Sorry this post is sort of late I just barely figured out how to do this. Anyway, the other day we returned to Beacon Heights to speak with our kids about the book Three Cups of Tea. I love going to this school for so many reasons but one of this biggest is obviously my buddy, Anthony. Anthony is impressive. I don't know how many people were impressed by their kid but I was seriously taken back by some of the things he was saying for his presentation. After asking what he thought the book's meaning was, and what he thought were the most important ideas, Anthony's responses were fantastic.
Points that I had to dig up in the back of my mind were coming out like crazy! The kid knew exactly what he was talking about. Ideas like realizing what you have in front of you, helping others, etc but also why they are important. I did not even have to explain what the theme meant, he just kept going. Though he was a little anxious to do something else, Anthony wrote down a wonderful presentation and we discussed the book more after that. His main idea in his presentation was knowing that he, his classmates, and basically everyone he knows has more than they need. Others obviously don't have what he and his peers consider basic necessity.
The main thing he and I talked about was education. The children in this book, across the world in third world countries, etc do not have even a little bit of what he has. Anthony fully grasps that he is incredibly fortunate and I found this to be really impressive. Most children would say "School sucks" etc, but he seems to cherish the fact that he is in a great community, with great parents, and will continue to receive great education. I love the fact that he is grateful for what he has at such a young age. So thank you Leslie and Barb, Anthony, and all of the kids. I loved this school, my buddy, and learning with him as well.
-Pete
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My experience from Beacon Hieghts was the same. Even though on Thursday my buddy was not there to present I was amazed by all the presentations. As I sat back and listened I was supprised about how well thought out some of their ideas were and how they could present them. I think it is crazy how mature in education they are. I did not expect to come across such smart and well engaged students. I always liked the idea of maybe becoming a math or science teacher and this gave me an insight as to how it could be. I enjoyed Beacon Heights and I was glad to be able to help out.
ReplyDeleteI to had a similar experience to Pete and Hunter. My little buddy was named Sarah and I was very impressed as well. During my senior year I taught science to second graders and I had friends teaching fourth graders, from what I heard fourth graders were little demons that didn't know how to listen. However my experience was much different, Sarah was attentive and interested in the book, we talked about the major themes and her favorite parts and she had answers very quickly. I was also very impressed with her ability to listen to what I was saying and also just in her ability to conversate. It was very easy for us to get off topic and just start shootin the crap because she was so easy to talk to. Probably the most suprising part of the entire trip was seeng how well some of the kids could speak publically, and talk in front of their peers without hesitation. Overall I was very impressed with these kids and their abilities to read, comprehend and discuss.
ReplyDeletePete I had a similar experience, after meeting Susannah, my buddy, I figured I had better read the Greg Mortenson book because I knew she would and I wasn't about to be unprepared. I read and really enjoyed the book, and unfortunately I Susannah wasn't in class on our second trip but I got the opportunity to talk to two new buddies who had both read the book and were really insightful, pointing to their favorite parts and had no problem identifying the main theme and recognizing what they should do. I was very impressed with all of my buddies as well.
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