ClassX Video Lessons Grade Grade 1 Patience, Perseverance, and Mindfulness | What’s a Duck to Do? | Circle Time with Khan Academy Kids
Welcome to Story Time! I’m Caroline from the Khan Academy Kids team, and today, I’m joined by my friend Sophie. We’re excited to have you with us. Although we can’t physically hold hands, let’s pretend we’re in a circle together. Imagine giving a high five or playing patty cake with us. It’s all about having fun and using our imagination!
Today, we’re diving into a delightful story called “What is Duck to Do?” It’s about our friend Duck and her adventurous day. Duck was in a cheerful mood as the sun shone brightly, and the water was warm. She was eager to enjoy her day. So, what’s a duck to do for fun? Naturally, she decided to go for a swim!
Duck splashed into the water, but soon found herself tangled in pond grass. Have you ever wondered how ducks swim? Their feet paddle quickly under the water, helping them glide smoothly. Unfortunately, Duck got a bit stuck and felt frustrated.
Next, Duck thought a quick flight around the pond might be better. She soared into the sky, but that didn’t go as planned either. Duck then considered a peaceful stroll, but a group of ants decided to join her, making it less relaxing.
Feeling stuck and a bit down, Duck noticed a toad hopping around and thought she might try that too. However, hopping wasn’t her forte. Then, she heard a bluebird singing and attempted to join in, but her singing wasn’t well-received.
Finally, Duck spotted a turtle basking in the sun. That looked like a great idea! She settled on a different log and tried to relax. And guess what? It worked! Duck felt happy and at ease, ready for a new adventure.
Let’s recap the story together. It started on a beautiful day with Duck feeling excited. However, things got tricky when she tried swimming and got tangled in pond reeds. She then attempted flying, but balloons got in her way. Walking wasn’t much better due to the ants.
In the end, it was the turtle’s relaxing sunbathing that inspired Duck to unwind and find happiness. Sometimes, taking a moment to relax is all we need to feel better.
Now, let’s do some activities! We can arrange pictures to show the sequence of events in the story. First, Duck swam and got caught in the grass. Then, she flew and encountered balloons, followed by the ants. Finally, she found peace with the turtle.
Which character helped Duck relax? It was the turtle! And the picture that shows Duck happy and relaxed is the one where she’s smiling without a care in the world.
One thing Duck did to relax was take deep breaths. Remember, we all have superpowers to help us feel calm. One of them is belly breathing. Let’s try it together: take a deep breath in, and slowly breathe out. Doesn’t that feel relaxing?
Thank you for joining us today. We hope you feel relaxed and ready for a wonderful day. Let’s wave goodbye to each other and our friends, both near and far. Until next time, from Caroline, Sophie, and the Khan Kids team, goodbye!
Duck’s Adventure Map: Create a simple map of Duck’s adventures using paper and crayons. Draw the pond, the sky, the path with ants, and the log where Duck relaxed. Encourage children to add their own creative elements, like other animals or plants. Ask them to retell the story using their map, explaining each part of Duck’s journey and what she learned from each experience.
Imagination Exercise: Ask the children to imagine they are different animals like Duck. What activities would they try if they were a bird, a fish, or a turtle? Encourage them to think about what might be fun or challenging for each animal. Have them draw a picture of themselves as their chosen animal and share their adventure story with the group.
Relaxation Station: Set up a “Relaxation Station” where children can practice belly breathing like Duck. Provide a soft mat or blanket, and play calming music. Guide them through a few deep breathing exercises, encouraging them to close their eyes and imagine a peaceful place. Afterward, ask them how they felt and if they have any other ideas for relaxing activities they can try at home.
