Smiles Guarenteed

Do you have a go-to smile button? You know, something that is guaranteed to make you smile no matter what kind of mood you are in?

I found my smile buttons. All 140 of them. I thought I'd share three with you.

"He" by Vicky

I am telling their stories. They are stories of my students, stories that they write merely because it is a homework assignment. They have no idea how much their stories can touch the hearts of others. Even if they did, they have no venue to do so, to share.

On behalf of my students, I share this with you so that your heart can be touched, and a story can live on.

The assignment is this: 

'Like a tree, some people simply take root in our lives and never let go.' 

Write 12 or more sentences about a person in your life who will never 'let go.' Why do they mean so much to you? If they are kind, how do they show their kindness to you? If they are loving, in what ways do they show love?"

"Maybe this story have a little sad, but it is true. He--'like a tree simply take root in my heart and never let go.' He was my neighbor and we are the best friends! Though I was 5 years old than him but we played together until "that day". He had an accident. We were all worried about him. One night I dreamed him! In my dream, he didn't talk to me, only looked at me and smiled. When I waked up, my mother cried and said to me "He...passed away...". I was so sad and cried with my mom. I never believed I lost him. But to everybody's surprised, his parents agreed to donate their son's corneas to a two-year-old girl who had eyes disease. His parents said to the reporter "my son always help other at school. I think he must agree that we make this decision. And... I want to let my son can also see the beautiful world.

'Help others until the end of life.' A 15 year old boy leaves me this lesson. I will always help others like him. Just like the angel in heaven..."

Innie or Outie?

Have you recently been wondering about whether or not your outer appearance is more important than your internal appearance? I thought you were. If you’re ever in doubt, ask this question to a second language learner. Or, better yet, ask any question to a second language learner.They’ll grace you with some words of wisdom. In regards to outie appearance verses innie appearance I'll just let my students do the talking...

"We dress ourselves everyday at the same time we should dress up our heart and keep a good mood everyday." -Lourine

"Don’t let the bright appearance of your eyes covered. Open your heart window with knowledge. With the talent to open up your brilliant path to life."  -Veronica

 

"Although a clothes can make you energetic and good looking, it’s not reality. A long time later, your personality can decide your destiny." -Allen

"When the early man invented clothes, he probably wanted to keep warm. But I like to look beautiful sometimes." -Olivia

"There is no doubt that the out-looking is very important for me. I am sure that I must be a handsome boy forever!" -Colby 

Heart Strings

I have a degree in music education. I have a TEFL certificate. Within a matter of years I will be certified to be a k-12 school counselor. I can teach music, teach english, and counsel. There is no reason why I shouldn't have a job somewhere in some school system. Yet, when I think about my life the thought of teaching in a school is slightly appalling. Sorry--the vision of me doing so just isn't there. Nothing about me has ever been easy, it's never been simple. Why would obtaining a degree and getting a job be any different?

With all these certifications, with all these different outlets, there is still a type of student that takes the prize.

Students with developmental disabilities have a natural capability to break me. During the fall of 2010 we had to observe some music classrooms for a class I was taking. My group was assigned to a local elementary school at which we observed a stellar music teacher with various classes. One of these classes was a special needs class. Eight students, seven adults. At the end of class we played a Bugaboo dance game and we [as the observers] were able to dance with them.

I honestly can't give you any more details about the observation, simply because I can't remember them. What do I remember? Dancing. Twirling. Giggling.

The video below sparked my memory. Then I decided to share.