4th Grade Graduation Speech #resvt #mmuusdvt

 Good afternoon almost 5th graders!  Good afternoon family, friends, teachers, and well wishers.  

We are here today to celebrate the growth and accomplishments of these fine students.  And it has been an honor to teach them for the past couple of years.  This group of kids will always be near and dear to my heart because we went through two and half years of covid together.  And they have shown such resilience, empathy, and grace, far more than most adults that I know. I appreciate my time with them and look forward to what they will do in the future.  

Well, my darlings, you are about to head into middle school.  And with any change, it comes with excitement and anxiety.  This change might be wonderful or it might be a challenge, or most likely a little bit of both.  But I assure you that you have the tools to navigate this change with the same resilience, empathy, and grace you have shown during our covid years.  

The proof is right here.  This is our speaking stone.  It was first created by a 1st grader, who thoughtfully decorated it with the supportive message “You are amazing”  and a cute picture of a cat.  This stone was left in the kindness rock garden where anyone could pick it up to keep or share.  This rock was given to me by one of you.  This act of kindness filled my heart with joy.  It is not everyday that someone does something that makes you feel valued.  This simple act did exactly that.  I felt seen and I felt loved. Thank you, Riley.  

This act of kindness has rippled out and added new meaning to this rock.  This year, in library & enrichment, we used this rock as our speaking stone.  Every class we started with a group question.  This question could be silly like “would you rather be an elephant or a kangaroo?”  Or the question could be serious “When was a time you needed to ask for help?” or the very important “What is your favorite thing to put maple syrup on?”  

As this stone traveled around our class ‘circle,’ we practiced some of life's most important lessons.  The first is Your Voice Matters.  Please do not devalue your voice.  Your perspective matters.  You matter.  You might think that no one wants or cares about what you have to say.  But believe me, your thoughts are like puzzle pieces.  Without your voice, we, as a class community, will always be a piece shy from seeing the full picture.  A very funny and wise man once said “Be yourself.  Everyone else is taken.”  (Oscar Wilde) 

The second lesson learned from our speaking stone is to truly LISTEN! Without listening, we might have all the puzzle pieces, but we aren’t putting them in the right order.  Listening helps us construct the puzzle into the beautiful landscape promised on the box.  Listening tells others that you respect them and see them as fellow human beings.  You do not need to be friends with everyone.   But you do need to listen to them. Listening doesn’t mean you agree with them, it just means that you are trying to understand them.  This is probably the hardest thing for all of us to do.  And our world would be a little bit better if we all just learned to truly listen more. 

The third lesson we learned from our speaking stone is that you don’t have to have the right answer the first time.  The stone will always come back around for a second turn.  Do not expect to be perfect at all times. Other opportunities will come for you to practice and add to your growth.  Sometimes we need one more time around the circle to really get our thoughts in order.   Sometimes we think of the perfect answer a month later.  Remember that everyone comes to their truth in their own time.  And sharing and listening can help others learn and grow in their own time too.   Positive communities support and lift up everyone.  We are better together.   

As a graduation gift from me, I made y’all your very own speaking stone.  This is to remind you of these lessons as you start your next chapter.  Pick one out at the cupcake table at the end of our ceremony.  Congratulations my friends.  Celebrate this accomplishment and don’t forget to stop by once in a while to share your thoughts, a good book, or a good joke. We are rooting for you and I know you’ll do amazing.