A LESSON IN COURAGE Inspiration Comes in Many Sizes Before the pandemic, Lower Schooler Owen Palmer created a book as part of a Sky Class project. Each student not only wrote a book, but also drew their own illustrations and folded the paper together to create a bound copy, complete with a cover. Inspired by a recent visit from the author Matt De La Peña, who shared with the children his latest book, Love, teacher Natasha Shannon invited students to make their own book about love or about another emotion. Owen chose courage. Owen’s mother Rebecca recently found the book, which has taken on a whole new significance after our shared challenges of the past year. Now in Fountain Class (the name for the cohorts of third and fourth grade students typically in Forest and Mountain Classes), Owen shares the following reflection, “Courage then for me was playing with a new friend. I think it takes courage to always try your best, even when you lose. It takes courage to not be a sore loser. Here are some ways I get courage: friends, family, support, directions from my teachers, relaxation, to practice and just try something.” In addition to being the author of Courage, transcribed below, Owen also loves soccer.
Courage, by Owen Palmer To Mom, Dad, and Wyatt Courage is being in the forest alone. Courage is climbing a 50 feet rock wall. Courage is diving. Courage is saying “stop.” Courage is on stage. Courage is playing with a new kid. Courage is doing a test. Courage is something hard for you and you do it.
We & Thee | Winter 2021
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