I Just Wanna Be, I Just Wanna Be Successful

As a camp counselor for the YMCA at a neighborhood charter school, I spend a lot of time working with the kiddies. They are so much fun! It is so refreshing to witness the innocence of small children and to, if even just for a few hours a day, revert to your inner kid self. It is important to strike this balance: focusing too much energy on adulthood can be really boring. Kids really do have the most fun!

In summer camp, I teach 1st graders basic character education--they learn about respect, self-esteem, responsibility, honesty, caring, and success, spending a week on each topic. This week is caring week, and we did a project in which the kids drew a picture about something they do that demonstrates caring. Here is my example:



At the end of the summer, my class will be performing in a school-wide show for their community to prove that they have climbed the ladder to success. They will be reciting a poem called "You Must Not Quit" by an anonymous poet. The kids will also act out their parts. Today we decided to add a line from a popular song called "Successful" by rapper Drake featuring. Trey Songz. (If you ever heard the song, don't worry! We only taught the chorus) Too cute!
Here is a sample ringtone that includes the part we taught them:

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Even though sometimes they drive me crazy, I feel that I am doing some good in their lives. As an old African proverb goes, it DOES take a village to raise a child. Every kid needs a strong support network. If you can make yourself available to children, you should. You never know the kind of impact you might make. =)

(PS Post title is actually an excerpt from "Successful" by Drake featuring Trey Songz)

Have a Great Day!