Make a difference
I started my day reading a post from Erica, a fifth grader.
why there is too much violence in the world. There are bad people in the world. Why the bad people do bad things to the world? Why do people have to fight?
Tough question but one that merits answers. Here’s mine:
Erica,
You ask questions that are very hard to answer but I want you to know that I ask the same questions myself. It is so hard to understand why there is so much violence in the world. One thing I want you to know is that each day millions of children go to school and go to bed and their lives are full of happy and good things. All the good things that go on in the world go on without making headlines in the news. I wish we would hear more about those good things that are happening. These bad things do happen though. That’s why we have police, jails and laws to protect us from these bad people. I do wish that we could find ways to solve differences by other means than fighting (like in wars). One thing we can do is always stand up for what is right when we see bad things happen. I think if we try to help others and know that one person can make a difference. You are doing that now by asking these questions.You are making us think. I also like the way you signed your post with love. We need more love in the world! We will all work together to make a difference!
Love,
Mrs. Davis
I’m reminded once again about the importance of commenting. Hmmm, I’m going to double my efforts there, especially with our students. We can make a difference…..
September 27th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
It moves me,the spirit of education moves me.I’m from China,　there are some differences in education between our two countrys. Welcome your visit to my blog:http://www.seruo.com.It is a pity my blog is written in chinese.
thanks.
September 29th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Your comments to Erica are right on. I agree that we should all do our best to make a difference in our world so that the future is something to look forward to- not fear.
October 2nd, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Hi Anne,
I would first like to say that I agree with the way in which you responded to this student’s question. You answered her question directly, taking care to note that good things do happen while bad things still exist. Your post prompted me to reflect on something that I feel I have always struggled with: to what extent should we shelter students from the violent realities of the world? I struggle with this question because, in my opinion, I did not lead a sheltered childhood. My parents did not hide reality from my sisters and me; they wanted us to know the truth. I recently attended a wake of a girl I went to high school with and ran in to an old acquaintance of mine who seemed very distraught, aside from the fact that her friend had passed away. She explained to me that it was the first wake she had ever been to in her whole twenty years of living. I was surprised by this fact given that it was the eighth wake I had been to in my own nineteen years of living. I had always assumed that everyone my age had experienced death at least once. From this I realized the vast diversity among students in regards to their experiences of difficult life events. I have always believed that children should not be sheltered from these realities yet care should be taken to inform them in the healthiest manner possible when questions arise. In a few years, I will be teaching at the high school level. While my students will be older than the young girl you responded to, I know that their backgrounds and outlooks on life will differ from one another and that there will be varying degrees in their abilities to cope with tragedy. I realize that in order to preserve the wellbeing of my students, I will need to keep these facts in mind and devise ways in which to address issues that may arise. Thank you for your time.
-Caitlin Colins
October 2nd, 2007 at 10:55 pm
As a future educator myself, this comment reminded me of what an import role we have as teachers to set that example for what “good things” are. Being able to some how inspire and comfort children who come to us from an environment full of “bad things” is such a powerful motivator.
October 15th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
I love the new technology open to students these days. Blogs are opening their minds and allowing them to feel like their opinions can be heard. Comments from teachers show them that they have great ideas and that they matter very much in the world even though they may be young. I’m sure that your comment to Erica gave her a sense of hope, that even though the world seems much bigger than her and difficult to handle, other people feel exactly the same way. She is not alone. Comments such as these validate students and make them feel comfortable to open up and share their opinions even more in the future. I’m excited to use blogging with my students and find out what great ideas and opinions they have!
October 15th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
I love the way you began your response to Erica by stating that you, as an adult, also struggle with the issue of “Why do bad people do bad things?” I think it is important for our students to realize that we, also, have similar struggles with understanding why things in this world are the way they are. I commend you! =D -future teacher
November 9th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
This response really exposes the messed up culture we are living in due to the news theory that “If it bleeds, it leads.†As educators we know the home life of a child shapes so much and we only have to look at the six o’clock news to see the same disasters that youngsters are viewing and hearing opinions about at home. Even as an adult I find it a chore to watch the first six minutes of any news broadcast and not get disgusted. We know we have a problem when we want it to be election time; at least during that time every newscast isn’t engulfed with horror stories.
As educators we also know how important and influential a child’s classroom experience can be. I believe we need to highlight more of the good things in classrooms, on assignments, etc. This art seems to get lost around the transition into secondary education. At those levels students hear more and focus more on what they did wrong as opposed to right. I know the value of critiquing and getting better at what we do poorly, but it is still rewarding for students to hear positive comments in this sometimes thankless time of their life. I also appreciate the fact we don’t need to put smiley-face stickers on high school papers and at times focusing on negative behaviors for disciplinary actions is needed, but instructors and school workers need to find a healthy blend of each.
January 26th, 2008 at 1:14 am
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February 19th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Mrs. Davis-
It touches me that you would take the time to respond to this child. She asks a very simple question, yet one that is difficult for most adults to answer. Children need to know that there are adults out there that they can rely on and trust. They need to know that, while the world can be scary at times, it isn’t always a frightening place. Reminding her that good people need to stand up in the face of adversity helps to instill in her a sense of morality. I admire the approach that you took with this girl, and I hope that as I enter the teaching profession that I am as caring with my students as you have been in your response to this young lady. Thank you!