Helping Kids to “Be a FIREWORK”

February 16, 2012 | Posted in: Class Updates

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Never did I think that I would use Katy Perry’s music as a teaching tool.  NEVER.  It wasn’t until someone pointed out the similes and metaphors in her song that I even considered using it as a tool to teach descriptive writing.  After all, as a popular singer, her song would be a source of motivation for the kids, right?  Even the kids who loathe Katy Perry would be actively engaged in the lesson, if only because of their dislike of her music!  Then, when I really looked at the lyrics, I saw what the song was all about (since I’d never paid particular attention, previously).  Firework is all about helping kids to be who they are, to show their inner spark (spark=ignite=firework), to not be afraid to show everyone what they can do.  What a great message!

Your children are right at that age where it potentially starts to be “less cool” to be scholastically-inclined.  Sadly, it can be fashionable to be disengaged and to apply less effort to succeeding in school.  I am working to prevent that and change that in our classroom.  It needs to be “cool” to try hard, even if that means that the student struggles.  It needs to be “cool” to push yourself – to go the extra mile.  Kids who aspire to achieve great things in class need to be admired, not labeled as brown-nosers.  These efforts intensified yesterday, on Day 100.

The kids in our class are now closer (in school days) to the start of fifth grade than the start of fourth grade.  (Wow!)  We listened to Firework and discussed what it was about.  Few students immediately knew, so we looked at the lyrics, word by word, to interpret the creative similes and metaphors.  We discussed the meaning of the song and what it taught us about life.  This was our spark for our new class approach: Be a firework!  There are posters in and outside our classroom, and I am urging all students to take the chance, muster up the courage, and “be a firework”.

Last night, the kids answered questions about the song.  Here is what some of them shared:

What is the meaning of the song Firework?

• You have to “get out there.” Don’t be afraid to be you!
• Firework means “don’t feel like you’re alone.”  You have talent and [should] believe in yourself.
• Always be yourself and let the real you shine.  Believe in yourself and do what you think is right.  Don’t hide yourself; let everyone see the real YOU!!!
• Being a firework means “explode what you know!” – Impress people!
• Step [up] and really show people who you really are and if you feel like nobody notices you or thinks you’re just another plain, boring person, then you [have] to stand up for who you are and the potential in you.
• You can show people what you really can do.
• Even after a bad day, week, month, or year, a good thing will happen, and who you are has always been inside of you.
• There’s a spark in you and you just need to let it shine and take a chance.  … Who do you want to be?

How will you be a firework in school?

• I can be a “firework” in class by putting all my effort in everything I do.  Even if I don’t get an A+, I should be able to go home and tell my parents that I did my best work … [It] takes courage to stand up for yourself.
• I’ll be a “firework” by being honest and by [trying] out new things, being friendly to everyone, and showing my true talent and letting others too.
• I will be a firework by working harder, helping more people, and [by trying] to be the best I can be.
• I will be a firework by … not giving up easily and by raising my hand when I have a question.
• I will be a firework in school by trying my hardest, of course!  I will ignite my light and make you go “oh – oh – oh”!  I will express what I know I am – a FIREWORK!