golden” decisions in any situation.” Write the following words in English and Mandarin on the board and use the pronunciation resources on this page and have students practice saying them using pronunciation guides on this page. Kindness: “shàn liáng,” Empathy: “tóng qíng,” Respect: “zūn zhòng,” and Civility: “lǐ mào.”
Creating the Art:
- Follow these steps with your students to create Chinese fans:
- STEP 1: Pass out the “Mandarin Chinese Characters” Print Resource.
- STEP 2: Have students practice drawing the characters using the step-by-step guide.
- STEP 3: Pass out the “Chinese Fan” Print Resource. Instruct students to cut out the circle and trace it twice on two different pieces of paper.
- STEP 4: Have students write the characters (Kindness: “shàn liáng,” Empathy: “tóng qíng,” Respect: “zūn zhòng,” and Civility: “lǐ mào”) on one of the circles.
- STEP 5: On the other circle, instruct them to draw or illustrate what the Golden Rule means to them.
- STEP 6: They will now create a fan by placing a stick between the two circles and glue them together, art work facing out. Let dry before using as a fan.
- As a class, discuss why it is important to always strive to live the Golden Rule. Ask, “What changes can happen if we do?”
- Write the Golden Rule Challenge on the whiteboard or print to post and display it somewhere visible in the classroom. Read the Golden Rule Challenge as a class, “As a Golden Rule Warrior, I will treat others with kindness (shàn liáng), empathy (tóng qíng), respect (zūn zhòng), and civility (lǐ mào).”
Golden Rule Challenge: As a Golden Rule Warrior, I will treat others with kindness (shàn liáng), empathy (tóng qíng), respect (zūn zhòng), and civility (lǐ mào).
Bulletin Board Idea: Create a bulletin board with a solid red background, adding your students’ fans, pictures from the arts experiences and the four compass words (Kindness, Empathy, Respect, and Civility) written in Mandarin Chinese in each corner. Ask your students to share when they see other students acting as Golden Rule Warriors (e.g., showing kindness or teaching others about the Golden Rule). When this happens, identify the word associated with the students’ action, share this student’s actions with your class and write their name under that word on the bulletin board. This can be used to encourage positive behavior in your classroom.