8th Graders and the Power in Words
When parents send their children to school each day, they expect them to learn reading, writing, and arithmetic. Research papers, science projects, and book reports are all part of the process. But this week, St. Peter's 8th graders went beyond those things and learned about the power of their words.
Mrs. Nagle's 8th graders have been studying the Civil War and Harriet Beecher Stowe's work, Uncle Tom's Cabin, which is acclaimed as the most influential novel in American history. The students have been working on a Document Based Question (DBQ), a type of question they will encounter in high school, asking: "Can words lead to war?"
In preparation for the DBQ, the class spent time talking about how words matter. The students watched video clips containing lessons about how words can change lives. Those were coupled with biblical verses that address the power of words. Proverbs 12:18 says, "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." James 3:5 teaches, "In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire." They talked about how words can bring life or death and have the power to change things in our world. Mrs. Nagle then challenged the students to think of a word that could change the world.
Mrs. Nagle wanted the students to take it one step further and share their words, to offer some positivity to St. Peter. She picked up 12 balloons and gave one to each of her homeroom students. The students wrote their world-changing words on a tag and attached it to their balloon. The balloons were then distributed around St. Peter for others to experience the power of the words the students chose. Some of the words were Freedom, Perseverance, Joy, Hope, Thanks, and Forgiveness. There is power to change attitudes, change thinking, and encourage others in those words.
God was at work at St. Peter through Mrs. Nagle and the 8th grade students reminding all of us that our words have power – the power to hurt or the power to heal – and it is essential to use them wisely. What a valuable lesson to be taught at such a young age that they can take with them into high school!
