One more time a tragedy has hit our nations schools. The shooting of 5 students by A young boy who had been bullied makes every mother’s heart break for the loss.
This is a tragedy of major proportions…for the children who were shot, for the child who will not see the light of another day on Earth, and for the student who saw this as the only means of expression.
My heart cries out, “Could this tragedy have been prevented?”
We need to get to the root of issue. Bullying is not an isolated incident! It doesn’t happen one time and cause this kind of a reaction.
Up until now, I said that, ‘Breaking Out of the World Game’ (our anti-bullying program) is an intervention program. Maybe our intervention program needs to be called a prevention program and taught as part of the required curriculum in every school.
Let me say this in another way. Is it time to make an anti-bullying program a prerequisite in every school? If we have come to this, let’s admit it and take a stand as parents and concerned community members. Let’s not lose one more child to our paralysis. Let us act on behalf of every family in America.
It starts with the little abrasive things that we do and say to each other and builds up on daily. If not curbed it turns into teasing and taunting and mental and emotional abuse.
We cannot turn our backs any longer. It is you and I as adults who are on trial here.
I am asking for other voices… your voice to join the call. This is dedicated to our children and our children’s children that they may grow up to live a full life.
My prayers go out to the mother’s and families involved. But are we not all involved? Are we not of this nation and this world? Let the sacrifices stop. For every sacrifice belongs to us if we do not take a stand.
My deepest apologies to all of you parents and teachers who were with me for those two wonderful evening events in Melbourne. That you all came out to discuss the issues we are addressing for your children and for the three schools involved was inspiring. Parents are often tired after a full day of work and though that might have been the case with you, all of you showed up and stayed for the full evening.
I apologize for not getting these
slides up on the site for you earlier, but I have had a personal emergency with my mother.
Again, THANK YOU for your support of our children and the welfare of our world’s future.
Most of us as educators are aware of the power of stories to teach life lessons.
People have always handed down the traditions and teachings of their cultures through stories.
I have found that the power of the heros’ tale transcends age and time. Students are transfixed when I share Lovell’s story or tell them how my friend Lanson Kupau rose out of the depths of poverty to become a lawyer and a judge.
But my question today is whether or not you are using the power of stories to the fullest extent with our students. If you are, that’s great!
Here are a few tips to increase your story-power and make your stories come to life in the minds and hearts of your students:
- Make it Simple - Know your audience and target the outcome you want from the story. At each step along the way ask yourself, “What’s the point?” Then make sure that you are getting your point across.
- Make it Concrete - Use sensory images, facial expressions, and clear descriptions to bring the story to life. Don’t tell about it. Involve the audience in the events and action. Through sensory rich images that include visual, auditory, and olfactory sensations engage the audience in what the main character is experiencing.
- Make it Emotional - We are feeling beings. Emotions move people to action. Communicate the feelings of the hero through body language, facial expression, vocal tone and pacing. Bring the audience with you so they feel what the main character(s) is feeling.
- Wrap With a High - End with the great victory or victories that the hero experienced and the lessons gained along the way.
Finally, link the story to an open discussion. Ask the class to write a list of the lessons they gained from the story. This can be done either with the whole class, in a team or individually. Then discuss the lessons that can be learned with everyone!
People have always handed down the traditions and teachings of their cultures through stories.
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