Our Table

Name: Our Table
Author: Peter Reynolds

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

★★★★★ Loved by families

Read the Guiding Questions Find this book →

♥ This book teaches: Gratitude. noticing and appreciating what is already good.

Before, During & After Reading

Guiding Questions for Parents.

Definition: Someone who is grateful is thankful for people, nature, and things. Stewardship means taking good care of what we’ve been given. In short: Thankful for every blessing, big or small. Summary: The table is a traditional place where families enjoy time together. Violet appreciates family time around the table but gradually something happens to disrupt these pleasant experiences. Her parents and brother don’t gather at the table anymore and she is lonely. Eventually, the big table magically shrinks and vanishes! Violet concocts a plan to bring the table back, and by the end of the book, the family is together again, sharing stories and making memories. Lesson Objectives:

Students gain a sense of appreciation for family time around the table and other activities at home. They are encouraged to think of ways they can contribute to making special memories with their families.

Guiding Questions:

What are some of Violet’s fond memories about the family table?
Why did Violet’s family stop eating together at the table?
How did Violet feel about the changes in her family’s behavior?
Something happened to the table. What was it and why do you think that happened?
Share about Violet’s plan to bring her family together. What did each family member do to help?
Why do you think Violet’s plan worked to bring her family together again?
Name some things you like to do together with your family.
If you were all grown up and you had your own family, what are some of the things you’d like to do together?
What is the happiest memory you have of spending time with your family? Think about a favorite activity, a special occasion, a vacation, playing a game, eating together, a funny experience?
Can you plan a family activity and get everyone to be a part of it? Do it!

🌿 Virtue Connection: Gratitude means noticing and appreciating what is already good.

Activities for This Story.

Activity: Gratitude, Levels 1,2

Resource: Our Table: Kids Books Read Aloud

Activity: Students brainstorm and plan an activity they can do with their family at home. They write it down, take it home, and make it happen. Parents are asked to support their child in the activity, invite other family members to participate, and write a note about it that their child can share with the class.

Materials: the video; a letter for parents asking them to support their child in the activity; materials the child can use to present the activity to their family Note to teachers: Try to provide the students with materials they could borrow if needed. For example, the child may want to introduce a game or do a puzzle for a family activity and they may need to borrow one from the classroom.

Directions: Show the video. Explain: “The girl in the story was able to get her family working on a project together and it was a lot of fun. You will plan an activity that you can do with your family at home. I will send a note to your parents and ask them to join you in the activity. To get you started on a plan, we will brainstorm in class and you can choose one of our ideas or make one up. You will explain your activity to your family and do it sometime within the next week. Your parents will write a note after the activity which you will bring to school and show me. I think you’ll have a lot of fun doing this, and I look forward to some great ideas about what you can do with your family!” Start brainstorming with the class (keep it simple) and help each student to write down a few words about what they decided to do. They will take that home along with your letter that explains your expectations (your hope that the family will support the student in carrying out the plan).

Wrap it up: Explain: “I look forward to hearing about how your family enjoyed the activity! Have fun with this assignment and tell us all about it when you’re done!”

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.

Read-aloud video · Best with headphones

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Guiding Questions

Students gain a sense of appreciation for family time around the table and other activities at home. They are encouraged to think of ways they can contribute to making special memories with their families.

Guiding Questions:

What are some of Violet’s fond memories about the family table?
Why did Violet’s family stop eating together at the table?
How did Violet feel about the changes in her family’s behavior?
Something happened to the table. What was it and why do you think that happened?
Share about Violet’s plan to bring her family together. What did each family member do to help?
Why do you think Violet’s plan worked to bring her family together again?
Name some things you like to do together with your family.
If you were all grown up and you had your own family, what are some of the things you’d like to do together?
What is the happiest memory you have of spending time with your family? Think about a favorite activity, a special occasion, a vacation, playing a game, eating together, a funny experience?
Can you plan a family activity and get everyone to be a part of it? Do it!

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Our Table

Guiding Questions for Parents.

Activities for This Story.

About the Story.

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Our Table

Guiding Questions