November 6, 2012
COOPERATION: working together to do more than you can do alone
Dear Parents,
Autumn is upon us: the air is crisp, the leaves are changing, the temperature is dropping, and we are well into our routine of studying, learning and growing in character. Last month, students learned a great deal about respect as they enjoyed classroom activities, quotations and assemblies. The month of November brings us the quality of COOPERATION. This is fitting for this time of year when Americans celebrate the feast of Thanksgiving, remembering thecooperation between the Pilgrims from England, who landed in America, and the Native Americans (Indians) in the year 1621. History tells us that after a hard winter, more than half of the first Americans died from disease, cold and starvation. The Native Americans (Indians) came to their aid by teaching them how to hunt and farm in the new land. This theme of COOPERATION is our focus for this month: working together to do more than you can do alone
Imagine the beautiful music that a well-practiced symphony produces as the various instruments complement one another, each adding to the final melody that we appreciate. Now, imagine that each performer does not listen to the others but plays as an individual without cooperating with his fellow members. The result would be a terrible noise that one could hardly call music. Just like music, life–with its many relationships and roles–requires cooperation. COOPERATION is an essential social skill that allows children to work well within a group to reach a common goal. By learning from a young age how to work with other people, our children are preparing for a successful future, both in their personal relationships and professionally. Cooperation is important in all aspects of life as that is how people are able to live together in a respectful way. Cooperation begins in the family, where kids learn how good it feels when everyone works together.
The following are some ideas for family discussions:
- Have your child share with you what he is learning in school for cooperation. Be an “active” listener by paying full attention to your child’s words and asking questions that allow him to elaborate on what he is saying.
- Share your experience when you were a part of a group who through cooperation reached a common goal. Give examples of your own life, either at work or home, when the spirit of cooperation lead to a good outcome.
- Discuss with your child how cooperation can be used to resolve differences or conflicts. When two people disagree, each one can respectfully listen to the other, express feelings, and through compromisereach a solution. Give examples.
The following are suggested activities to encourage respect as a family:
- Family Chore Time: Choose a certain time of each day or a day of the week when all family members work together to complete house chores. Each person has his or her own list of duties. You can play music or sing while working. The idea is that each person contributes to keeping a nice home for everyone to enjoy. When finished, reward yourselves with a hot cocoa drink and talk about how fun work can be when shared.
- Together as a family, make pizza. Each person can have a job, such as kneading the dough, rolling it out, spreading the sauce and toppings and putting it into the oven. As a result of this COOPERATION, the family can enjoy homemade, delicious pizza while having strengthened family bonds and building memories. Clean up can be a family cooperation too.
- Put a large puzzle together while enjoying each other’s company and having pleasant conversation.
- Community Service: As a family, visit an elderly neighbor, collect clothes and toys you no longer need and bring them to a poor family, buy food for a sick person and surprise them with a visit. Any activity that you do together for someone in need not only helps others but also builds cooperation.
- While watching a sport, such as football or basketball, discuss with your child why teamwork and cooperation are so important to playing well and having success. Then go outside and play with your children.
Finally, I would like to share with you a lovely cooperation that many of our Protagonist students participated in on Saturday, November 3: The MRDC Run for the Children in the park. It was a great joy for me to see the dear faces of many of our students who gave their time, donations and effort to run around the artificial lake for a good cause. The money raised from this fund-raiser will go toward children in need.
We appreciate your continual cooperation to help your children grow in knowledge and character. I wish you a blessed month of November.
Sincerely,
Maria Linderman
Drejtoresha a shkollës “Protagonistët”