A Mother's Day Surprise

By Lois Lewis

Grade Level: 3-6

Story Preview: A family gives a much-deserved Mother's Day present!

Roles: Narrators 1-2, Jay Thomas, Nadia Thomas, Mr. Thomas, Mrs. Thomas, Earrings, Perfume Bottle, Scarf, Potted Plant, Card, Soft Drink Cup

Setting: Mother's Day this year, at a mall and at home

Theme: Mother's Day

Additional Resources

How did Mother's Day get started? Read two short versions of the history of this special day:

* Origins of Mother's Day Evoke its True Meaning from the National Women's History Project

* About Mother's Day from Kids Domain

Mother's Day Around the World gives a brief description of where and when Mother's Day is observed in various countries.

Vocabulary:

appreciate: to express thanks for something
expensive: costly
fragrance: smell or scent
gorgeous: beautiful, striking
memorable: remarkable, unforgettable
merchandise: items that people buy and sell in stores
interior: inside
purchase: buy
relaxation: time out to rest
siblings: brothers and sisters
ye: early English form for the word "you"

Props: (Optional) pair of earrings, perfume bottle or perfume set, flowering plant, greeting card, plastic drink cup, red ribbon, sheet of paper (any kind), food tray

Follow-Up Questions:

Why did Jay and Nadia go to the mall?
How much time did they have to shop?
What kind of job do you think Mrs. Thomas has? Why? Give two possibilities and explain your answers.
What was unusual about Jay and Nadia's experience at the mall?
Why didn't they buy a gift for their mom?
What did the Thomas family give Mrs. Thomas? Describe two things they did for her on Mother's Day.
How did Mrs. Thomas react to her gift?

Follow-Up Activities:
Ask students if they have any special Mother's Day plans for their mother, grandmother, or another woman who's like a mother to them. Have each student write a paragraph describing a memorable gift they've given someone for Mother's Day. Or, arrange students into small groups and ask each group to list two or three little things they can do for their mothers or female guardians each day. Then have groups use their lists to create posters with the theme "Make Every Day Mother's Day."

Additional Notes:
Education World's Holiday Center provides a Mother's Day page filled with links to activities, lessons and numerous other resources.

Click here for a printable script.

05/12/2006