Otis and the Scarecrow

Name: Otis and the Scarecrow
Author: Loren Long

A story that explores compassion and opens a conversation with your child.

★★★★★ Loved by families

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♥ This book teaches: Compassion. seeing past difference to offer kindness.

Before, During & After Reading

Guiding Questions for Parents.

Definition: The ability to feel what others are feeling and the action of trying to help them with their troubles. In short: Feel what others feel.

Summary: A farmer is very happy with his new scarecrow because it’s doing a great job of frightening crows. The farm animals try to befriend the scarecrow, but they give up because it seems like he’s not interested. Autumn arrives and Otis the tractor initiates games with the animals. The scarecrow is still silent and uninvolved. Things change when Otis approaches the scarecrow during a rainstorm. He sits beside him because he doesn’t want the scarecrow to be alone. The farm animals follow Otis and they all gather around the scarecrow in friendship. Even though the scarecrow still doesn’t utter a sound, at least he is surrounded by friends who show they care. Lesson Objectives:

Students gain understanding about how to show empathy even when a person who needs friends doesn’t act friendly.

Guiding Questions:

What’s the job of a scarecrow? Have you ever seen one? What are they made of?
Were the animals and Otis friendly to the scarecrow even though he wasn’t friendly to them?
Why did Otis feel like he wanted to go sit by the scarecrow during the rainstorm?
What did the animals do after Otis went to sit by the scarecrow?
Do you think the scarecrow felt even a little bit better when everyone sat with him? Why might he feel better?
If you see someone sitting alone, do you feel like you want to go sit with them so they’re not alone anymore? Why or why not?
If you’re by yourself and feeling lonely, would you want someone to come sit with you? Why or why not?
The farm animals liked to play games. Do you have a favorite game you like to play with friends? What is it and how do you play it?
Would you like to have Otis the tractor for a friend? What do you like about him?
A person who cares about others and wants to help them has something called “empathy.” Do you have empathy toward others? Is there anyone that you especially care about? Who is it and how do you want to help them?

🌿 Virtue Connection: Compassion means feeling what another feels and choosing to act.

About the Story.

This guide is part of the Values & Virtues library, a free collection of 400+ book guides and activities organized around 12 core virtues for children from pre-K to 6th grade. Each guide includes Guiding Questions designed to open a real conversation with your child in 10 minutes or less.

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Compassion · Family Discussion Guide

Otis and the Scarecrow

by Loren Long

Guiding Questions

Students gain understanding about how to show empathy even when a person who needs friends doesn’t act friendly.

Guiding Questions:

What’s the job of a scarecrow? Have you ever seen one? What are they made of?
Were the animals and Otis friendly to the scarecrow even though he wasn’t friendly to them?
Why did Otis feel like he wanted to go sit by the scarecrow during the rainstorm?
What did the animals do after Otis went to sit by the scarecrow?
Do you think the scarecrow felt even a little bit better when everyone sat with him? Why might he feel better?
If you see someone sitting alone, do you feel like you want to go sit with them so they’re not alone anymore? Why or why not?
If you’re by yourself and feeling lonely, would you want someone to come sit with you? Why or why not?
The farm animals liked to play games. Do you have a favorite game you like to play with friends? What is it and how do you play it?
Would you like to have Otis the tractor for a friend? What do you like about him?
A person who cares about others and wants to help them has something called “empathy.” Do you have empathy toward others? Is there anyone that you especially care about? Who is it and how do you want to help them?

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Otis and the Scarecrow

Guiding Questions for Parents.

About the Story.

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Guiding Questions