November 9, 2010

Respect

Written by: Helen Ramondos, CITC Reading Teacher, Lake Hood Elementary

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Eleanor Roosevelt (Former First Lady)

When I was a child, my parents regularly admonished me to “respect others”. I grew to see the wisdom in their ways and always sought their counsel. They seemed so knowledgeable, as people in the community valued and respected them because they treated others equally. I now realize that what I have come to value in myself, I became because of my father and my mother.

As a teacher, I felt the need for my students to understand the concept of respect and evaluate their own beliefs regarding it. I wanted them to identify respectful behaviors and how the impact of their behaviors affected others. One of my lessons on respect was where my students’ would have a “Pair-Share” exchange. Each student would fill out a worksheet on sentence starters such as “The person I respect most is __; My parents taught me to respect ___; I demonstrate respect for my heritage when I ___; Respect means__; I show respect by__. The class would then be divided into pairs and share with the whole class the ideas they generated. The class discussions involved all to understand not only their own beliefs on respect, but others, as well.

The following are some of my students’ verbatim responses on “Respect”:

Respect is being kind.

Respect is listening to my teacher.

Respect is not to talk back to my parents or teachers.

Respect is to be polite and nice to my family and friends.

Respect is obeying my mommy and daddy and papa and gramma.

Respect means being good.

Respect means listen. I listen because I love my mom and I love baby Anthony.

Respect means be kind and be a good listener.

Respect means help others and be nice to them and be kind. Help teach them things they don’t know. Be respectful to them.

Respect means to listen to the teachers and the parents.

Respect means that you have to respect others and that you have to be nice to them. Respect your teachers and anyone in your classroom or at your house. You have to be nice to everyone even your brother and your sister and mom and dad and gramma and papa.

Respect means being good, liking people, not being mean, and be good. I talk like I am smart and good and I like myself and that is what respect means.

I show respect to my elders by listening to them and helping them babysit, also cleaning up and helping them with their stuff.

I show respect to my elders by listening to them. I like my grandpa and when I have company.

I show respect to my dad to be good and behave.

I show respect to my grandma and I show respect to others. I treat them nice and I treat my sister nice when she does that back to me. I even help my mom and dad.

I show respect to my elders by helping them walk by holding their hand, going to my grandma’s house to keep them company, listening to my grandma, and helping make my bed.

Respect means I help my Nana Sheila and Grandpa Bill clear off the table.

Respect means don’t talk when somebody else is. No kicking or hitting. Raise your hand instead of shouting.

I show respect to my grandma by finding her glasses.

I show respect to my grandma by cleaning up.

Respect means I’m being kind. I help others.

I have listed some books on respect that I have used in my classroom over the years,

and a brief synopsis on what they are about.

Morning on the Lake by J.B. Waboose—This is a story about how a Native American child and her grandmother spent the day in the wilderness. It promotes the familial love and respect for all living things that share the universe. A great book for all kids and adults too!

Summer of the Swans by B. Byars—A fictional story of a teenage girl who gains new insight and respect into herself and her family when her mentally handicapped brother gets lost. Intermediate

A Sign of the Beaver by E. Speare---A Newbery Honor fictional story of a boy named Matt, who ends up alone in the wilderness while his father returns south to get the rest of the family. He is faced with many challenges and meets a North American chief and his grandson who teaches them survival skills. A great book on respect and appreciation of another culture. Intermediate and older.

A Man Called Raven by Richard Van Camp---A Pacific Northwest folklore that teaches respect for life, both human and animal. Primary.

Anna’s Athabascan Summer by Arnold Griese---The book shows the intergenerational relationship of an Athabascan girl and her grandmother’s travels to a fish camp in interior Alaska. It includes traditional teaching by grandmother and respect and spirituality shown to salmon, the raven and other aspects of nature. A great self-image for children. Primary.

Wish by Roseanne Thong---The book shows respect for traditions around the world. Each custom provides insights into the cultures of lands far and near while reminding us of the similarities we all share. Primary to intermediate grades.

Wisdom Tales From Around The World by Heather Forest---A collection of 27 folktales from around the world with respect for diverse traditions. A great read aloud. Ideal for young adults.

Knots on a Counting Rope by B. Martin---A Native American grandfather tells a blind boy the inspirational story of a child’s birth. The counting rope is a metaphor for the passage of time and for a boy’s emerging confidence facing his physical handicap. A rich tale of intergenerational love and respect. Primary

It is in our own interest that we give others their due respect. It is a win-win situation.

“When I approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments: Tenderness for what he is, and respect for what he may become”. Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) French Scientist