“A poem, folded small”

Last week at Swift, we talked about gifts. Students discussed gifts they have received, such as video games, baby dolls, pets, family, and being in the world. And then talked about gifts they would like to give such as big family hugs, makeup for Mom, clothes for dad, raises and bonuses for teachers, and kindness. We watched a video of poet Janet S. Wong, who read a few pages from one of her books, and talked about gift-giving. She said that she wanted to share the message with kids that the best gifts are not always the most expensive store-bought gifts, that “maybe the best present may be a poem, folded small….” Students brainstormed about gift-giving, and I read from Janet S. Wong’s encouraging book, You Have to Write.