58

THE SCHOOL DANCE - PART 1

59GRADES 1 & 2

HAVE YOU AND A FRIEND EVER HAD DIFFERENT FEELINGS ABOUT THE SAME THING? HAVE YOU EVER BEEN SURPRISED BY THE WAY SOMEONE ELSE REACTED TO SOMETHING?Sometimes we have different ideas and feelings than other people, and

that can make us react to things in different ways. When we know what

others are thinking and feeling, it helps us understand why they do the

things they do.

In this story, two friends have a hard time getting along because they

react differently to a task they are supposed to work on together.

As you listen to this story, pay attention to what happens when the

characters don’t understand one another’s behaviors, and think about

what they could do to clear up the misunderstanding.

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61GRADES 1 & 2

“Nice dancing, Desert Animals!” cheered the music teacher. “You are almost ready for our Animal Habitats performance at next week’s Family Night.”

As the group of kids walked off the stage, smiling and giving each other high fives, the teacher turned toward the rest of the class. “Okay, now where is my Ocean Life team?” he called. “It’s your turn next—so let’s get front and center.”

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63GRADES 1 & 2

Annie jumped up from her seat, excited to take the stage with her team. She loved to dance and was really looking forward to being the starfish in the class performance. This is going to be so much fun, she thought. I can’t wait for Family Night.

She waved to her team and called, “Come on, everyone!”

64

65GRADES 1 & 2

Kenny was also part of the Ocean Life team. He sighed and slouched up onto the stage, wishing that he had the part of the coral reef instead of the clown fish. The coral reefs just stood in the same place and didn’t have to move one inch. I really don’t want to do this dance, Kenny thought. I know I’m going to bump into everyone.

66

67GRADES 1 & 2

As the music began, Kenny’s stomach felt tight and he started coughing. “Can I please be excused to get a drink?” he asked.

By the time Kenny returned, the Rainforest team was already on the stage practicing their parts. Whew, I didn’t have to dance, he thought.

68

69GRADES 1 & 2

That afternoon, Annie waited eagerly at the tree house for the rest of the Ocean Life team to arrive. They had all agreed to meet after school for some extra practice, and within a few minutes almost everyone was there.

Annie frowned as she looked around. “Kenny isn’t here yet,” she said. “Well, we should probably get started anyway. Family Night is only a few days away and we still need a lot of practice.”

70

71GRADES 1 & 2

The kids practiced the dance again and again. It was kind of hard to remember all the different underwater movements, but they got better each time.

“Look—Kenny is finally here,” said one of the kids. “Hurry up, Kenny—we already started practicing.”

Kenny bit his lip. “I think I’ll just watch for now,” he said, sitting down by the oak tree. He watched his friends dance and thought, I sure wish it was that easy for me. He hung his head and hoped that the practice would be over soon.

72

73GRADES 1 & 2

“Let’s go through it one more time from the beginning,” suggested Annie. “Come on, Kenny!” she called.

Kenny stood up and gathered his things. “I’m going to go home and study my spelling words. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“But you haven’t even practiced with us,” Annie exclaimed.

“Sorry,” Kenny said quietly. “Maybe next time.”

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75GRADES 1 & 2

Annie watched Kenny walk away, feeling confused and a little bit frustrated. Why won’t Kenny practice with us? she wondered. Everyone else is working really hard, and it’s not fair that Kenny hasn’t even practiced one time. It’s like he doesn’t even care about being part of our team.

Kenny glanced back, but Annie had already returned to the rest of the group. He sighed and continued to walk home, thinking, I wish I was better at dancing— I hate to let down my team.

TO BE CONTINUED…