Cinderella and the Magic of Slippers

If I would choose my favorite fairy tale it would be Cinderella.  I love the triumph of the good, the happily-ever-after ending, and the glass slipper!  

Those who know me know my love affair with shoes, sandals, and slippers.  I love trying them out and finally getting THE one.  I don't really get the most expensive ones.  My style is more Spartan and Havanas (notice the spelling), instead of the more popular and branded kinds.  I just love the feel of being comfortable in my footwear and just being me.  

Today, a new Hungry Minds friend sent 12 pairs of slippers to school. 

Knowing that there won't be enough for everyone, I asked the help of Teacher Olive in talking to the 4th Graders about who needs slippers the most.  The children raised their hands and chose those who should get slippers based on what they know from each other's families.  There were a couple who were nominated, but said that the slippers should go to others since their slippers still fit them.  Thus, some students were chosen, and the matching of feet and slippers began.  

Since some of the pairs were small, we asked Joan, a girl from 5th Grade, to see if the slippers fit her, and they did.  She has two younger sisters who could use the other pairs so these were given to her.

Our children had smiles on their faces as they wore their new footwear.  This affirms that a single act of kindness could yield happiness in not just one other person but in many people.  Going back to my childhood fairy tale, I now know that fairy godmothers are for real.  They exist in those who care enough to share.  They come alive every time a smile is born.   

Thank you to all the fairy godmothers of Food for Hungry Minds School.

Photo Credit for Cinderella: www.google.com

Hopes and Dreams

The 4th graders voiced out what they wanted in life in a session on Hopes and Dreams that I had with them. Some of them told me they don't know how to speak in English. I assured them they would learn. Here's what some of them wrote:

• I wish that my old classmates and friends are safe.
• I want to be an "accounter" in a bank someday.
• I want to have new friends in school.
• I wish we could have a new house because our old one burned down.
• I hope I can finish College so I can send my brothers and sisters to school.
• I wish that Food for Hungry Minds can teach more children about good manners.

Most of the children asked for help in saying what they wanted to say, but this last one, surprisingly, was written without any help.

"I want to be a principal like Teacher Candice so I can lead all the children and the teachers."

This definitely made my day! Yippeee! :)

Photo credit: http://www.reneedecator.com/blog/uploaded_images/rdecator_dream-737276.jpg

Priceless!

We have just started with formal classes in school. Since I love teaching and I want to get to know the new children better, I have been teaching Grade 4 English for the past two days. As I met the children, most of them seemed as if they were sizing me up. Was I to be trusted? Would they dare speak in front of the Principal?

After telling them about who I was and letting them know that I, too, am human, most children warmed up. I noticed someone in the back, though. He was one of the tiniest boys. He didn't want to make eye contact. He wasn't responding. I was cracking jokes and making everyone smile, everyone except him. I asked him to sit up front since I knew we weren't making too much progress. I made it a point to look at him when I discussed what we were to do.

Later, as I asked the children to write, he was the first to have his work checked. He was also the first to finish the whole task. I gave him extra strokes for his hard work. He beamed at me! He even helped his classmates put up their work on the board. His confidence level was up. He even had the courage to compliment me on the work I did.

How priceless it is to have made that connection!

Photo credit: http://www.millstone.k12.nj.us/teachers/camposl/teecher.gif