Saturday, March 8, 2008

Friday, February 29, 2008

A Kinder World

A Kinder World
By Tia, Bekah
2/22/2008
Is it possible to have a peaceful world? What would happen if everyone were tolerant of differences in opinions, practices, nationality, culture, personalities, and anything that makes us different from each other? Disagreements, fights, and wars are caused by people who do not respect the differences in others. Intolerance divides groups and tolerance brings them together.

Tolerance is not just agreeing with each other, but it is understanding others point of view. Tolerance is a way to show kindness and understanding to everyone no matter how they are different from you. It means that you have respect for people's differences. A long time ago, this usually meant that people tolerated ethnic and religious differences. Now, when people talk about tolerance it can include gender, physical or mental disabilities, or anything else that makes someone different from you. When you show tolerance it does not mean you give up your own customs, heritage, or beliefs.

It is important to try to learn from others and try to put yourself in their place. Communication between people who are different is important. If one group has harmed another there may be bad feelings and resentment. This is the time to ask and show forgiveness. Showing tolerance does not mean that all behavior should be accepted, like being unkind or doing things that are hurtful to people.

Most kids learn tolerance from their parents. Kids develop values mostly by the example their parents set for them. When parents show tolerance and kindness, their children usually do the same.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Kindness in the Community

A community is made up of different groups of people who live and work together. The community has rules and laws that people must follow and the people work together to solve their problems. Within the bigger community, are smaller communities such as your home and your school. A kind word, a friendly smile, or a kind act for someone can make a better community. In a community there are neighbors, community helpers, and leaders. People live and work together in a community. One small act of kindness in your community every day can make a difference.

It is important for people who live in a community to take care of each other. Helping each other out when things are difficult makes a strong community. People who live and work together must get along. When people who live in a neighbor do not get along, there can be problems. Many times there is crime because people have differences. Neighbors can make a community a special place to live when they are considerate of each other.

In a community, a group of people work together to make a better place for everyone. Kindness should be a natural action exercised by the people in their daily routine and in all situations. However, for people to be gentile, or kind, it is necessary to learn to love they neighbor as thyself. Only if that happens can the world be transformed into a better place to live.

The world is our community.

Faça uma pessoa feliz, doe o que você tem a quem precisa.
Make a person be happy , donate what you have to someone in need

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Kindness in the School

By Amy L.
What do you think would happen if there was a spirit of kindness in every school in the world? There would be no more stories of school shootings, of bullying, of people who are mistreated. Everyone would feel safe and welcome when they walk through the school doors.

The school can be a place where daily acts of kindness are a normal part of the day. The attitudes of people in a school can be changed. It can start by making a simple classroom rule such as "If it's not nice, don't say it. If it's not kind, don't do it." When a few people start talking about kindness and being thoughtful, respectful, and considerate it can make other students stop and think. The message of kindness can spread.

Kindness in the school means pride within the school. Pride and respect are connected. Both keep people from doing bad things. When people are kind they are showing respect for themselves and for others. In school it is important to treat others with kindness and respect. This can change the attitude of the entire school because when one person is nice to another kindness seems to spread.

School is a place where many different cultures, religions, and personalities are thrown together, but kindness can bring people together. When students learn about and practice kindness every day, the idea of kindness becomes more than just a thought, it becomes an action. Once it becomes an action it becomes a part of the person and it will be easier and easier to be kind.

Stir up some kindness in your school.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

What About Bullies?

Do you know someone who is a bully? What is a bully, anyway? It is someone who will purposely try to hurt you in a way that may make you feel uncomfortable and may hurt you mentally or physically. Bullies like to gain control over other people and they will do almost anything to make sure they get it. Bullying happens everywhere and it can happen at any age.

Here are some ways to know if someone is a bully. They

hit, kick, push, or threaten other people.
steal things and hide them, or ruin another person's things.
make someone do things they don't want to do.
call people names.
tease people.
insult people.
refuse to talk to someone.
spread rumors about people.

Bullying is bad for everyone. People who are bullied may not want to go places, especially school. The bully usually picks friends who are also bullies, or those who think it is okay to bully. Some may be scared of the bully and afraid of what will happen if they are not the bully's friend. Bullies usually bother people who they think won't take up for themselves. So, what can you do?

Try not to stay away from places you know the bully likes to go.
Try to be in a wide open area where everyone can see you.
Try not to get upset around a bully.
Tell a grown up if you are being bullied.

Have you ever been bullied? How did it make you feel? What did you do about it?

Friday, January 11, 2008

Celebrate Kindness Day

Celebrate Kindness Day was held at W.B.E.S. Tuesday, January 8th. Everyone got on the stage and peformed their skits, commercials, songs they wrote, and the newspaper people gave out the Kindness News. We, the Kindness Kids, did the cheer and the rap. Our school is stirred up about kindness and it the message is spreading fast. We also shared our message with the ADK ladies at their meeting on Wednesday. They asked good questions about our project and we were able to talk to them about everything we are doing to build a website about kindness.

Every 3rd and 4th grader in the school has been learning about kindness. Share what have you learned about kindness.