The thoughts of Julian's Virtual Classroom Kids on giving, after reading The Giving Tree:

I think giving is something that we can all really enjoy and relate to. I am doing secret Santa with some of my friends. Secret Santa -if you are not aware of what you do- is you pick a name out of a hat or something then who ever you pick you give a bunch of small gifts until really close to Christmas and then you give them a nicer gift. When you give the gift you must have a note that says a hint about who you are. After they all received the gifts then you have to guess who your secret Santa is.

With another group of friends and my family I am doing the traditional gift giving. All of the gifts I am giving are purchased with my own money that I had made either by babysitting or by chores. This way I feel better about what I am giving them and it really feels like it is my gift to them.

What ever form of gift giving or just plain giving that I do, I really enjoy doing, because I know that they will enjoy the gift and that make it worth giving.

Casey C., grade 7

We all love getting our favorite thing as a gift. Even if it is a small present you feel good because you got at least something and it is exciting. In order for you to get that awesome present, there has to be a giver behind it.They feel good when you get excited and jump around. This is their present you give to them. It is a cycle, which means we all give in some way. Giving feels good and so does receiving. We should all give and receive a little bit because it's fun!

Jacob H., grade 7

I think giving is an important thing in life. Everyone should give something, and not only receive from others.

When you give to people, you get a warm feeling in your body. I know it is the right thing to to for many reasons. When you give, it means that you care about others, and you want them to be happy, as well as yourself.

When you are only a receiver, you don't feel as great as when you give, because it doesn't mean that you are caring about people. And that shouldn't make you happy. When you only receive gifts, it may mean that you are well liked, but it doesn't mean that you are the nicest person in the world. People may think that you are uncaring, unfair, and unkind.

Being a giver is something to be proud of. If someone does something for you like giving up something that they love or like a lot, just for you to be happy, it should mean a lot. Just like giving does.

I am going to try to give to all of my friends and family this Christmas. Because they try and give to me. And I feel happier when I know that I am being a nice person.

Emma F., grade 7

Giving is great. When I give I fell good. I give on holidays to funds. This year me my sister and my brother gave to a village in Africa a goat and school supplies. I think giving to people helps me become a better person. One of the best things I have ever heard was from a great football player who had tons of money. He said that he never wants to go out like a great football player that no one likes because he's a jerk, he wants to go out like a great football player and a great person. He said this because he wanted to start a football clinic for less fortunate kids and one of his friends said why, who cares about those kids. But even though his friend said that he wanted to be nice and give back to his hometown.

Nicholas K. grade 7

Giving is an ever-revolving circle. In order to give you must have something to give. Most people don't feel obligated to give unless they receive. People who give in hopes of receiving, are not thinking right, because if they don't get something back they probably will think twice before giving something again. Most Christian Families celebrate Christmas where parents (usually) give their children presents on Christmas. They use Santa Claus as a guise to get children to behave, fair trade right? You behave you get gifts. Then there are some kids who get gifts anyway. But the point when they grow, they give their children gifts (and other family members) on Christmas, and probably talk about Santa Claus until the kid is maybe 10 and learns the truth. All in all giving is an ever-repeating pyramid scheme.

Evan T., Grade 8

Giving is a thing that is very pronounced during the holiday season. People give gifts and receive gifts from friends, relatives, and neighbors. This opportunity to make others happy is very nice.

Some people like giving gifts more than others, but it makes others very happy when they receive gifts. Someone who gives a gift can also get something out of the process. They could enjoy the happiness of the receiver of the gift and know that that were the cause of that happiness.

Giving. It is the process of giving a gift to someone to make them happy. This process usually happens around the winter holidays such as Christmas and Hanuka. During this season a lot of happiness goes around from giving and receiving presents and gifts.

Emily A., grade 8

What is giving? Giving is a special joy that people get when they give someone else something that they can use or look at, our touch. The big idea to the story of the giving tree is that giving is more important than receiving, and I have to agree.

In the story of the giving tree, the young boy asks for a lot. When it starts out, he likes the tree for what she is, and plays with her all the time. However, as the boy soon became older, his demands and greeds soon became high. As a teenager, he wanted money. The self-less tree offered her apples to the boy for him to sell in the market. When the boy was a young man, the tree gave up her branches for the boy's house, and when he was an old man the tree gave up her body for his boat. And for everything the tree did, she was happy.

You see, to me, it seems giving is the best joy you can have. The boy was greedy, and always wanted something. In the end, he was sad. The tree however, was kind hearted and devoted her life to pleasing the boy. In the end, she was happy.

So, what is the moral of the story? Well, the moral of the story is that old line, 'It is better to give than to receive'. With this story, this line seems to be the case.

Nathan R., grade 8

Giving. When people think about giving, they think about giving presents, or money. Giving doesn't necessarily mean giving things, or objects. It can mean giving actions. Like love, or kindness, or hatred. But during the holidays, especially, many people are giving. Families giving to family. Friends giving to friends. But during the holiday season, people are giving both ways. We give presents, food, and lots of love an laughter. When I think of giving, I think of sharing. SHARING IS CARING! Giving is sharing, and sharing is caring, and thats what makes people happy.

Kelly H., grade 8

To me giving means helping someone in a way to make them happy, or helping them when they are in trouble, or doing something for someone. Most of the time if you help someone, it will make you feel good.

In the Giving Tree, the tree starts out by giving fun to the boy, and the boy climbs on the tree's branches and eats the tree's apples, and plays on the tree. So since the boy is happy, the tree is happy. Then the boy comes back as a teenager, and the tree helps the boy by giving the boy its apples so the boy can sell them for money. And since the boy is happy, the tree is happy. Then the boy come back again, but this time as an adult. And the tree gives the boy its brances so the boy can build a house. And since the boy is happy, the tree is happy. Then the boy comes back again, but this time he is an old man, and the tree gives the boy its trunk so the boy can make a boat and sail away, and since the boy is happy, the tree is happy. Then the boy comes back a last time, but the tree has nothing to give, but the very old man, just wants a place to sit, so the boy sits on the tree's stump. And since the old man is happy the tree is happy.

And this story means that even if you have nothing to give, you can still give even if you don't think that you can. And you can always make someone else happy.

Milo S., grade 8

If I could give my friends and family I would give them strength, good health and happiness, but I would give them some other things too. I would give my sister a new piano for her room because she likes to play piano, my dad a new painting studio because his is small, and my mom some new guitars because she likes to play guitars. I would also want to go to hospitals and give little kids who are sick presents like stuffed animals because that might make them a little bit happier. I would also want to give homeless people blankets and food, and I would like to donate a lot of money to places that help to cure cancer, or other diseases.

I really liked the story The Giving Tree because the tree gives the boy her wood, her leaves, and apples and everything even though he doesn’t give anything back. And the tree was happy, because when you give people things it feels good and you are happy.

Emma B., grade 7

I think that the giving tree is a true masterpiece. The fact that the tree loves the boy so much that she will give her whole life away just so that the boy will be happy is heartwarming.

This story shows the true nature of giving. It shows complete selflessness and what is really means to give.

I wish that all humanity could be like the tree. If the whole world didn't care as much about themselves and cared more about other people, maybe world peace could be achieved and and global warming could be stopped. I plan be truly giving like the tree this holiday season.

Leah S., grade 7

You've heard it millions of times; it's better to give then to recive. But it's so true. During the holidays, you expect presents, right? You wouldn't get those iPods or WIIs if some one didn't give them to you. So remember, presents don't from no where. So if you don't give this season, you won't recieve.

Nina S., grade 7

Giving is when you have something personal, picked something out for someone, or have made something for someone and put it in their possession for a good purpose. Giving can be for a holiday or special event or it can just be for a good deed for a friend.

You may give something because someone has done you a favor. Many people give to their family just to show that they are still a part of their lives. When you give, it doesn’t have to be a big, special occasion. Giving can show that you are looking out for someone.

No matter what someone gives you, you should always be appreciative and happy because someone is showing kindness when they give. If someone went out and gets you a sock from their old uncle Joe or a brown, smelly hat from grandpa Marc, you should be appreciative. Even if you aren’t in any need for a sock or dirty brown hat, you should be happy that they went out and got you something so that you would be happy.

Victor P., grade 8

When I read this story it made me think of how the tree kept giving when it didn't have much. The boy though, kept going back to the tree always needing more things without giving any signs of thanks. Even though the tree is happy I don't really think it is right for the boy to go to the tree only when he is in need.

And after reading the person in Croatia who wrote about losers and winners I would agree that the boy is a loser or at least has the characteristics of a loser - always wanting more. But the tree always is giving even when it has nothing left to give which is really nice and deserves more from the boy.

Charlie K., grade 7

Giving is something that too typically missing from modern society. But when it does happen, it is taken for granted, or taken advantage of. In the story, this is shown perfectly. The tree gave everything she had to the boy, but he just kept coming back for more. The tree was so selfless in giving up what she had, but the boy just took her for granted.

Giving, although this may not be noticed is a two-way process. The giver (for example, the tree) of course, is the one giving, an act that is both kind, and sometimes helpful. But the person who recieves will also act upon the gift. In the story, the boy thanks the tree, but keeps coming back for more. This is an example of reacting to a gift. Most people will say thank you, and sometimes, that is enough.

However, in some cases, such as that of the tree and the boy, sometimes more is required. But, these actions are not always truly noticable. In a way, towards the end, the boy does express his return-gift to the tree. The boy loved the tree, and cherished it, and that was enough for the tree.

So, giving, a kind and selfless act, though we see it every day, is not such a simple process. It relies on both the giver and the reciever, and is not as simple as just wrapping something up. No matter how small, there is always something behind these gifts. Giving is something that we should cherish, and try to preserve within our communities and cultures.
Yulia S., grade 7

To me, giving, is doing something for another person, whether it be a gift or some sort of action, without expectation of any gift or action in return. In my opinion, if you are either expecting something in return, or want something in return then it isn't giving. For an example, the tree in "The Giving Tree" didn't expect anything from the boy/teen/man/old person when she gave herself to him.

Keenan, grade 7

Giving is a very special thing. It is something people do around the holidays and other times when people are together to show their love for another person. Some people give presents around christmas to people in their family or other loved ones. Other people give all year round to charities and other organizations. I have done a couple of things to give to less fortinute people in this past month. I helped out with adopt a family and my friend and I bought kitchen ware for a family that they needed. I also helped gather winter clothes for children at my church and wrapped the clothes. Then my church sent the clothes out to the children so that they could be warm for the holidays. I think it is important to give to people because some day you might need to be helped out just like they did.

Ryan C. grade 8

Christmas may have gotten off the path of the whole "Jesus birthday thing", but it still has a good message. Giving. Giving presents, giving thanks, giving hope, giving services, giving someone an outstanding memory. During Christmas, we probably do the most of the presents, but that is good to. Some people can't even afford presents, and when we do adopt a family at Julian, I'm sure it means a lot to those families at Christmas time. Giving makes the receiver and the giver feel good. Many people give because it makes them feel good about themselves, but others just do it because they want to be nice and help, but in the end there is no such thing as a selfless deed.

Teddy G., grade 8

I think that giving in many ways is better than getting. I always see giving as a sort of puzzle in times like birthdays and winter holidays because I always strive to find the gift that they don't ask for but still love to get. In many ways it is about getting to know that person better. the great thing about times like Christmas or Hanukkah is that as well as getting a great feeling about giving you also get great stuff yourself. I often think of giving as a way to have everyone around you happy. I think it is that sense of everyone being happy that is often named as the holiday spirit but it also comes when ever any gift is given.

Tom D., grade 8

Giving, in my opinion, is all about doing something voluntarily in order to help someone, or make someone feel better about themselves. Also, it could be the act of of just simply saying hello to someone or even just saying Merry Christmas, or Happy Hannukah, or Happy New Year. All these components could really make someones day a lot better, and that is what giving is all about. Also, its about making the person who is giving feel a lot better as well.

Tom I, grade 8

Giving is basically giving others something even when they aren't asked to just because they feel like doing something nice for others. In the end of the process of giving, the receiver is happy because he or she received something that they wanted or needed and the one giving is happy because he or she knows that they were able to make someone else happy with their gift. After that, the process of giving continues and the giving spreads from house to house and sooner or later it will spread through out the whole community and continues to spread to other communities until the act of giving is used everywhere.

Jakob M., grade 8

When people talk about giving they usually say that "giving is better than receiving". I don't agree with them. They say that giving makes you feel good inside. I would rather receive than give. I don't see why people say giving is so great. It doesn't make me feel good inside. Receiving is so much better than giving. Some people would call me selfish and greedy. In the Giving Tree I think the tree was a little bit dumb. Every time she gave the boy something to make him happy all he did was take it and then come back for more. All the boy was doing was using the tree for his advantage.

Phillip R., grade 8

To me giving is somebody giving gifts, food, basically anything without people asking or when people are asking. When I think of the word giving I think of people taking care of other people or just helping that person.
Sometimes when I think of giving, I think of responsibility. Such as a parent or 2 taking care of a child or children. Feeding, washing, clothing, and the most important loving your child or animal to me is giving.

Giving is happiness to the giver and the receiver.

Darian R., grade 8

Giving: the wondrous thing we do around this time of year. We have been giving gifts, items, food, ect. for as long as our history goes. We have done it since mesopotamean times, under the name of "trade". Trading basically is giving, but both people give stuff to each other. Buying is giving too, but it involves money as one of the gifts. But it is only around this time of year that people buy things to give for free to each other. These are the gifts that aren't given for greed, but out of love or friendship. We give year round, but we only recognize the true meaning of it now. So give this year not for yourself, but for others.

Robert V., grade 7

Giving is a wonderful thing, while some people take it for granted, like the boy in the poem "The Giving Tree". It feels good to give to someone and know you have made someone feel good. But not only that you feel good too. So when you give you're not only giving to someone else you're giving to yourself too.

Everyone gives even if they don't notice they are doing it. For example, you give someone a friend when you talk to someone. Giving can save someones life. Without giving I doubt people would like life nearly as much.

Sarah F., grade 7

I like this story a lot and it is a great stroy to read for this holiday season. I think especially Christmas. I think a lot of people would think of Christmas because of the presents. In the story the boy used to always play with the tree; he would swing on the vines and climb the tree. But... the boy grew much, much older and never had any time to play with the tree. So, the tree became very sad. But then, the boy came back and said that he wanted money and a house. So, the tree said that he could pick some apples off of her branches and sell them at the market. So he did. Then he came back and said he wanted to build a house. So the tree said, you can cut off my branches to build a house. So he did. Then, the boy never came back until a long while later. Then he said, I want to build a boat to get out of here. So, the tree said she would let him cut off her trunk and build the boat. So he did. But the both of them were miserably sad. Later on, the boy came back and said he was really sad. So then the tree offered him a seat on her stump. This story really sybolizes giving because the tree gave him a .lot of stuff that he needed. =]

Parker, grade 7

Giving is a way of being kind to other people by sacrificing something of your own. It can be anything from toys for kids who don't have any, to giving money to someone who is a little down on their luck. In other words, sacrificing those toys, and sacrificing that money to make someone else's life better. Even if you think you've got nothing to give, you can improve someones life by simply being kind, or "giving" your kindness.

In The Giving Tree, the tree gave the boy all she had, her branches, apples, and trunk, until she was reduced to just a stump, and all because she wanted to make the boy happier and make his life better.

I think that everyone can afford to be a little more generous. The people with a lot can and should give to those who have only a little. Giving just a little can help someone more than you would think.

Evan F., grade 8

I the video showed good things about giving. It showed how if you give you can recive .Giving is a good thing like how the tree kid when he grew up.

Timothy, Grade 7

I think that when you give, you receive. You recieve a great feeling that you gave someone happiness. That you were the cause of joy. When you receive from someone, you feel great about it, because you know that someone cares about you very much. That they gave up their time and money to get you what you really wanted. Every time i give someone something, I feel so great. I think that the tree did not care that the boy was taking everything she had. She was just happy that he was happy. Also that his joyfulness was caused by her giving. That is what I think about giving.

Henry, grade 7

I think that the piont of this story is to tell people to give things to people. When you give things to people it makes you feel good on the inside. When you give things the other person is also happy. They get what they want and they are both happy. The tree let the boy do what ever he wanted to do as long as the boy was happy.

Christian, grade 7

I give things to make people happy. And when other people are I feel like I did something good and that makes me happy. I give things to people for birthdays, Christmas, or any other special occasion. when I give thin gs to people I put a lot of thought into it and make sure that they will like it.

Nick R., grade 7