Once upon a time there was a little elephant. Little elephant had a trunk that was a little too long, and so little elephant was teased often. Little elephant was called pinocchio, long nose, and weirdo. Little elephant wished on every star and blade of grass that he would wake up one day with a normal sized trunk and so all of the other little elephants would be his friend. Little elephant’s long trunk often made him unbalanced, and so he often fell over, because none of the adult elephants ever took the time to teach him how to walk with a slightly longer trunk. One day ‘Old Gray’ walked up to little elephant and told him about all of the wonderful things that his longer trunk can do, such as throwing objects. Little elephant created games where he learned to shift his weight while he threw, and really project objects using his trunk. He started small, sticks and stones, and ended up tall, with fallen trees and boulders. Every game he played helped increase his trunk strength, his aim, this distance and so his confidence.
Little elephant grew, and as he grew, his trunk grew with him. Fortunately the other elephants realized little elephants potential, and started to appreciate his talents. The other elephants wished that they had such a mentor that helped them realize what they could do. One day, a hunter was creeping towards the elephants, wanting ‘Old Baboo’s’ tusks. Little elephant was by the watering hole, and so was too far away to help the other elephants attack. However, there was a giant rock by Little Elephant, and he picked it up. Because he had practised and played so diligently as a little elephant, he aimed and threw. He killed the hunter!!! Little elephant became a hero, and all of the other elephants decided to never tease the ‘different’ elephants again. They also learned that starting with easy games helped realize each elephant’s potential for strength and fitness later on in life, to help kill greedy horrible tusk hunters. And elephants were never poached again.
The end.
This might just be my new favourite story Meghan! 🙂 Thank you for sharing! There were so many important lessons to take away from this story, but of course the related PE lesson would be identifying the little elephant’s (student’s) special talents and skills. I think it is vital for teachers to help students identify their unique attributes and talents and how to further development them. I truly believe that everyone needs someone who believes in them, especially young students. Student’s need to be constantly encouraged and motivated to reach their full potential. I remember feeling intimidated in PE classes because I was one of the smaller students. I didn’t run as fast as other students, or throw as far. But my teachers and peers encouraged me to keep practising and to work towards my own goals. I was never the athletic student in class but I started to enjoy PE because I realized everyone has different talents and it was okay if I wasn’t the fastest runner in class.
After discussing the different pedagogies used in PE classes, I realized I liked the personal and social responsibility the most. I think it is important encourage students to take responsibility of their actions and to be concerned and aware of other people’s needs and feelings. Like your story, the other elephants teased little elephant for having a long nose. They were not concerned of little elephants feelings. The other elephants did not show respect of empathy until they realized how talented the little elephant was and then learned to never tease ‘different’ elephants again.
Looking forward to our next class!
Love your reply Amy!!! 😀 You really explained every concept I was trying to say in my story 🙂