Operation Respect

Today for Maria Dismondy's Make A Difference Monthly

we're talking about courage, and

here's what I'm wondering:

How much courage

must it take to say the words

Don't laugh at me...

out loud!

Thursday night at the Forum, we were treated

to a legendary performance and benefit concert by

Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary.

And though singing If I Had A Hammer

along with him (can you believe some of the crowd was too young to know the words!)

was pretty powerful, this song from the book above

(and available at Operation Respect)

really struck a chord with me.

As he launched us into our evening, Peter added different words
to the chorus the second time through:

Please smile at me.
Please be my friend.
Please accept me, just as I am.
There is no out, there is no in;
Someday we'll all have perfect wings.
Be kind to me. . .

. . . and it made me want to encourage my students
to write the next verse. I wonder what they'd imagine it sounding like.

Click {here} for other lesson ideas that target courage!
Then go to Maria's blog and link up your courageous lessons.

3 comments

Learning with Mrs. ParkerNovember 3, 2012 at 7:50 AM
I love Don't Laugh At Me. I use it every year and usually shed a tear or two as I discuss the topic of name calling, accepting our differences, etc.
~Stephanie November 3, 2012 at 10:23 AM
I have never seen that book before. I must get it...especially for my own daughter. As she is getting older (now in kinder!) I find it more and more important for us to talk about these types of issues...peer relations can be so tough for the little ones and finding your footing, as well as standing up for yourself, is so hard.

~Stephanie
Teaching in Room 6
BarbaraNovember 4, 2012 at 12:12 AM
From the age of two until six my youngest son was always saying " don't laugh at me". We worried he didn't have a sense of humor but now he's one of the funniest people we know. I'll have to check out that book.