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Wednesday, February 24, 2010

What Does Love Look Like?

My friend, Kathy and I, were supposed to visit a second grade classroom just before Valentine's Day to do another fun afternoon of writing.

Kathy had purchased heart lollipops, pencils, and pads for the kids. Due to snow days (and other unforeseen circumstances) we weren't able to go when we had planned, but we're going this Friday afternoon.

"What should we do with all the valentine stuff?" Kathy asked me.

"Let's plan some other kind of writing activity around it," I told her. "Something where we can still use hearts and get the kids to paint with their words through their senses. Any ideas?"

"Let's just ask them what love looks like," Kathy suggested.

Her idea is terrific. That's what we're going to do. Before we ask the kids to actually write, we'll go around the room and get their imaginations rolling. We'll play a game called Braindropping. The kids love it! We ask the kids to say the first thing that comes to their mind when they think of the word, LOVE. If they can't think of anything in 1/10 of a second, they can say PASS. Everyone gets more than one turn...trust me!

In about five minutes, we'll have a whole list of words on a piece of chart paper. The words will show love. Some of the words will be the same. Some will be different. One idea or word will lead to another. By the time we're done, the kids words about love will spill onto their individual papers.

I think I've told you before, but I'll tell you again. I use the same writing activities with kids that I do adults.

With that in mind, tell me what love looks like to you. I'll share the kids responses (and mine) on Friday. What do you want to bet that some of our answers will be the same?

20 comments:

Jan Mader said...

I've seen love. Of course I know love. The first thing that came to my mind (when thinking of love) was the time I was volunteering at a homeless shelter and I watched an older very wrinkled woman (volunteer) wraped her arms around the smelliest dirtiest man imaginable. "I love you." she said to the man. There was not a doubt in my mind. I watched as tears rolled down the man's face. I don't think anyone had touched him in a very long time....

Kat said...

An old man and old woman holding hands.

Kat said...

Honest, I did not read your comment before I wrote mine! I never read the comments until after so that it doesn't mess with my thoughts. Interesting we both had old people in mind.

Jan Mader said...

There's something about love that stands the test of time or is non-judgemental....

Kas said...

LOve is sittting in companionable silence and being able to understand what the other is thinking.

CATachresis said...

Some great answers above. Can't think of anything more except that maybe love looks like 1 Corinthians 13.

In modern day parlance and in keeping with what others have said, I guess love is being in it for the long haul!

Al said...

When I see my friend with a panda like eyes because she's been sleepless and holding her phone while chatting on the internet all at the same time. I know there's love going on. LOL!

AL

Janie B said...

As a teacher and literacy coach at our school, I love the idea of getting to the core of what love is. Kids would enjoy that activity. Thanks for sharing.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Love is when you feel safe enough to tell someone your deepest thoughts, and know they won't throw you away.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Love is when someone is holding a special flower and they give it to you.
Love is when you pick a flower and place it in someones hand.
Love is when you see someone drying another persons tears from their eyes.

Jan Mader said...

Love is when someone sends you lavender just because they know you like how it smells....

DJan said...

Is this weird or what? Before I read the comments, it was two speckled old hands clasped together. Love is also the sweet puppy licking his mistress' face.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Love is a chocolate ice cream cone.

Love is helping someone pick up shattered pieces that TUMBLED to the ground.

A smile is love

sandy said...

I always read all the comments before I post a comment, no wonder my blog walking takes soooooooooooo long. Perhaps I should read the post and make my comment to pick up some time.

Love is sharing.

Sandy
I'm sharing the love right now on my travel blog with a contest....any and all invited.

Kathleen Jones said...

An image I have etched on my forever memory of what love looks like was when my good friend Rita and her husband came to a friends wedding. Rita was 9 months pregnant (she went into labor after dancing at the wedding) and her husband came around and opened the car door for her, helped her stand up, put his arm around her to steady her and looked directly into her eyes. His look of love and protectiveness of her is something I will always remember as one of the most touching things I have ever seen.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

I saw a mama kitty carrying a kitten up a long wynding road. I followed her, as she crawled into a hole in a huge barn. As I peeked inside, I saw 6 baby kittens playing in the rays of the sunshine. Mama kitty had gone to get the last kitten. That was love.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Love is watching my mommy pull a brand new red ball out of her pocket for me.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Love is being handed a chocolate chip cookie- right out of the oven.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

love is when someone gives you a blanket when your cold and wet.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

love is hearing someones voice that you miss so bad.

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