Cool Kind Kid – Sept 2014
As the kids came into class, Ms. Gilmour asked each how his or her summer was. Everyone wanted to talk at once. She laughed as she saw how excited they were to tell her about their summers. They spent the first part of class sharing the fun things they did.
Ms. Gilmour then said, “It seems that each of you had some fun times. That is great. Hopefully you remembered the ‘Cool Kind Kid Challenge’ wherever you went.” Again, the kids all wanted to share how they had encouraged other kids to get on board and become ‘Cool Kind Kid Challengers.’
Ms. Gilmour looked around the room as each child quieted down.
She said, “I know you aren’t excited about this, but now it’s time to go back to school.”
Everyone groaned and said they weren’t ready for summer to be over.
“Before we talked about camp and other summer fun challenges, we were talking about all the places where we need to be ‘Cool Kind Kid Challengers’ in school. Who remembers what those places were?” asked Ms. Gilmour.
Truman the Dragon spoke up and said, “We talked about the classroom and found so many other places to mention, like the lockers, the bathroom and the playground.”
Nicole jumped in, saying, “We talked about the playground and ball fields.”
Carmen added, “And, don’t forget the cafeteria.”
Tanner remembered, “Truman wanted to make a ton of posters, all showing how to act in the classroom to be ‘Cool Kind Kids.’ We also talked about showing respect to our teachers, classmates and the flag in our classroom.”
Ms. Gilmour said, “You have thought of many ways to be ‘Cool Kind Kid Challengers’ in school. Let’s focus on the gym and lockers now, and see what you want on your posters for those places.”
Carmen was first to say, “It isn’t cool to make fun of someone when they can’t play a game as well as others.”
Nicole added, “And don’t tease kids about how they look in their gym uniform.” Everyone agreed that was a good one.
Rudy mentioned, “Being rude in the locker room isn’t cool either. Why can’t everyone just be kind and nice?”
Stephen thought about that and added, “Maybe some kids don’t know any other way to act.”
Truman the Dragon said, “So we can help them learn how to be ‘Cool Kind Kids.” Everyone highfived Truman.
Rudy laughed at Truman and said, “You always know how to be kind to others. Do they teach that in dragon school?” The kids all laughed.
Ms. Gilmour asked, “What about the cafeteria? What ‘Cool Kind Kid Challenges’ are there?”
Nicole said, “It isn’t cool to exclude someone from sitting with you.”
Tanner said, “NO FOOD FIGHTS!”
Ms. Gilmour then asked, “What are you showing when you have food fights?”
“No respect!” said all the kids.
“Are you seeing that respect is important in all areas of your school?” asked Ms. Gilmour. Everyone agreed that it was very important.