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Maya Angelou, one of my favorite writers, once stated the following: “I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This last line actually appears on a poster in my classroom. See if you can spot this poster on Monday!
Maya has a beautiful way with words, and so do many of you! Did you know that April is national poetry month? There are several different types of poems. Some rhyme. Some don't. Some are short, while others are long. Earlier this year, as you may recall, you wrote your own "I Am" poems. At this point in the school year, I like to do another type of poem called the "I've Learned" poem. With this poem, each line begins with the words "I've Learned" and then you finish each line with a valuable lesson or piece of information. This can be something that you learned when you were 2 or it can be something that you learned more recently! It can be as long or as short as you want it to be (though 10 lines should be a good goal.) There's no right or wrong to writing this type of poem. For your hard work and effort, I will give a Sanford Dollar and a 5 point bonus on today's quiz to any student that posts his/her own "I've Learned" poem to Edmodo before Monday; you can make this post to your small group!
Whenever I give you a task, I give the same task to myself, so here's my own "I've Learned" poem:
I’ve learned that everyone needs someone to tell them that they they’re something.
I’ve learned that exercise is good for your body, but knowledge is good for your soul.
I’ve learned that my biggest muscle is not my bicep but my heart.
I’ve learned that we give too much attention to what’s wrong and not enough attention to what’s right.
I’ve learned that heroes don’t wear red capes. Sometimes they wear stethoscopes, badges, glasses, high heels, boots, and even sunglasses.
I’ve learned that I don’t need to know how to speak every language if I know how to give a smile.
I’ve learned that being bullied doesn’t ever give a person the right to become a bully.
I’ve learned to march to the beat of my own drum and enjoy the rhythm of life.
I’ve learned that being cool only comes from being comfortable with looking in the mirror and liking what you see on the inside.
I’ve learned that you’ll be pressured throughout your life, but if you’re sure of what you stand for, you’ll find strength in the word “no” even when it’s hard.
I’ve learned that YOLO shouldn’t stand for You Only Live Once. It should stand for Your Optimism Lifts Obstacles.
I’ve learned that my job is not to tell students what to think of themselves but to teach them how to think for themselves.
I’ve learned that people can be as unpredictable as New England weather.
I’ve learned that the most dangerous disasters are not hurricanes or tornadoes; they are people who knock others down, leaving a path of careless destruction.
I’ve learned that we could become better humans by observing the way dogs behave--with loyalty, patience, and unconditional love.
I’ve learned that a newborn taking his first breath and an elderly person taking his last breath deserve the same amount of attention.
I’ve learned that no time is ever wasted in my day if I’ve helped to make someone else’s day easier.
I’ve learned that kids try too soon to be adults and adults forget too soon what it was like to be kids.
I’ve learned that we’re all really just trying to figure out why we’re here while we’re here.
Enjoy this beautiful weekend, kiddos!
-Ms. Sanford