"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." --Dr. Seuss
My daughter's class recently held their presidential elections. This could easily have become just another popularity contest. But my daughter's teacher had what I consider to be a stroke of genius...
Each interested candidate wrote their "speech" out on a piece of paper. The teacher then read each aloud to the class. Anonymously. The children put their heads down and listened to the words, the ideas. Rather than projecting an image of the president onto a fellow classmate or drawing conclusions based upon looks, past experiences or preconceived assumptions. How liberating to be free of all of the clutter associated with appearances and labels and identities! Just to listen to the words in that very moment. And for the candidates to be free to speak them - without the tethers of party, class, gender or color.
My daughter wrote from the heart. Her authenticity rang clear in her words. Even when someone else spoke them.
What might happen if we conducted all of our elections in such a way? Who might have been elected? Who might not have been?
Definitely makes me rather curious! What do you think?
Hint: We would definitely have had a female president by now!
How do our teachers come up with such great ideas! Was this in German or English?
ReplyDeleteGood day, Alissa.
ReplyDeleteThis was during English week last week. Not sure if every class is holding the same form of elections or not, but I believe that all of Ms. Steimle's probably will. I am so grateful to have such passionate, creative teachers as role models for our children. Perhaps we'll grow some leaders to help evolve our local and national governments:)