OUR FUNERAL FOR "MR. I CAN'T"

Today was THE day for OUR FUNERAL for "Mr. I Can't"

I got the idea from one of the 4th grade teachers, when my youngest son was in 4th grade 6 years ago. She got it from a story in a Chicken Soup for the Soul book. I have been doing it with my students every year that I have taught since then. I'm always not sure if my special ed. students are going to get it, and I thought I might not do it this year, since I'm at a Primary school. I decided that with a lot of explanation from me they could get it, and my 2nd and 3rd graders DID get it. . .I think. . .I hope!

I mentioned it to them last week.

Then, 2 days ago, I wrote on the board and told them:

Announcement:

"Mr. I Can't" died this morning. We will bury "him" on Thursday. We can not say "I can't" anymore.

I explained to them that we weren't burying a real person. It was the "thought" of "I can't" that we were burying.

I sent a newsletter home yesterday, telling the parents about it, and asking if their children had black or dark clothes, to have them wear them to school today.

This morning, I gave each student a strip of paper and a pencil. I asked them to write their name and the words I can't on the paper. If they wanted to write something specific that they had said I can't about, they could.

I put all of the pieces of paper in a small, plastic, instant tea canister.

This year, I found a tombstone at a garage sale, that a lady had painted R.I.P. on. It would have only been 50 cents, but when she found out it was for school, she gave it to me.

I added:

(Rest in Peace)

Mr. I Can't

Buried Oct. 1, 2009

We buried the canister right outside my window, and put the tomb stone in the ground.

I told the students that we can say "I can't. . .yet" or "I will try." or "I will learn", etc., but no more, "I can't!"