One of my favorite topics to teach, is teaching students about the different themes in stories. Sure, when we read stories, we usually look for problems and solutions, or discuss character traits, but to understand what the story is teaching is, is a hard topic for kids.
One of my favorite books, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, was a book that I chose for this particular lesson. I felt that this book provided many different themes that could be argued with evidence from the story. Now, I haven't read this story is a long time, and little did I know that this would be a lesson for me too.
So.... we started the lesson by discussing what theme is, and we talked about all of the different types of themes that books can teach us, and discussed examples of stories that we have read that might have had one of these themes. Then, we reviewed how to pick a theme and use evidence from the story to support that theme... you know how all of that teaching stuff goes.... but then I began to read the story...
Well, if you don't know this story, I'll give you a bit of background:
A little boy is befriends a tree, and he plays with the tree all the time as a child, and the tree loves the little boy. As he ages, he always visits the tree and asks for things, and the tree does its best to provide for the boy (or man). The tree gives everything it possibly can to the boy/man through its life and his life; each time it gives, it is still happy.
At one point, during the story, a little girl raises her hand and says "Why is the tree still happy, even when he (the boy) takes her branches and her leaves? He's hurting her!!!"
At that moment, I stopped, and really thought about what she said before I answered her. Hmmm.... then I had one of those really in depth thoughts and analyzed this story. This story has so much symbolism...I mean this tree could represent many things!! The tree could represent a mother, a teacher, GOD!!! WOW....why had I never thought about this before?
So, then I answered her in my teacher voice, " Well, sometimes when you really love something or someone, you do everything in your power to help them and provide for them. Sometimes, making someone else happy, is all the happiness anyone or anything needs. In this case, the tree loves the boy so much, that giving everything to him, makes her the happiest because she knows that she is making the person she loves so incredibly happy. Like your mom or dad...see, parents do the same for us. They would do anything for you, they would give everything they could to see you succeed in life, and that is what the tree is like for that boy."
The little girl looked at me and smiled, the reassuring smile of, "Okay, I understand that". After the story, we discussed the themes that this book represented: Love, friendship, kindness, being self-less.
So, folks, I leave you with this:
If you are a parent, share this story with your babies. You are an amazing parent because you are self less, loving, and kind, like the tree.
If you are a teacher, share this with your class and teach them to be kind, teach them about friendship, and love. Tell them, that you are the tree, because we all know that teachers are self less, we love our "kids", and we provide them everything we can (within our means).
If you are a wife, share this with your husband. Share the love and passion of the tree because in a marriage you share the love of the tree...you both give without asking for anything in return, you always provide, and you both love unconditionally.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Good times, bad times
I don't know about you, but it has been a heck of a week! I've never been so happy to see a weekend, and this weekend is a long weekend break for me! I am going to start with the bad, but end with the good....
Everyone knows by my ugly Facebook posts that my wedding rings magically disappeared from the teacher's lounge bathroom on Monday. By fault, I left them resting on the sink after I washed my hands. I don't know how many people asked me if they could have fallen down the drain...well the answer is there is no way! The drain is caged in by a stopper so that only tiny things can get into the tiny holes that the drain has. Then, someone asked if they could have been pushed over into the trash can...well an hour and a half after I realized I'd left them there ( on the sink) I went to the bathroom in a panic and dug through every single piece of trash...yuck, I know! So, at this point, someone took them and probably sold them, unless their fingers are a tiny size 4.5. I apologize for being so ugly about it, but I am very OCD about things and where I place things, I know I left them there, there isn't a single doubt in my mind. The thing that bothers me the most, is knowing that an adult had to take them, adults that work in a school and teach children to NOT take things that don't belong to them. While I would like to always see the good in everything, it's hard to see the good in this situation.
A person made a lovely comment on my wall, reminding me that while someone can steal an object that identifies my marital status, they certainly can not steal the love I share with my husband, and they definitely can not steal the memories of my wedding day. A comment, that was eloquently written, and true to the core. While my head hangs low because I'm hurt that someone would steal, my heart only hurts for the person who has learned how to take out of greed. They can take an object that I certainly can't afford to replace, but they can't steal the love that the rings are based upon. Thank you for the reminder :)
Secondly, I would like to thank my wonderful family and friends for trying to make my birthday special even when I was a cranky butt all week long, literally, a cranky butt! My husband tried to take my mind off things by offering to take me to the movies or out to dinner while I sulked around the house, mad that I put this situation upon myself. Poor guy, but I did have a lovely dinner at Ruth's Chris in Wilmington on Thursday night, even if my poor fellow forgot his wallet (can we catch a break here), thanks to mom and dad for helping us out, or else we would have been washing dishes all week long, haha! I am overjoyed by the amount of love that I receive from my family, they are always so thoughtful! I can't forget my friends either...my friend Brittney brought me a super yummy cupcake, my friend Hannah sent me a card and a painted card from her 2 year old daughter, along with her daugher singing happy birthday, so sweet! My sister in law sent me a beautiful blouse! And my two other best friends, Carma and Lauren, also sent me sweet cards and gifts. I can not thank you all enough for being so kind and thoughtful!
That, folks, is what life is all about, through bad times and good times, you always have your family and close friends to remind you that you are always loved!
Everyone knows by my ugly Facebook posts that my wedding rings magically disappeared from the teacher's lounge bathroom on Monday. By fault, I left them resting on the sink after I washed my hands. I don't know how many people asked me if they could have fallen down the drain...well the answer is there is no way! The drain is caged in by a stopper so that only tiny things can get into the tiny holes that the drain has. Then, someone asked if they could have been pushed over into the trash can...well an hour and a half after I realized I'd left them there ( on the sink) I went to the bathroom in a panic and dug through every single piece of trash...yuck, I know! So, at this point, someone took them and probably sold them, unless their fingers are a tiny size 4.5. I apologize for being so ugly about it, but I am very OCD about things and where I place things, I know I left them there, there isn't a single doubt in my mind. The thing that bothers me the most, is knowing that an adult had to take them, adults that work in a school and teach children to NOT take things that don't belong to them. While I would like to always see the good in everything, it's hard to see the good in this situation.
A person made a lovely comment on my wall, reminding me that while someone can steal an object that identifies my marital status, they certainly can not steal the love I share with my husband, and they definitely can not steal the memories of my wedding day. A comment, that was eloquently written, and true to the core. While my head hangs low because I'm hurt that someone would steal, my heart only hurts for the person who has learned how to take out of greed. They can take an object that I certainly can't afford to replace, but they can't steal the love that the rings are based upon. Thank you for the reminder :)
Secondly, I would like to thank my wonderful family and friends for trying to make my birthday special even when I was a cranky butt all week long, literally, a cranky butt! My husband tried to take my mind off things by offering to take me to the movies or out to dinner while I sulked around the house, mad that I put this situation upon myself. Poor guy, but I did have a lovely dinner at Ruth's Chris in Wilmington on Thursday night, even if my poor fellow forgot his wallet (can we catch a break here), thanks to mom and dad for helping us out, or else we would have been washing dishes all week long, haha! I am overjoyed by the amount of love that I receive from my family, they are always so thoughtful! I can't forget my friends either...my friend Brittney brought me a super yummy cupcake, my friend Hannah sent me a card and a painted card from her 2 year old daughter, along with her daugher singing happy birthday, so sweet! My sister in law sent me a beautiful blouse! And my two other best friends, Carma and Lauren, also sent me sweet cards and gifts. I can not thank you all enough for being so kind and thoughtful!
That, folks, is what life is all about, through bad times and good times, you always have your family and close friends to remind you that you are always loved!
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