Harrison Elementary School Teaches Students That Words Really Matter

Written by Marilyn Joyce Lehren

Harrison Elementary School students are putting the exclamation mark on words that matter as part of a yearlong theme called Words Matter.

With cheerleaders and mascots waving pom-poms and leading cheers, Harrison School teachers are pumping up students to use the right words at the right time.

“Because words truly do matter, we have to be careful and thoughtful about the words we say, think, read, and write,” said media specialist Coleen Caulfield.

Caulfield organized the Sept. 20 pep rally in the Harrison School gymnasium, an event crossing the curriculum with filmmaking, music, technology and folk tales all part of the rousing cheer to chose words with care.

“We all know the familiar playground chant, ‘Sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me!’ is not a true statement. Words are powerful and they can, indeed, hurt,” Caulfield said.

Students in each grade choose words expressing compassion, kindness, caring, and congratulations. “What comes out of your mouth reflects what you think,” said Harrison School Principal Cindy Healy.

And what came out with their exclamation points were words like, “You’re amazing!” and “Fantastic!" Though clearly from the smiles and cheers and excitement over words, our favorite exclamation was from kindergarteners, “Today is the best day ever!”

See the video, hear the song and learn more about the Harrison School Words Matter curriculum on the school's here.

Marilyn Joyce Lehren is the manager of communications/community outreach for Livingston Public Schools. Follow on Twitter at #LivSchools, or on Facebook  at Livingston Public Schools.