Lions Give Books To Third-Grade Students
Author: Bob Brastrup, Townsend Lions Club
Lions Give Books to Third-Grade Students
Bob Brastrup
Townsend Lions Club
"A for Attitude" by Australian author Julie Davey is a book of inspiration and encouragement for people of all ages. The book has been translated into many languages and has been endorsed by many organizations.
Broadwater County Lions Bob and Sheri Brastrup were introduced to the book while on a visit to a Lions club in Mildura, Victoria, Australia. The Mildura club bought the book and gave it to third-grade students in the local school.
The Townsend third-grade teachers and administration thought the book would be a good addition to the local educational program and, for the last four years, the Broadwater County Lions Club has purchased and given the books to the third-grade students. It was the first time the book had been brought to a U.S. school.
The book is filled with statements like “Do the best you can with your natural gifts – that is all you have to do.
You don’t have to be the best, but it is important to be your best.”
After reading, “There is no one in the world who is always right.”
The classes are divided into groups and they play gossip. A teacher whispers a statement into the ear of the first student in the group and the students pass the statement down the line. The last student then reports what they heard. One of my favorite results was the teacher whispering “Third graders are awesome” to the first student. The last student in line heard “Mrs. Lawson is awesome!”
The gossip game allows the Elementary Principal to discuss issues the students bring to her by asking if the student heard the person say that or was the student repeating what someone else had heard? Is it possible that the story changed as it went from one person to another as it did during the gossip game?
Four years ago, the International Lions vice-president, Dr. Choi and his wife visited the class and were able to participate in a Skype presentation between the students and the author.
Forty-two students were presented with the book this year. As they discover the lessons in the book, one expression is especially fitting - “You can choose to think and behave in certain ways that help you to be a happier and more successful person”.
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PhotoCredit: Photo Credits: Bob Brastrup
Image 1 Caption: Third graders receive "A for Attitude"
Photo Credits: Bob Brastrup
Image 3 Caption: Liv Mace and Page Maughan with Richard Heida
Photo Credits: Bob Brastrup
