There is a great poem by Robert Fulghum called "All I Ever Really Needed to Know, I learned in Kindergarten." I find it to be very true - so many important life skills are learned in Kindergarten and elementary school. I get so frustrated when I see news stories about adults who lie and cheat... call each other names. I spend my life trying to teach 10 year olds not to do the same thing adults get into trouble for every day. With much the same view, the poem ends by suggesting that the world would be a better place if we remembered that, "when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together."
During summer school, we are very lucky to get to take 3 to 4 field trips a week. It is so wonderful for our kids who come from poverty to experience so many things. There is something absolutely amazing about watching children who were born in a refugee camp ice skate for the first time. Kids who don't get to go there all the time, revel in the joy that can be found in a trip to the zoo. It is incredible to watch children discover the world.
But, one of my favorite parts of the field trips are that when we "go out into the world" all of my newcomers innately realize that it is "best to hold hands and stick together." I occasionally get some odd looks, as I lead 13 kids (all in matching T-shirts) though some public place while 4 or 5 of them are holding my hands. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. This is a wonderful way to experience life - though the eyes of children.
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