The Happy Prince

Retold by: Elissa Grodin

Illustrator: Laura Stutzman

Guide written by Michael Shoulders

Portions may be reproduced for use in the classroom

with this express written consent of Sleeping Bear Press

Published by
Sleeping Bear Press
310 N. Main St., Suite 300
Chelsea, MI 48118
800-487-2323
[Link]
The Happy Prince by Elissa Grodin
“This statue is known as The Happy Prince, for during his lifetime the prince was
the finest of men.”

Prereading Activities:

a. Create a concept map with the students for the idea of

kindness.

When are
people kind?
How are
people kind?

Kindness

Name some kind

people.
b. Introduce vocabulary:

Pedestal, Annoyed, Mesmerized, Pry, Leaden

After a discussion of each word, divide students into groups

of three or four and have them complete a vocabulary
activity sheet for one of the words, sharing when complete.

Describe in your own words the Draw a picture to illustrate the word’s
meaning of the word. meaning.

Write a synonym or antonym for the Use the word in a complete sentence.
word.
During Reading Activity:

Utilize a “Think, Pair, Share” strategy as the readers come

to each of the following sentences. Decide what the bolded
word means by focusing on the context of the word in the
passage. Have students write a one-word synonym
describing the meaning of the word and share with a
partner. Then have partners share with the class and come
to consensus on the definition.
1. He flew for many hours, and decided to stop overnight in the Great

City to rest. Swallow circled high about the dreary-looking city,

keeping an eye out for a suitable place to roost for the night.

2. The swallow plucked the ruby from the center of the Prince’s crown.

He flew across the city over rooftops and along narrow streets. He

found the shabby gray house and flew in through the kitchen window.

He placed the jewel on the wooden table.

3. But the Prince looked rather pitiful with a big hole in his crown where

the ruby used to be, and the bird felt bad for him.

4. I am covered in gold. Peel it off leaf by leaf and distribute it among

the bridge people. With it, they will be able to buy food for the winter.

5. But the good deeds of the little swallow and the Happy Prince had not

gone unnoticed. The bird and the broken lead heart were tenderly

lifted out of the junk pile, and given a place of honor.

After reading activities:

a. After discussion of the story, students will think about the

Happy Prince’s point of view and choose one thing that is
important to their lives, writing about its importance, why
they might give it away, and how that action would make
them feel.
b. Students should refocus on the “bridge people.” After
examining the illustration, small groups of students will
create a tableau that shows the bridge people before receiving
the gold leaf and several days after the gifts from the Happy
Prince.
c. Complete “Cause and Effect” chart (included) with concepts
from the book.
d. Read other books about the plight of the homeless:
December by Eve Bunting
Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting
A Shelter in Our Car by Monica Gunning
We Are All in the Dumps with Jack and Guy: Two
Nursery Rhymes with Pictures by Maurice Sendak
Someplace to Go by Maria Testa
“The Happy Prince” – Cause and Effect
One action (cause) can make something else happen (effect).

Fill in the missing sections of this table.

Cause Effect
Bob studied five days in a row. He made an A on his math test.
Flying back to join the rest of
his flock, a tired Swallow
needed a roost for the night.
The statue of the Happy Prince’s
eyes filled with tears.
The woman in the little gray
house was overcome with joy,
kissed her children, and hugged
them close to her.
The Swallow peeled gold leaf
from the covering of the Happy
Prince, clutched it in his beak
and released the gold leaves one
by one, over the bridge people.
The Happy Prince told Swallow
of a school with no money for
books, colored paper, crayons,
and pencils.
A sudden cracking noise, loud
enough to wake the squirrels
sleeping nearby was the sound
of the Prince’s leaden heart
breaking into pieces.
The good deeds of the little
Swallow and the Happy Prince
did not go unnoticed.
Character Journal
(Writing)
“No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.” Aesop

Establishing Background:
Tell students Benjamin Franklin believed being morally good
should be a lifelong endeavor. He listed 13 virtues he wanted to
improve and worked every week to develop one trait.

List Franklin’s traits on the board and say, The traits he wanted to
improve were: Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality,
Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Tranquility, Cleanliness,
Chastity, and Humility.

Discuss each trait and tell students Kindness fits under the
“Justice” virtue.

Tell students, After 13 weeks Franklin repeated his list. He

recorded his successes and failures in a journal. When Franklin
was 78 he said this process made him a happier person.

Activity:
Have students create a “Character Journal.” In it, have them list
one trait to improve upon and, for one week, ask them to discover
ways to demonstrate that trait in their life. Have students record
something they did each day to demonstrate that trait.

Journal questions to consider:

• Was it difficult to find ways to incorporate the trait into your
day? Explain.
• How did working on this trait make you feel?
• How did others react to your efforts?
• Did you see others demonstrating the same characteristic?
I Care Box
(Social Studies)
"Men are only great as they are kind." Elbert Hubbard

Establishing Background:
Discuss with students why homeless shelters exist and brainstorm
reasons people need them. Shared ideas may include:
-Natural disasters
-Domestic violence
-Parent’s loss of job

Discuss that sometimes family members suddenly flee domestic

violence and have little or no time to pack basic needs.

Tell students, Although he didn’t know their names, the Happy

Prince cared about those around him, especially the less fortunate.

Activity:
Have students create a list of items they would need and want if
they had to live in a temporary shelter. Suggested items might
include: books, pencils & paper, cookies, playing cards, toothbrush
& toothpaste, and chewing gum.

Tell students, “We will create an “I Care Box” filled with items
from our list.

Have students decorate a shoebox with paper, ribbons, bows, and

pictures and fill it with their items.

Since the locations of domestic shelters are kept secret, invite the
director of your local United Way Agency to speak to your class.
Present him/her with the students’ “I Care Boxes” to deliver to the
shelter.
Thank You Card
(Art)
Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out.
Frank A. Clark

Background:
Discuss the word anonymous.

Activity:
Tell students, Those who benefited from the Happy Prince’s
generosity didn’t know who helped them. I want you to think of
somebody who recently brightened your day. It might be a
librarian, clergy, teacher, or neighbor. We will create an
anonymous thank you card to let somebody know their efforts were
appreciated.

Have students create a thank you card including a statement as to

what the recipient did to brighten somebody’s day. Suggest
students sign the card “A Grateful Person” and leave the card
where the recipient will find it.
Care Song
(Music)

“One must care about a world one will never see.” Bertrand Russell

Sing to the tune “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

Chorus: Wearing smiles isn’t hard.

There are many ways It shows, “You’re a friend of mine”:
To show that I care. It’s a frown, turned upside down;
Take my turn, show concern, Wear it all the time.
Smile and always share.

Chorus:
Taking turns isn’t hard. There are many ways
It shows I’m polite and nice: To show that I care.
I cheer for others until my turn. Take my turn, show concern,
It’s good and sound advice. Smile and always share.

Sharing isn’t hard.

Chorus: It shows I want to play:
There are many ways “Some for me and some for you”
To show that I care. Always makes a kinder day.
Take my turn, show concern,
Smile and always share.

Chorus:
Showing concern isn’t hard. There are many ways
‘Cuz I’m nice as can be: To show that I care.
Say, “I’m sorry” if someone’s hurt. Take my turn, show concern,
They’ll find a friend in me! Smile and always share.

Chorus:
There are many ways
To show that I care.
Take my turn, show concern,
Smile and always share.
Strive for Five
(Social Studies)

“A kind word is like a spring day.” Russian proverb

Setting Background:
Tell students, Using kind phrases like, “May I please…” “Thank
you very much,” and “You’re welcome” are win-win situations.
The person hearing the words wins because they feel appreciated.
The giver wins because they feel good inside.

Activity:
Have students brainstorm a list of 7-10 kind phrases. Record their
responses on the board. Ask students to select five phrases and
record them on the chart below. Ask students to strive to use all
five phrases every day for five days and record their successes.

Phrases M T W T F
May I please
Acrostic
(Writing)
"You must be fit to give before you can be fit to receive.” James Stephens

Setting Background:
Write this poem on the board or overhead:

Kindness toward others

Is
Never
Difficult to Do!
Nice words spoken
Every day helps create
Successful
Students ! !

Tell students: An Acrostic is text written where initial letters from

each line spell a word. The word kindness was used to create the
acrostic poem on the board.

Remind students that kindness may mean:

- treating others how you want to be treated
- doing something nice for somebody
- helping someone in trouble
- not being mean

Activity:
Ask students to write an acrostic poem about helping others using
the letters of their name.
Helping Hands
“The Golden Rule Tree”
(Bulletin Board)

“I expect to pass through the world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any
kindness I can show to any creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it, for I shall
not pass this way again.” Stephen Grellet

Setting Background:
Tell students, “The Golden Rule” is do unto others as you would
have them do unto you. Say, Many people believe in ‘ random acts
of kindness,’ or helping people when they least expect it. The
Happy Prince didn’t wait to be asked to help those in need. He saw
opportunities and took the initiative to help.

Create a “Helping Hands” bulletin board for the classroom

featuring a tree trunk, green ground, and swallow flying in the sky.
Each time a student helps somebody without being asked, have
them trace their hand on gold (yellow) construction paper. Cut out
the hand and write their name and what they did on the palm.
Staple the hand on the bulletin board to create the leaves of a
“Golden Rule Tree.”
Kindness Charades
(Social Studies)

Directions: Each of the following phrases reflects how somebody

can show they care about others by doing something for them.
Write four additional actions on the blank strips. Cut out the
actions, fold, and put into a hat. Have students randomly draw an
action and pantomime the actions to see if classmates can guess
what they are doing.

Mow the lawn

Bring groceries in from the car

Help cook dinner

Pick up books somebody dropped in the hallway

Write a letter for somebody too young to write

Wash the blackboard

Pick up trash alongside the road

Bake a cake
Kindness Chain
(Social Studies)
Make a kindness chain. Every day for a week, students and
teachers can write on paper chains things they do to show kindness
toward others. Link your chain with another class’s chain.

To begin the kindness chain, work with a teacher of a younger

class. Have students tutor younger students in math, read a book to
them, or take dictation for a story.

Their first chain may read, “I helped somebody learn to ______.”

1 2
Kind People Crossword
Use the Internet to research

these "Kind People."

3 4

Across:
1. She founded the Missionaries of
6 7 8
Charity which helped thousands of
impoverished people in
India.
9
5. Although born into slavery in

Maryland, she played an active role

in freeing others through the

Underground
Railroad.

9. U. S. Civil Rights leader who promoted change

through nonviolent means.

10
10. Hollywood actor

who created a line of food with 100% of

his profits going to charity.

Down:
2. This washer woman who gave her life's savings of $150,000 to the
University

of Southern Mississippi for scholarships to needy students.

3. He founded the International Committee of the Red Cross.

4. He won the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize and works to build houses for the less fortunate.

6. She helped facilitate the establishment of the Special Olympics in 1968.

7. She helped hide Anne Frank from the Nazis from July 1942 until August 4,
1944.
8. An award-winning math teacher who tutored underprivileged students and was featured

in the movie "Stand and Deliver."

The Happy Prince Word Search

J X V Z I T L X O I F K V S C R Z Y E W Y S
M Y A H D Y D M V G L L X U H M N H E B P W
Y U N N K V O P B L B A B I A I U N D R Q I
V D R F S Y E C C V N E Y H R T D H L W M M
C H A R L I E B U C K E T P L Y H T E B Z M
V T O G K J W W I S Q I V M O N V V H H M Y
X E H X G C M H H N I A W U T I F K M X I R
D W Z E T D E F S N Q I A R T T E T O Y E Q
O I N A G K D B A Z Z Z B E E C P A L C P B
R T Q D O O H N I B O R M C N F V P L A U R
O T T L M B O U D J A M I I C A E Q H K K Y
O J N E X F E D X G Q I R L F B Q N D Z C S
D M F O P E H D W S Z P J A S N D H A P H S
D G N V R P O X N I Y Y P T N S S U O T G O
N N Q T W J E O Q P T J P N U B I K P D X L
O N E H M P W G P Q G C F U A C A U B R J V
W H Y V I W Q A K M Y O H A X U D X H N D M
T H R A H R H O R T O N E T E Z Y Z J F J V
U E V I S E I W N F D O F A B B Q T M A H I
K P T Z H H K Z N M M K Q E F B R D W X A U
E E F T P A A J F W S Z H R C S B D P H P I
Y P R A A E R X B L H K A G K C E I W M S T

Find these “kind” book characters’ names in the puzzle!!!

CHARLOTTE (Charlotte’s Web) TINY TIM (A Christmas Carol)

HORTON (Horton Hatches an Egg) GEPPETTO (Pinocchio)
CHARLIE BUCKET (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) SWIMMY (Swimmy)
GREAT AUNT ALICE RUMPHIUS (Miss Rumphius) WENDY (Peter Pan)
THE GOOD WITCH (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz) BETH (Little Women)
THE HAPPY PRINCE (The Happy Prince) SNOW WHITE (Snow White)
ROBIN HOOD (Tales of Robin Hood) THE TREE (The Giving Tree)
NYASHA (Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale)
Niceness in the News
(Current Events)
Setting Background:
Tell students, Every day people perform acts of kindness toward
others. Sometimes it seems a world away - but other times it
happens in our own neighborhood.

Activity:
Bring in copies of current newspapers and have students conduct a
newspaper kindness scavenger hunt. Have students search through
the newspaper for articles featuring acts of kindness. Students can
summarize the stories for the rest of the class.

Explain a “dateline” for newspapers (the date and place of the

story). Provide a local map, United States map, and world map and
plot the dateline (location) for each act of kindness found.
Plant a Tree
(Science)
Have the class plant a small tree at the beginning of the school year. Discuss
how this simple act helps:
-People
-Animals
-The environment
-Oxygen content in the air
-Create products we use each day (including food such as fruits and nuts)

Visit the tree during the seasons to record changes. How many animals can
be found on or near the tree?

Community Helpers
(Social Studies)

Set up a “Community Appreciation Day” for your classroom. Invite

community helpers such as firefighters, nurses, crossing guards, bus drivers,
police officers, etc. to come to the class to discuss how their jobs help the
community. Present each person with an appreciation certificate to show the
students’ appreciation.
Teddy Bear Drive
(Social Studies)

Many local agencies use teddy bears to soften a crisis involving children and
the elderly. A police officer may give a teddy bear to a child involved in a
traffic accident. The Red Cross may give teddy bears to needy children.
Even the elderly living in nursing homes appreciate a cuddly teddy bear!

Read The Legend of the Teddy Bear by Frank Murphy (Sleeping Bear Press).
Ask students to help collect teddy bears and invite local agencies to the
classroom to accept the class’s donation.
Kind People Crossword
Across: Down:
1. Mother Teresa 2. Oseola McCarty
5. Harriet Tubman 3. Henry Dunant
9. Martin Luther King 4. Jimmy Carter
10 Paul Newman 6. Eunice Kennedy
7. Miep Gies
8. Jaime Escalante

The Happy Prince Word Search

- - - - - - - - - - - - - S C - - - - W - S
- - - - - - - - - - - - - U H M - - E - - W
- - - - - - - - - - - - - I A I - N - - - I
- - - - - - - - - - - - - H R T D - - - - M
C H A R L I E B U C K E T P L Y H T E B - M
- T - - - - - - - - - - - M O N - - - - - Y
- - H - - - - - - - - - - U T I - - - - - -
- - - E - - - - - - - - - R T T E - - - - -
O - - - G - - - - - - - - E E C - - - - - -
- T - D O O H N I B O R - C N - - - - - - -
- - T - - - O - - - - - - I - - - - - - - -
- - - E - - E D - - - - R L - - - - - - - -
- - - - P E - - W S - P - A - - - - - - - -
- - - - R P - - N I Y - - T - - - - - - - -
- - - T - - E O - P T - - N - - - - - - - -
- N E - - - W G P - - C - U - - - - - - - -
- H Y - - W - A - - - - H A - - - - - - - -
T - - A H - H O R T O N - T - - - - - - - -
- - - I S E - - - - - - - A - - - - - - - -
- - T - H H - - - - - - - E - - - - - - - -
- E - T - - A - - - - - - R - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - G - - - - - - - -