Mrs. Gault's Class : Buddy Bench and Wonder Celebration

The day was amazing, perfect, and a wonderful example of just how hard our fourth graders have worked these past 9 weeks to make it all happen. We started in August reading the book Wonder by RJ Palacio and making kindness bracelets and a banner to remind each other what the word "kindness" means. Throughout the 9 weeks students have come in each morning asking when we were going to read Wonder and wondering what would happen in the book that day. When we finally finished the book yesterday I can honestly say the kids were all upset because they wanted it to keep going. This book has taught us far more than to be kind, it has taught us how to treat each other, how to love someone despite their differences, and most of all how to believe in yourself no matter what life may throw at you.
Students have participated in many different activities throughout this bullying unit including creating kindness meters, learning the different types of bullying, practicing random acts of kindness, learning to pay it forward, writing letters to the 2nd graders answering questions on bullying, writing questions to the BSMS students about bullying, and the most recent one-creating a "buddy bench" for students to go to when they are feeling lonely or left out.
I am so proud of each and every 4th grader that made yesterday possible, if anything I hope that this PBL unit has taught everyone to be kind, even when you think it isn't necessary.
Here is a NEW wonder from RJ Palacio:
“Be the wonder you want in the world.”

Here is the video and pictures of yesterday...thank you all who went out of your way to make this day possible!

http://youtu.be/1faqcSwSPKg

Click this link above to see the video.

We celebrated Auggie's birthday with cupcakes and drinks..thank you to all the volunteers who sent in these special treats!

A few of our presenters..these kids did WONDERFUL! A special thank you to Mrs. Dardeau for helping make this speech possible!

A few of our lovely chorus members...these students sang beautifully and thank you to Mrs. McCraw for getting this together in such short notice!

The final picture of the famous buddy bench. Thank you to Mr. Carroll for building this and taking the time to allow the students to help you build it. Also, thank you to Mr. Craycraft for staying each day to help paint the bench and supervising the students while they placed their fingerprints on it.

A few Gifted Art students painting the letters for the buddy bench..a special thank you for Mrs. Harvey for drawing these letters and allowing us to use your TALENTED students!