Build a classroom community in which every child’s name is learned, pronounced and respected with this interactive kindergarten read-aloud lesson pack for Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes.
This thoughtful lesson helps children explore how words and actions affect someone’s feelings. Instead of simply identifying kind and unkind behaviour, children consider the impact of a message, practise repairing hurt and learn respectful ways to respond when a name is new or unfamiliar.
During the interactive read-aloud, children notice changes in the character’s feelings, identify what may have caused each change and suggest what a supportive classmate could say or do.
After reading, partners use the Names Matter Mat and photographic discussion cards to move through three child-friendly questions:
• What was said or done?
• How might someone feel?
• What could we say instead?
The student activity invites each child to share their preferred name, show how it is pronounced, create their name and celebrate something that makes them feel proud or special. Children may draw, write, trace, stamp, build, dictate or share through conversation.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
• Interactive teacher lesson plan
• Learning goal and success criteria
• Before-, during- and after-reading prompts
• Names Matter discussion mat
• Six visual feeling choices
• Four respectful-response sentence supports
• Eight photographic discussion cards
• My Name Belongs to Me student activity
• Assessment look-fors
• Differentiation suggestions
• Suggested next steps
• Ontario Kindergarten 2026 connections
• U.S. Common Core Kindergarten connections
SKILLS SUPPORTED
• Name identity and classroom belonging
• Recognizing and describing feelings
• Understanding how words affect others
• Respectful curiosity
• Repairing hurt after a mistake
• Listening to and using preferred names
• Oral communication
• Perspective-taking
• Drawing, dictating and beginning writing
This resource works well for whole-group learning, small-group discussion, classroom-community lessons or follow-up Independent Activities.
The lesson is intentionally inclusive. Children are never required to explain the origin of their name or share a personal experience. They may participate through speaking, pointing, role-play, visuals or AAC.
Please note: The picture book is not included and must be obtained separately. This is an independently created educational resource and is not affiliated with the author or publisher.
