My visit to Wakeland Elementary School
Meet Dr. Rushton's first grade class
What a group of wonderful children!
These kids are very close to my heart because I was lucky to spend several months with them during my final internship as a student teacher. When I left them in December it was an emotional moment for all of us but it was soon followed by an exciting reunion when I came back to visit and introduce them to the Snoogis! The kids welcomed me with open arms and lots of hugs.
They were surprised to learn that they would be part of the adventure and were at first a little skeptical when I told them that they would be listening to a story without any pictures! But when I showed them how easily they could unlock their own imagination and how with a little fantasy they could bring alive the story and see the pictures in their own minds…. what fun we had! Every student was fully engaged, the characters really came to life and the kids were united in a moment of meaningful imagination!
I was happy to see how easily the students picked up the hidden message of the story that to be successful at anything:
1. First you need a goal (Hans wanted to become the fastest horse in the world and become a Snoogi)
2. Ask for help (Hans was lucky to have a great coach in Mr. Floyd)
3. Be prepared for difficulties, distractions, obstacles or disappointments (The monkeys succeeded in distracting Hans by taking his focus away from his goal)
4. Don’t fall for the easy way out or the “fast fix” (Stick the magic cat promised a quick solution to Han’s problem with her funny but unreliable magic spell)
5. Remember your goal and work towards a real solution (With the help of the Snoogi president, the child listening, Hans learns that it takes hard work and discipline to reach his goal and be successful)
6. Celebrate your success! (All of Han’s friends were proud of him and celebrated with him his success)