Flowers and Chocolate

As much as I complain about my high school students and their lack of motivation, attention, effort, and respect, there are a handful that, while they do not have an excess of those qualities, make up for it with kindness and creativity.

Every day, students are trying to give me things.

• Pieces of art from art class
• Holiday decorations (like paper pilgrims for Thanksgiving or potato turkeys)
• Origami flowers
• Quick doodles or drawings on notebook paper (or my white boards)
• High fives
• Hugs ...

The list could go on and on.

Many days, I feel like a new parent, graciously accepting all of the paper creations from my "kids" and assuring them that I'll proudly display them on my desk or at home.

"Really?" They ask, disbelieving. "You'll really hang it on your refrigerator?"

Of course I will ... Why not?

It's funny to me how, sometimes, it really is the simple things that make the most difference. Maybe these kids aren't learning science during each and every lesson. Maybe they are bored and they wish that they were anywhere but in my classroom ... But that least they know that I care. At least those few gift-givers can go home and tell their parents, or friends, or maybe just their diary, that someone made them feel like they were important, that whatever they had to give was valuable.

It may not be a traditional gift of flowers or chocolate, but it's something ... And I see that. I only hope that, as the year progresses, these"gifts" remain and new ones (such as those in-class attributes) follow.