Elementary school – discovery

Self and Society: young English Language Learners making connections through writing

In September, my evening class (intermediate primary students) had several discussions about citizenship and personal responsibility. The purpose of our class is to learn new vocabulary words, but I try to make it a meaningful class by incorporating articles, discussion, and writing about topics or themes prompted by the words we study. One such essay topic was, “What does it mean for you to be an appropriate citizen?” My students are English Language Learners who have been here a few years longer than my afternoon classes, so our conversations are less about what Canadian culture is all about and more about how to balance our heritage culture with Vancouver culture.

Anyway, here is the conclusion of the essay that my top student wrote:

“We can all contribute to our community, to work together and contribute to our collective well- being. Our environment should be safe and pleasant to live in. Being an appropriate citizen reinforces a sense of safe harmony in the community. Not only can we set examples for our schoolmates, but we can also look to examples in our friends and families. Being a good citizen is all about being part of a community after all!”

reliability

It always strikes me funny that my father brings up people who were part of my childhood, and asks me how they are doing as if they are all still in my life. Even though I have amazing people in my life who have been there every step of my degree, my parents still remember the kids I grew up with in elementary school better than the names of those important people in my life now. I am not sure why. Perhaps it is because I let them be more involved in my life back then, and now they don’t know the people who I care about. This is definitely a sign that I should spend more time with them and introduce my friends to them– I shall add that to my new year’s resolution.

Childhood friendships were a lot more innocent and simpler. I think I’m lucky to have two close friends from back then, now (SL, PT). Both live in the States now, but even that hasn’t gotten in the way of us being there for each other and keeping in touch. I love that. Every new year, I reflect on the people I care about and love and it surprises me how many years has gone by in those truly meaningful friendships: ER, MW, KL, KZ, ML. They have been there always, without fail, year after year. They are people I see less than once a month, but who’re always on the same page as me when we do find time to meet up and catch up. They are people I want in my life well past college. I love them. There was never any doubt about that, or of our trust.

I am a very lucky, blessed girl, and I have so much to look forward to this year (and onwards). For that fact, I still say prayers of thanks.