Caregivers Guide - Episode Descriptions

#138 You Have to Learn the Trade

As Wimzie plays with her new favorite toy, a hand puppet called Mr. George, Horace and Loulou are trading personal things. Jonas comes in wearing a new vest that Wimzie would love to have. Wimzie suggests a trade but Jonas will agree to give his vest only in return for Mr. George. Later, Graziella returns from work with a "pilot of the year" plaque and a model of her jet plane. She gives the plane to Wimzie as a present. When Jonas offers to trade his vest for the plane, Wimzie agrees. Later, Wimzie learns that the plane was a special "Mom to daughter" gift she shouldn't have traded. Wimzie tries to trade the vest back, but Jonas refuses. Ultimately, Wimzie chooses not to hurt her mom's feelings and decides to trade Mr. George to get the plane back. Graziella is so touched by Wimzie's gesture that she finds a way to comfort her: she gives the plane back to Jonas and gets Mr. George back for Wimzie.

Theme: Meaning and Value

Children will learn that it is good for friends to help each other.
Children will realize that hitting is a counterproductive way to get people to do what you want.
Children will learn that if a situation between others seems out of control, it is appropriate to seek help from an adult.
Children will learn that when they are unable to succeed, they can keep trying, choose another approach, or seek help from an adult.

Vocabulary:

plaque
persuade

Suggested Activities:

Before you view: Today, Wimzie goes to a lot of trouble to find something that Jonas will want to trade for. Watch and see what is.

While you view: See suggestions in "How to use this guide".

After you view: Go back to your pre-viewing activity and have the children respond to the question. (Answer: A hockey stick.) Talk about what you've seen and take some time to discuss it.

Extended Learning Activities

Option 1: What Happened? (Verbal Activity)
Materials required: None

After watching the episode "You Have To Learn The Trade" tell the children to pretend one at a time that they were the only ones who watched the show today, and that all of their friends want to hear what happened. Call on volunteers to retell the show. Use the structure below to help guide the children through their version of the story.

Who is the story about today?
What happens first?
Then what happens?
What is the problem?
How do the characters try to solve it?
How is the problem finally solved? After the children finish their version of the story, see if they can tell you what the characters learned from today's show.

Option 2: Make Your Own Thank You Card (Craft Activity)
Materials required: A sheet of construction paper folded in half, crayons or magic markers

Even very young children can be introduced to the idea of sending a thank you note. This activity is designed to give them practice with the idea. Tell the children, pretend you received a musical camera like Wimzie did. You should write a thank you note to the person who gave it to you. The children can draw a picture or make a design on the outside of the paper. Open it up and help them write the word "thank you" or some simple sentence on the inside of the card.

Theme Related Books:

Jamaica's Find, Juanita Havill, Houghton Mifflin, 1986.
Communication, Aliki, Greenwillow, 1993.
The Hating Book, Charlotte Zolotow, Harper Collins, 1969 .

Notes

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