Writing From The Heart

| By: Committee for Children

I got to witness one of the best writing celebrations and Valentine celebrations ever this past week. To end a unit of study on letter writing, my son's school celebrated by having secret pals. Each student in the school (K-5) wrote an initial letter about themselves and then that letter was handed out to a secret pal. The students wrote back and forth with their secret pals these past few weeks as the teacher strategically made sure the letter went to the right child. Every child always received one. Parents helped at home by knowing the due dates for each letter.  But if one was forgotten, the teachers helped the child write a quick letter on the spot so that every child always received one on the day of the deliveries.

Each child wrote four letters over the course of a few weeks. The letters shared bits about each student; their favorite likes, what they liked to do, what they looked like. All clues into who they were. The students gave just enough information so as to not to give their identity away. Then, to celebrate Valentine’s Day they were to bring a handmade present (under $5) for their secret pal and reveal themselves. I wondered about this assignment initially. Would the students really be invested in this project? Would they learn? Would they just hurry the night before and make a loom bracelet for the child that took a couple minutes? Parents were encouraged to come to this celebration and so I worked with my schedule to make it there that morning. It was a morning I will never forget.

As I entered the shared space, all the students (K-5) sat around in a circle. The gifts in all shapes and sizes (definitely kid wrapped) sat in the middle on the rug with their own name on them. One child began and brought her gift to her secret pal. The gift was opened and sincere gratitude expressed. It wasn’t just a loom bracelet either. It was a ceramic bowl the student had painted with a Seahawk and his name on it because she knew how much he loved the team. She wanted him to have a “super bowl”. This heartfelt gift giving continued. And the heartfelt gratitude was even as touching. Big hugs and “Oh, thank you! I love it!” rang out in the shared space. The other amazing observation was how all the students who sat around in the circle were just as excited for the others as they were for themselves. This continued until the last present in the middle of the rug was gone. Sure, there was a break for a cookie and recess. But the students came back to the circle after the break and remained engaged.

Through this process not only did they improve their writing, I'm sure as the engagement and motivation was so high, but relationships between students were strengthened, which was easy to observe. It was a beautiful sight to see, from a teacher's perspective, all the children light up as they learned who this person was that was writing to them and then for the gratitude expressed for the gift. From a parent's perspective, it was fun to see my own child so excited about writing but also about giving and being completely thoughtful about what he gave to his secret pal. He made a sketch pad and pen because his secret pal had written that she loved to draw. Once again, these weren't just frivolous gifts. The present my son received was probably the most thoughtful gift he’s ever received. His secret pal, who ended up being a fifth grade girl, created “Maguire's Adventure Game” with everything he had said he liked including his favorite books and movie.

It was truly social and emotional learning taking place in this school that day and LOVE was alive and well, shining through in every student and child. We need more of this in our schools, please!