The Kissing Hand: A Lesson on Love and Starting School

English Language Arts Grades Pre-K 4:46 Video
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Lesson Description

A Pre-K lesson plan based on 'The Kissing Hand' focusing on emotions, friendship, and school readiness.

Video Resource

'The Kissing Hand' read by Barbara Bain

StorylineOnline

Duration: 4:46
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Separation anxiety
  • Love and reassurance
  • Friendship
  • Emotions

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify the main characters in the story.
  • Students will be able to describe Chester's feelings about starting school.
  • Students will be able to explain what the 'Kissing Hand' is and how it helps Chester.
  • Students will be able to express their own feelings about starting or attending school.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking the students if they have ever felt nervous or sad about leaving their parents/guardians. Discuss different emotions and coping strategies.
  • Video Viewing (10 mins)
    Play 'The Kissing Hand' video from StorylineOnline. Ensure students are actively listening.
  • Discussion (10 mins)
    Facilitate a discussion about the story using the discussion questions below.
  • Activity: Kissing Hand Creation (15 mins)
    Have students trace their hand on a piece of paper. Then, they can decorate it with markers, crayons, or paint. They can draw a heart in the middle of the palm to represent the kiss.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the story and the 'Kissing Hand' concept. Encourage students to use their own 'Kissing Hand' when they feel sad or nervous.

Interactive Exercises

  • Role-Playing
    Have students act out the scene where Mrs. Raccoon gives Chester the 'Kissing Hand'. One student can be Chester, and another can be Mrs. Raccoon.
  • Show and Tell
    Students share their "Kissing Hand" craft and explain to the class how it makes them feel.

Discussion Questions

  • How did Chester feel about going to school?
  • What did Mrs. Raccoon do to help Chester feel better?
  • What is the 'Kissing Hand'?
  • How do you feel about going to school?
  • What makes you feel happy or safe when you miss your parents?

Skills Developed

  • Active listening
  • Emotional expression
  • Story comprehension
  • Fine motor skills
  • Social skills

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Who did not want to go to school?

Correct Answer: Chester Raccoon

Question 2:

What did Mrs. Raccoon give Chester?

Correct Answer: The Kissing Hand

Question 3:

Where did Mrs. Raccoon kiss Chester?

Correct Answer: On his hand

Question 4:

What is in the middle of the Kissing Hand activity?

Correct Answer: A heart

Question 5:

Which of these is an emotion?

Correct Answer: Happy

Question 6:

What did Chester give Mrs. Raccoon at the end?

Correct Answer: A Kissing Hand

Question 7:

What animal is Chester?

Correct Answer: A raccoon

Question 8:

When does Chester get the Kissing Hand?

Correct Answer: Before school

Question 9:

What color is Chester's mask?

Correct Answer: Black

Question 10:

Who wrote the book 'The Kissing Hand'?

Correct Answer: Audrey Penn

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

Chester Raccoon did not want to go to ___________.

Correct Answer: school

Question 2:

Mrs. Raccoon gave Chester a ____________ ____________.

Correct Answer: Kissing Hand

Question 3:

The Kissing Hand makes Chester feel ____________.

Correct Answer: loved

Question 4:

Chester felt ____________ about starting school.

Correct Answer: nervous

Question 5:

Chester is a ____________.

Correct Answer: raccoon

Question 6:

Mrs. Raccoon kissed Chester on his _________.

Correct Answer: hand

Question 7:

Chester wanted to stay _________ with his mom.

Correct Answer: home

Question 8:

The story is read by ___________ ___________.

Correct Answer: Barbara Bain

Question 9:

Chester likes to _________ with his toys.

Correct Answer: play

Question 10:

Chester loves you. _________ loves you.

Correct Answer: Chester

Educational Standards

PK.1.L.1:Students will actively listen using agreed-upon rules with prompting. PK.3.R.2:Students will answer basic questions (e.g., who, what, where, and when) about texts, photographs, or illustrations during shared reading or other text experiences with prompting. PK.2.R:Students will begin to retell or reenact major events or details from a read-aloud. PK.1.S.2:Students will engage in collaborative discussions about various topics and texts, including their own writing, with peers and adults in small and large groups with prompting. PK.2.W:Students will begin to express themselves through drawing and emergent writing.

Teaching Materials

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