A Lesson For Us All!

I have a favorite book I read with the kids each year around Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday.  The  book, Young Martin Luther King, Jr. "I Have A Dream, is about Martin Luther King Jr's life.  It is written at a level that is developmentally appropriate for young children.  The book tells about how children were not allowed to play together because of the color of their skin.  When we were finished with the book we made a list of what makes a good leader and people they knew that were leaders.  (See our list below.)   Next I ask the children to close their eyes and raise their hand if they thought they could grow up to be a leader.  Approximately half of the children raised their hands.  I ask the children to listen carefully to our list of what makes a good leader and decide if they thought they do OR could do any of the things we listed.  As I read each item listed, I could see the wheels turning in their little heads.  As I continued to read, one by one, their little eyes begin to twinkle at the thought of being a leader!  What happened next touched my heart....a child raised their hand and ask, "How will I know what laws are bad and which ones need to be changed when I become a leader?" It's days like this that no lesson plan can be followed....this is not the discussion that I had envisioned would take place after the book was read...I love these teachable moments!!!  Children are so willing to accept others for who they are...not the color of their skin, the clothes they wear or who they know!!  They greet others with a smile and warm heart!  You have GREAT children and I am happy to be surrounded by little leaders everyday!!

Our Leaders
(Check out our silhouettes in the hallway!)

What Makes A Good Leader?
"Leaders want peace and want to help people."
"Leaders are kind."
"Leaders help you learn."
"Leaders help others make good choices."
"Leaders tell the truth."
"Leaders help make good laws."
"Leaders take care of people that fight and are mean to others.."
"Leaders treat others the way they want to be treated!"