The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. I was walking the kindergarten class I had been assigned to for the day to lunch. I was carefully carrying the letter we had just written together, for our custodian team- in honor of Custodian Appreciation Day. We had brainstormed just the right words and even practiced hearing some of the sounds and forming some of the letters together.
As we turned the corner, I saw Mr. Al, our head custodian coming our way. “Kindergarteners!” I cried. “It’s Mr. Al!” Their faces lit up as I held the letter up for Mr. Al to read.
“Look at his face,” I coached the kids. “Smile big,” I whispered to Mr. Al.
“Look how happy you made Mr. Al!”
“You made my day,” he replied.
And we had shown those kindergarteners, in the fifth week of school, the gift that their words can be for others.
Where There Is Joy 
Again, this story, I heard orally, is somehow more powerful written here. I can picture the scene and Al’s face as he smiles big for his audience of kindergarteners! Love it!
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I love this slice and your ensuring that these young writers understand “the gift that their words can be for others.” What a powerful lesson for everyone involved!
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Your slice perfectly shows WHY we write!! Thanks for sharing. Lucky kids!
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You gave them a transformative gift by teaching them how to craft writing that makes people happy. WONDERFUL!
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What better lesson could there be!
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I can picture this scene perfectly and all the smiling faces!
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Great moment and great writing by everyone, the kindergarteners and you. At first I was wondering why you had to coach Mr. Al to smile. Then I understood. Your lesson hadn’t “closed” until you delivered the message.
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He naturally smiled but I wanted it to be crystal clear…so I coached him to smile bigger. 🤣
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