Home › Resources ›
MAXIMize the Moment Junior Volume 2, Issue 17

MAXIMize the Moment Junior Volume 2, Issue 17

January 17, 2003
Document
Topic: 
MAXIMize the Moment Junior
Age Range: 
8-10

Story

Mrs. Waverly is the best teacher. She makes class fun and never talks down to us. She seems really tired today. Maybe it's the fact that we've all been so rowdy since we got back from break. As the day goes on, Mrs. Waverly seems more and more frustrated. Finally, she stops group work and has us do individual seatwork just so she can have "a few minutes of quiet."

When I go up and ask her a question about the assignment, she totally blows up at me. She yells at me in front of everyone and totally embarrasses me. I can hardly believe it.

That night, I tell my mom what happened and how upset I am: "Mrs. Waverly is the meanest teacher ever. All year, she pretended to be nice, but it was all a lie. I hate her!"

"I'm sorry that you had such a bad day, sweetheart. It sounds like Mrs. Waverly lost her temper and took it out on you. That wasn't fair of her, but I doubt she meant to do it. Mrs. Waverly is a wonderful teacher, but 'Nobody's perfect.' Try and give her a little slack this time. Maybe she'll realize that she hurt your feelings and apologize tomorrow. If not, I think you should tell her how you feel."

I'm still angry and want to hate Mrs. Waverly. But then I remember all of the good things about her and can't stay too mad. She's a great teacher, but she's only human. Like my mom said, "Nobody's perfect." Not even Mrs. Waverly. Even though she hurt me, I am going to try to forgive her-just like she gives me another chance after I mess up. Today was an awful day, but I did learn one important thing: "Nobody's perfect"-not even me.

This week's maxim is "Nobody's perfect." 

Teacher Information

Maxim

  • "Nobody's perfect."
    Unknown

Featured character trait

  • Forgiveness - I acknowledge and try to work through the faults and wrongdoings of others; I realize that all people have imperfections, and am able to love them anyway.

Character points (for substitution if this week's trait isn't one of your school's core values)

  • Understanding - I work to see situations from others' points of view and try to think about the many different parts of a problem.
    Mercy - I recognize that all people are imperfect; I try to help others through their faults, rather than judging them.
    Peace - I try to understand; I work to improve situations, rather than making conflicts worse.
    Reconciliation - I am willing to work at my relationships; I see struggles as opportunities to make relationships stronger.

Discussion starters / journal writing prompts

  • What are some other situations this week's maxim could apply to?
  • Does the narrator have a right to be upset with Mrs. Waverly?
  • How should Mrs. Waverly address the situation? What sort of explanation or apology does the narrator have a right to expect?
  • What is a role model? Do role models need to be perfect? Does someone have to be perfect to be a good role model?
  • Should Mrs. Waverly still be considered a good role model?
  • Let's assume Mrs. Waverly was a great teacher who happened to be having a very bad day. Could she have acted differently and avoided this situation altogether?
  • How do you feel when teachers let you know that they are having a difficult day? How do you react to those teachers?

Related Links

Extending the Conversation

Talk about the idea of role models. Have each student identify his or her hero and explain their choices. Hold a discussion about what makes someone a good hero and what doesn't. Have students write essays, find pictures, create web pages, and/or do an oral presentation as their hero. Be sure that students address the character traits that make their heroes good role models.