The First 7 Meetings

The 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals Journey gives girls an opportunity to learn about the importance or caring for animals and themselves.

What You Need:

5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals Girl Book: Each girl needs her own girl book. There are pieces of this that you’ll use with the girls, and other portions may be read by the girls at home.

5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals Adult Guide: Use this to guide girls through the Journey

“Getting into Girl Scouts: 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals: Use this with your Adult Guide

“Getting into Girl Scouts” provides ideas for the first 5 meetings that include activities related to the Journey, supply lists and opening/closing activities; ideas for field trips and sample emails to send your Girl Scout families. “Getting into Girl Scouts” helps you structure time with the girls, planning tips, a checklist for each session, and provides helpful hints along the way.

Getting Started: Review your adult guide to the Journey and the girl book to see how things are laid out and what activities make sense for you. Do the same with “Getting into Girl Scouts” to see how they match up and help you plan. Of course, you don’t have to follow the guide or booklet word for word—once you get a topic started, listen for where girls want to take it! Use the supply list to prepare for your meeting. Then send an email to the families afterwards to tell them what the girls learned and upcoming events. Consider planning a field trip or two that relate to the Journey. There are a few ideas on the first page of the Journey outline.

Information on Journey awards: There is the opportunity to earn three leadership awards in each Daisy Journey. Only the first one is included in this 5 week guide.

The first award is the Birdbath Award. Girls understand that they can care for themselves and animals. To earn, girls name one way they can care for animals and one way they can care for themselves.

The Red Robin Award is the second award. Girls use their new knowledge and creativity to teach others how to care for animals. To earn, they choose animal care tips to share with others and then tell this “story of animal care” in a creative way.

The final award is the Tula Award. Girls show they have gained courage and confidence in teaching others about animal care. To earn, they share with one another the good feelings they experienced as they taught others in their community about animal care.

Next Steps:

1. Once you have completed “Getting into Girl Scouts”, consider completing the Journey and the final two awards.

2. Use the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting to complete the Daisy petals. Check out Getting into Girl Scouts: Daisy Petals for your next 3 meetings.

Objective: Introduce girls to Girl Scouting by teaching them the Girl Scout Promise and Girl Scout traditions. Outcome: Girls feel connected to their community and develop healthy relationships.

Supplies: Trefoil Sheet – one per girl Yarn Crayons/Markers Ball of String Scissors Hole Punch Activities: 1. Welcome/Make Name Tags (10 minutes)

Use a trefoil with the Promise on the back and make a name tag for each girl. She could put her name on the front and something she likes to do.

Supplies needed o Trefoil for each girl o Yarn o Crayons/markers o Scissors o Hole Punch

2. Girl Scouts is …. (5-10 minutes)

Ask the girls what they think Girl Scouts is. o Girl Scouts is an organization for girls like you all over the world. We will be

going on a Journey and earning badges. We explore nature, science, financial literacy and more. We will be learning leadership and taking action to make a difference in our community.

What do they want to do as a Girl Scout?

3. Go over any rules/expectations and the Girl Scout quiet sign. (5-10 minutes) Consider having girls help brainstorm a list of how they expect each other to act at

Girl Scout meetings and events. Girl Scout Quiet Sign – Girl scouts use the quiet sign when everyone is talking and

it’s time to be quiet. Someone raises her hand and stops talking. As others see her hand in the air, they raise their right hands and stop talking too.

4. Get to know you game (15-20 minutes) Any get to know you game will work but below is one option.

o Web of Friends – Toss a ball of yarn around a circle as each girl says her name and one thing about herself.

1. Supplies – You will need a ball of string.

5. Girl Scout Promise (10-15 minutes) Ask the following questions:

o What is a promise? o Why is it important to keep our promises? o What if we forget? o What do the words “I will try” mean?

Teach the Girl Scout symbol (right hand, three fingers). Teach the Girl Scout Promise. You should say a short phrase and then have them

repeat you. Go through it a few times. If you have time, you might talk about what each part means.

o On My Honor, I will try to serve God and my country, to help people at all times and to live by the Girl Scout Law.

Promise Reminders – have the girls trace the promise on the back of their nametags. Read it one more time once the girls have completed tracing.

o You might consider collecting the nametags for the first few meetings and then passing them out again.

Supplies o You will need markers/crayons.

6. Clean Up (5-10 minutes)

Tell the girls that Girl Scouts always leave a place looking better than how they found it. Ask each girl to be responsible for her own place and her own supplies.

7. Closing Friendship Circle (5-10 minutes) This is a Girl Scout tradition and a great way to end every meeting.

o Have the girls form a circle, then cross their arms so that their right arm is over their left arm. They then hold the hands of the girls on either side of them.

o One girl or leader starts the circle by making a silent wish, then squeezing the hand of the girl on her left with her right hand.

o Each girl squeezes the next girl’s hand in turn, until the squeeze “gets back” to the first person.

o The first person then says “Goodbye Girl Scouts” and the girls can either twist out of the circle or just drop hands.

This might also be a great time for you to have the girls talk about what they learned at the meeting or make announcements for the next meeting/activity.

More to Explore

• Field Trip Ideas: o Participate in a service unit or council sponsored event.

• Speaker Ideas:

o Invite a troop of older Girl Scouts to a meeting to share about their experiences.

Family Follow-Up Email Use the email below as a template to let families know what girls did at the meeting today. Don’t forget to fill in the missing information or add additional information. Hello Girl Scout Families:

We started our Girl Scout troop. We had fun:

Getting to the girls in our troop. Learning the Girl Scout Promise

Continue the fun at home:

• Looks through your Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting to see if there are activities you would like to do at home.

Our next meeting will be We will be doing You can help us by Girls will need to bring Other important dates and upcoming activities Thank you for coming to Girl Scouts!

Objective: Introduce girls to Girl Scouting by teaching them the Girl Scout Law and continuing practicing the Promise. Outcome: Girls feel connected to their community and develop healthy relationships. Supplies: Name tags from the previous week Additional name tag supplies if you have a new girl Activities:

1. Welcome (5-10 minutes) Pass out the name tags to the girls. If you have new ones, have them make a

name tag. Ask the girls what they learned at the last meeting. As a group say the Girl Scout Promise. You might need to say a line and have

them repeat it again. You could also have them read it from their name tags.

2. Get to Know You Game (15-20 minutes) Any game will work but this is one option.

o Name Chase - The child who is "it" stands up and walks around the outside of the circle tapping each child on the head and saying their name, with prompting if necessary. At some point, when she taps a child on the head, she will say the name of the group instead (Girl Scouts). The chosen child must now jump up and chase the first child around the circle, trying to tag "it" before she can sit down in their place. If she succeeds, "it" has another go. If she fails, she takes over as "it".

3. Girl Scout Law (10-15 minutes) Say: “When we say the Girl Scout Promise we say that we will live by the Girl

Scout Law. Today we are going to learn the Girl Scout Law.” Have them repeat a line after you. Take a moment to talk about what each line

means to them. o I will do my best to be

Honest and fair, Friendly and helpful, Considerate and caring, Courageous and strong, and Responsible for what I say and do,

And to Respect myself and others,

Respect authority, Use resources wisely, Make the world a better place, And be a sister to every Girl Scout.

If you are a Daisy Troop, after completing this activity, the girls will have earned the Promise Center of the petals.

Summary: Caring for animals is fun and important! So is caring for yourself. Get ready to meet some amazing critters and hear their stories. Soon you’ll have your own stories of caring to tell and share!

Awards Earned: Birdbath Award

Getting Started: Before you begin this Journey, take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the following session outlines as well as the girl book and adult guide for 5 Flower, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals! It is helpful to read pages 14-25 of the adult guide and then read the story in the girl book. Once you have reviewed these pages, use the session outlines and the adult guide to review each week’s activities. Your group and some activities might need to be modified before beginning. You might also talk to other staff members on how they facilitated the activities. Supplies Needed by Week: Most Weeks:

5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals! - adult guide 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals! - girl book (one for each girl) Assorted craft supplies Markers and crayons Poster of the Girl Scout Law – use one that shows the flowers and the part of the law they

symbolize Week 1

Picture of a bald eagle Banner/mural size paper Poster of the Girl Scout Promise White copy paper

Week 2

Picture of a lion Mural from previous week White copy paper One brown lunch sack or paper bag for each girl

Week 3

Picture of a robin Mural from previous weeks White copy paper

Week 4

Picture of a donkey Mural from previous weeks Postcard size paper Large sheet of paper

Week 5

Picture of a crane Mural from previous weeks Square of brightly colored paper White copy paper

More to Explore – Adding to Your Journey Experience Field Trip Ideas:

o Visit a place with animals: Camp Winding River to visit the horses and goats A local zoo Pet stores, animal shelters or veterinarian offices

o Find out how animals help humans by visiting a dairy farm Speaker Ideas:

o A veterinarian or someone who works with animals o A long-term pet owner o People who foster/rescue pets o Someone who trains service animals

Objective: Girls will to introduce themselves and learn a little more about this Journey. Outcomes: Girls will develop a strong sense of self. Supplies:

Picture of a bald eagle Markers, crayons or pencils Banner/mural size paper Assorted craft materials (optional) Poster of the Girl Scout Promise White copy paper

5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals! - adult guide

5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals! - girl book (one for each girl)

Activities:

1. Opening Ceremony (10 minutes) Do the activity Animals Around the World – Introductions – Page 29 of the adult guide. Gather the girls together and ask them to introduce themselves and name one thing they like

about animals.

2. Team Animal Mural (25 Minutes) Use page 30 of the adult guide. Use the paper, assorted craft materials and markers to create a mural. This will be used throughout the Journey so it needs to be kept in a safe place. Each week, girls

will add new animals. If you have a large group you might want to make more than one mural, paint multiple animals each week or have girls work in teams.

3. Story Time (10 Minutes) “Welcome to this Amazing Animal Adventure” – This is a short introduction to the Journey. Make

sure to ask a few of the questions for the adult guide to get the girls thinking about what they are going to learn.

Use page 31 of the adult guide, page 5 of the girl book.

4. Team Talk (10 Minutes) Use page 33 of the adult guide. This is a discussion about ways people care for animals. Have the girls talk about the ideas and

then create pictures to show their ideas. Note: the creation of a team bird bath is an optional activity. Do this if you have time or want to

stretch to additional meeting times.

5. Closing (5-10 minutes) Use the closing on page 34 of the adult guide. If you started your meeting with the Girl Scout

Promise, you might want to skip the first part of the closing. However, if you have many new girls, you might want to review it again.

The Girl Scout friendship circle is a tradition in Girl Scouts and a great way to end all meetings. Directions are on page 34 of adult guide. Girls cross their right arms over their left and hold hands with the girl on either side. A small squeeze is then sent around the circle while everyone is silent.

Optional (If you have additional time)

o Build a team birdbath – Page 32 of the adult guide. o Snack Time – Create Ants on a log from page 75 of the girl book.

Family Follow-Up Email Use the email below as a template to let families know what girls did at the meeting today. Don’t forget to fill in the missing information or add additional information. Hello Girl Scout Families:

We began a new journey experience – 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals! The Journey focuses on the importance of caring for animals and for ourselves. We will be working on this Journey for the next several meetings.

We had fun:

Making an animal mural. We will continue to work on this during our journey experience. Discussing how people care for animals.

Continue the fun at home:

If you have a pet, have your Girl Scout help in the care of that animal. See if you can spot people caring for animals over the next few weeks.

Our next meeting will be We will be doing You can help us by Girls will need to bring Other important dates and upcoming activities Thank you for bringing your Daisy to Girl Scouts!

Objective: Girls will explore the many ways that caring for animals are like caring for themselves. Outcomes: Girls will seek challenges in the world. Supplies:

Picture of a lion Markers, crayons or pencils Mural from previous week Assorted craft materials Poster of the Girl Scout Law – use one

that shows the flowers and the part of the law they symbolize

One brown lunch sack or paper bag for each girl

5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals! - adult guide

5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals! - girl book (one for each girl)

White copy paper

Activities:

1. Opening Ceremony (10 minutes) Do the activity Animals Around the World – Page 37 of the adult guide. Girls are introduced to the Girl Scout Promise and Law. They see how the flowers they will meet

throughout the journey symbolize a different part of the law. They will also add a new animal to their team mural.

Have the girls add a lion to your team mural.

2. Caring for Myself (10 Minutes) Use page 37 of the adult guide – “As Girls Arrive” Activity. Each girl will create a picture or write a story about how she takes care of herself. Girls will share their pictures later in the meeting.

3. Story Time (15 Minutes)

Read “A Purr-fect Surprise in the Garden.” Use page 38 of the adult Guide, pages 6-13 of the girl book. Use the questions in the adult guide to discuss the story. You might read aloud to the girls or have the girls take turns reading the story. If your group is

very large, consider breaking down into small groups and having some of your older girls help read.

If you have time or a more active group, you might consider having the girls act out part of the story.

4. Get Creative – All about nests (25 Minutes)

Use page 41 of the adult guide. Using the paper bags, have the girls create nests. Pages 14-15 of the girl book show pictures of

different types of nests. Once they have completed their nests, girls will share the drawings they made earlier that show

how they take care of themselves. If you have space to keep the nests for the next meeting, consider keeping them. If it is not

possible go ahead and send them home with the girls. If you have time and a location with many trees, consider taking a walk around your meeting

space to see if girls can find any nests.

5. Closing (5-10 minutes) Closing Discussion: Ask the girls one way they plan to care for themselves or animals during the

next week. Encourage them to bring a picture or photo next week, or encourage them to care for themselves or an animal.

Friendship Circle - Directions are on page 34 of adult guide. Girls cross their right arms over their left and hold hands with the girl on either side. A small squeeze is then sent around the circle while everyone is silent.

Note: the closing discussion in the adult guide has the girls talk about what they learned from a guest speaker. This is an optional activity. If you did not have a guest speaker, use the closing discussion above.

Optional (If you have additional time)

Animals Safe and Sound (with Guest Speaker) – Pages 39-40 of the adult guide Snack Time – Eat Like a Rabbit – Page 40 of the adult guide

Family Follow-Up Email Use the email below as a template to let families know what girls did at the meeting today. Don’t forget to fill in the missing information or add additional information. Hello Girl Scout Families:

We continued our journey experience – 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals!

We had fun:

Making a nest. Drawing pictures of us taking care of ourselves.

Continue the fun at home:

Help your Daisy see how she is caring for herself. Our next meeting will be We will be doing You can help us by Girls will need to bring

Other important dates and upcoming activities Thank you for bringing your Daisy to Girl Scouts!

Objective: Girls use their imagination and problem-solving skills as they continue to explore how the needs of animals are similar to their own. Outcome: Girls develop positive values and healthy relationships. Supplies:

Picture of a robin Markers, crayons or pencils Mural from previous weeks Assorted craft materials Poster of the Girl Scout Promise & Law White copy paper

Activities:

5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for

Animals! - adult guide 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for

Animals! - girl book (one for each girl)

1. Opening Ceremony (15 minutes) Do the activity Animals Around the World – Page 45 of the adult guide. Ask the girls to give one example of how they cared for themselves or an animal during the past

week. If they brought a photo or drawing, encourage them to share it now. Have the girls add a robin as well as some of the items a robin eats (like worms, seeds and

spiders) to your team mural.

2. Story Time (15 Minutes) Read “First Stories.” Use page 46 of the adult guide, pages 16-23 of the girl book. Use the questions in the adult guide to discuss the story as well as what makes each girl

unique.

3. Spin-a-Tale (10 Minutes) Use page 46 of the adult guide. If you have the ability, it could be fun to record the story so that the girls can listen to it again. The directions in the adult guide mention How the Leopard Got Its Spots. Here is a link to that

story if you would like to read it to the girls as well. http://www.sff.net/people/karawynn/justso/leopard.htp

4. Role-Play: Choices, Choices (10-15 Minutes) Use page 48 of the adult guide. Have the girls work in small groups to role-play the scenarios. If you have a large group, you

might want to come up with additional ideas.

5. Closing (5 minutes) The girls have now completed the Birdbath Award. See page 52 of the adult guide for

presentation ideas. Ask the girls to share one way they care for animals and one way they care for themselves. Friendship Circle - Directions are on page 34 of adult guide. Girls cross their right arms over

their left and hold hands with the girl on either side. A small squeeze is then sent around the circle while everyone is silent.

Optional (If you have additional time)

Do the activity Fly, Fly Away – Page 47 of the adult guide. Session 4 – Pages 50-61 of the adult guide – If you need to fill additional weeks, consider adding this

session. You will see that the adult guide suggests splitting up the “First Stories” chapter from Session 3.

Session 5 – Pages 62-67 of the adult guide – This includes a field trip or nature walk if possible. You can also add Snack Time – Incredible, Edible Nest – Page 46 of the adult guide or Apple Ladybugs

– Page 56 of the adult guide. Family Follow-Up Email Use the email below as a template to let families know what girls did at the meeting today. Don’t forget to fill in the missing information or add additional information. Hello Girl Scout Families:

We continued our journey experience – 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals!

We had fun:

Practicing making choices. Making up our own animal stories.

Continue the fun at home:

Read a story like How the Leopard Lost Its Spots or Why Mosquitoes Buss in People’s Ears. Allow your Daisy to make her own choice. Take a walk around your neighborhood and see what animals you spy.

Our next meeting will be We will be doing You can help us by Girls will need to bring Other important dates and upcoming activities Thank you for bringing your Daisy to Girl Scouts!

Objective: Girls explore the needs of animals and begin to focus on specific animal needs in their communities. Outcomes: Girls will advance diversity in a multicultural world and become resourceful problem solvers. Supplies:

Picture of a donkey Markers, crayons or pencils Mural from previous weeks Assorted craft materials Poster of the Girl Scout Promise & Law Postcard size paper

Large sheet of paper 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for

Animals! - adult guide 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for

Animals! - girl book (one for each girl)

Activities:

1. Opening Ceremony (10 minutes) Do the activity Animals Around the World – Page 69 of the adult guide. In the story today, girls will visit Mexico. Ask the girls what they might know about Mexico. Once

you have talked, have the girls add a donkey to your team mural. If possible, consider bringing a globe or world map to show where Mexico is located.

2. Story Time (15 Minutes) Read “Zinni’s Story.” Use page 70 of the adult guide, pages 29-35 of the girl book. Use the questions in the adult guide to discuss the story. You might read aloud to the girls or have the girls take turns reading the story. If your group is

very large, consider breaking down into small groups and having some of your older girls help read.

3. The Power of the Postcard (20 Minutes) Use page 71 of the adult guide. You might want to bring a few examples of postcards if possible. Have them brainstorm who they could send the postcard to before they begin. For example

maybe their grandma has a cat and they might want to send her a postcard about caring for cats.

4. Comparing the Caring (10-15 minutes)

Do the activity as described on page 72-73 of the adult guide. If you did not have a chance to bring a guest speaker in Session 2, you might choose to exclude

information learned from the animal expert and just focus on the first two columns.

5. Closing (5-10 minutes) Use page 74 of the adult guide. Have the girls name one thing that they want to share with others about caring for animals. Friendship Circle - Directions are on page 34 of adult guide. Girls cross their right arms over

their left and hold hands with the girl on either side. A small squeeze is then sent around the circle while everyone is silent.

Optional (If you have additional time)

Snack - Apple Snacks and Quesadillas – Page 72 of the adult guide

Family Follow-Up Email Use the email below as a template to let families know what girls did at the meeting today. Don’t forget to fill in the missing information or add additional information. Hello Girl Scout Families:

We continued our journey experience – 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals!

We had fun:

Making postcards about caring for animals. Comparing how we care for ourselves and animals.

Continue the fun at home:

Help your Daisy come up with ways she could teach others about caring for animals. We will begin our Red Robin Project at our next meeting.

Try Japanese Garden Yoga (see page 50-51 of your Daisy’s 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals! book.)

Our next meeting will be We will be doing You can help us by Girls will need to bring Other important dates and upcoming activities Thank you for bringing your Daisy to Girl Scouts!

Objective: Girls continue to explore how caring for animals resembles caring for themselves and begin to experience the good feelings that caring gives them. Outcomes: Girls will educate and inspire others. Supplies:

Picture of a crane Markers, crayons or pencils Mural from previous weeks Assorted craft materials Poster of the Girl Scout Promise & Law Square of brightly colored paper

White copy paper 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for

Animals! - adult guide 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for

Animals! - girl book (one for each girl)

Activities:

1. Opening Ceremony (15 minutes) Do the activity Animals Around the World – Page 83 of the adult guide. In the story today, girls will visit Japan. Ask the girls what they might know about Japan. If

possible, consider bringing a globe or world map to show where Japan is located. Once you have talked, have the girls add a crane to your team mural.

2. Origami (15 Minutes) Use pages 52-53 of the girl book. The book describes how to make cranes. If you have more time, consider letting the girls create

other origami figures. Fun fact: The Girl Scouts of Japan made and mailed thousands of these cranes to the United

States as an expression of peace and friendship after the September 11th tragedy. GSUSA encouraged Girl Scouts to send cranes to Japan following the earthquake and tsunami last spring.

3. Story Time (15 Minutes) Read “Gloria’s Story.” Use page 84 of the adult guide, pages 41-47 of the girl book. Use the questions in the adult guide to discuss the story.

You might read aloud to the girls or have the girls take turns reading the story. If your group is very large, consider breaking down into small groups and having some of your older girls help read.

4. Red Robin Project Planning (20-30 minutes) A small explanation is available on page 86 of the adult guide. The best planning tool is on pages 75-81 of the adult guide. The goal of the project is to have the girls teach other how to care for animals. You might

consider using the Comparing the Caring Chart you made at the last meeting as a starting point for your project.

5. Closing (5-10 minutes) Use page 87 of the adult guide. Follow the directions as written in the adult guide. Friendship Circle - Directions are on page 34 of adult guide. Girls cross their right arms over

their left and hold hands with the girl on either side. A small squeeze is then sent around the circle while everyone is silent.

Optional (If you have additional time)

Animal Riddle Poem – Page 85 of the adult guide Fruits from Japan – Page 85 of the adult guide

Family Follow-Up Email Use the email below as a template to let families know what girls did at the meeting today. Don’t forget to fill in the missing information or add additional information. Hello Girl Scout Families:

We continued our journey experience – 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals!

We had fun:

Making origami cranes. Working on our Red Robin Project.

Continue the fun at home:

Make additional origami figures (see page 52-53 of your Daisy’s 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals! book for directions to make a cat).

Our next meeting will be We will be doing You can help us by Girls will need to bring Other important dates and upcoming activities Thank you for bringing your Daisy to Girl Scouts!

Red Robin Project The Red Robin Project is an opportunity for girls to use their new knowledge and creativity to teach others how to care for animals. The girls choose animal care tips to share with others and tell this story of animal care in a creative way. This project is a great opportunity for girls to put the lessons they learned into practice and educate others. Once you’ve completed these prepared weeks, try the rest of the prepared samples and complete a Red Robin Project. Getting started: A small explanation is available on page 86 of the adult guide. Pages 75-81 in the adult guide provide a planning resource for you to lead the girls. They select a project at the end of sample Session 7 in the adult guide. The goal of the project is to have the girls teach other how to care for animals. You might consider using the Comparing the Caring Chart you made during Week 4 as a starting point for your project.