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Fifth
grader's first Valentine's Day
brings new insight to celebration
By Katrina Blakenship
Fifth grade teacher, Jackson Elementary School
pecial to GwinnettForum.com
LAWRENCEVILLE, Feb. 26 -- Valentine's Day 2002 will
forever stand out for the "Hallmark Moment" that occurred
in my class, where I teach fifth grade. Of my 24 students, one child
was celebrating his first Valentine's Day in the United States.
As a classroom teacher, I encourage my students to remember the
"golden rule" of exchanging cards---"If you bring
a card for one child, then you need to bring a card for everyone
in the class."
The school day started with the traditional, "Is it time to
deliver our Valentines?" Finally 9:15 arrived. Within minutes,
the cards had been delivered, and children were anxiously tearing
through heaps of Valentine wishes.
Imagine my surprise when the following scene unfolded before my
eyes. One of my female students raised her hand and said, "Mrs.
Blankenship,
I don't have a wife." I was perplexed.
Another child spoke, "I'm moving?"
Slowly, the light bulb illuminated! My newest student to America
had distributed cards to his classmates. He brought an assortment
of "Sympathy, Birthday, Get Well, and We'll Miss You"
cards to give to his classmates. Without an understanding of English,
he had no clue what the cards read.
At that moment, I was blessed with divine intervention! I asked
the class to turn their cards over and read what was printed on
the back. Like music to my ears, "Hallmark!" echoed throughout
the room. I had the perfect opportunity to turn this into a real
life lesson!
I shared with the children that their fellow student had, as Hallmark
suggests, "Cared enough to send the very best!" Hallmark
cards were to be cherished by those special enough to receive them.
It was obvious that although the custom was unfamiliar, his Mother
made sure that her son did not come to school empty handed.
Moreover, I was taken aback again when I learned that although
he did not know the language, he painstakingly separated the cards
into two stacks- girls and boys. The girls received cards with flowers
while the boys received cards with animals. The thought behind his
actions was amazing.
Each child in my class learned a valuable lesson. The message on
the card was secondary to the meaning of thoughtfulness. Throughout
the day I heard children thanking this child for their cards. They
absolutely loved them, and he was elated!
One student said it was her best Valentine's Day ever. She was
clueless as to what her card would say, and actually she didn't
care!
The innocence of one, the love of a Mother, and the acceptance
of a classroom of children have captured, what to me, is the true
spirit of caring. As a teacher, I value the teachable moments that
are not presented in a textbook. I am thankful for the lesson that
was learned Valentine's Day 2002.
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Number
1.85, Feb. 26, 2002
