Best day of my young teaching career :) With two separate groups of third graders, I lead some pretty heartfelt and poignant conversation surrounding MLK Day and the reasons why we abandoned our schools for a Monday, last week, in his honor. So many of my students mentioned things like racism, slavery, and even big words like segregation, without any guidance in that direction. We talked of King, Jr.s good deeds, his aim towards mutually respectful citizenship, and his use of non-violence in the face of ignorant anger, aggression, and brutality. One child even told me of his experience watching Mississippi Burning with his family. For all the sadness which could have surrounded our conversations, I was more than both intrigued and inspired by the innocent forgiveness displayed by these very young men and women. I think it is worth noting that I feel beyond blessed to have the distinct honor of teaching a classroom of individuals who acknowledge that I look differently from them, but respect me just as equally as I love them. We wrote short poems reflecting our own dreams for peaceful co-habitation of Earth, for people of all cultures, colors, and creeds. Students wrote about everything from wishing murder off of Earth, to wishing good health to people who should quit smoking! One student shared her experience of visiting the MLK rememberance statue in our nations capital, and she brought in some souveniers acquired from said excursion. I could see how proud she was to show and tell, as her peers surrounded around her in awe and innocent jealousy. Although a difficult and sad subject, one young student even told me, adorably, but mistakenly, that They got him! The man who shot Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.! Mike Eddie Earl was his name! God I love these kiddos. I really see them trying so hard for me. We had a wonderful afternoon, talking about things both tragic and glorious.
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 23:38:21 +0000
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