We started another week today. As an update to last week, our tree on the playground hasn’t changed colors yet. As a matter of fact, it looks very ugly right now. I hope that it doesn’t disappoint this year. Fingers crossed!
In other news, we had Parent/Conferences last Thursday. Room 16 had 90% attendance rate! I appreciate each visit we had. When we work together we see a huge spike in progress in the classroom. Click the link below to stay aware of what is happening this week. You will also see a family picture of my star student this week, Avery.
https://www.smore.com/nq8ac
I appreciate all the kind words and posts about our Star Student Yard Signs. I will be moving the sign around every Friday. I can’t wait to surprise the next student.
This week’s quote is actually from an Aesop's Fable--The Lion and the Mouse.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
I was excited to introduce this quote, as I love fables! I was surprised as well that none of my students could tell me the story of the the The Lion and the Mouse. For my readers who don’t remember the story, here is a quick recap.
In the fable, a lion wants to eat a mouse who wakes him up. The mouse begs forgiveness and promises to return the favor if ever he is given the opportunity. He also makes the point that such unworthy prey, as he, should not stain the lion’s great paws. The lion is moved to uncontrollable laughter and when he recovers, lets the mouse go, stating that he has not had such a good laugh in ages. Later, the lion is captured by hunters and tied to a tree; the lion roars with all his might so that someone might help him. The mouse hears the lion’s pleas and frees him by gnawing through the ropes. The moral of this story is stated in the last line of the fable:
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
After giving the students the gist of the fable, we talked a bit about random acts of kindness. We talked about how kindness spreads like wildfire. I showed the kids a quick video (found below) about what kindness does to our bodies and how it makes people feel. Later in the day, we talked a bit more about the quote. The students wrote two acts of kindness they want to do this week for an unsuspecting person. Of course, I don’t want to spoil any surprises, but this week, just as those in the past, these kids continue to amaze me.
One student summed it up perfectly as we were getting ready for the bus dismissal.
“Everyone needs to be kinder. If I’m ever in a bind like the lion, I hope I have treated people good enough that they want to free me and not walk by me!”
Until next week,
Mr. B
P.S.--Dear Readers--Next Monday South Elementary is having a Pink Out Day in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. As you all know, this is a special cause for me! If you have someone you would like my class to honor who has fought breast cancer, please let us know. Send us a picture, name, and anything else you want us to know. We want to celebrate those who are fighting and remember those who lost their fight. We hope to hear from you all!