Earlier this year, my class watched the movie Wonder. In this movie, a boy with facial deformities steps into a classroom for the first time. Sadly, many kids make fun of him, and this discourages him. Just when he feels like giving up, a couple of classmates go out of their way to be kind to him, and he eventually becomes one of the most popular kids in his school.
His teacher summarizes the movie well by saying, “Be kind because everybody is fighting a hard battle.”
Hello! My name is Eila, and I am honored to serve in Nebraska’s Kid Governor’s Cabinet. My platform is built on treating one another with kindness and respect. Just like the movie, I sometimes see people treated badly, and I have also personally experienced being made fun of by other kids.
Words have a lot of power. I want to make sure they are used to encourage others, rather than tear people down.
My campaign slogan is: The Golden Rule for the Goldenrod State! What is the Golden Rule? “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” This rule means to be kind and act kindly, not just knowing how to be kind. The rule also means being kind to everybody, not just to people you like. And it means learning to listen to what others are saying.
My three-point platform is:
(1) Build a Kindness Wall. Put up posters or set up a Kindness Wall in your classroom as a constant reminder to treat others the way we want to be treated. The Kindness Wall will be available for classmates and teachers to share kind words and actions with one another.
(2) No One Left Out. Who likes being excluded? Include everyone in everything you can. Have a positive attitude when including people in your game, project, or lunch. Make sure you remember to smile and have a good attitude.
(3) Host a Uniqueness Day. Let’s celebrate our different talents and interests! While celebrating everyone’s uniqueness, remember to be joyful and kind. Since everyone’s different, what an opportunity to learn more about one another.
So, all fifth graders in Nebraska: choose kindness over criticism as we all follow the Golden Rule. Leave a comment with the ways you and your class are spreading kindness!
A final quote from Wonder: “When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.”