So I posed two questions to my sixth graders on the first day of school: 1)If you could have one superpower, what would it be, and 2) explain a specific way you would use your superpower. Before I go on, perhaps you should answer that question for yourself.
Their answers reminded me of how great innocence is and how much we can change as we become adults. The superpowers they selected weren't all that unique. Many wanted to fly, a few wanted to be invisible, a couple wanted to be able to travel in time, and some wanted superstrength or speed. What was unique about the sixth graders is how they would use their powers. Here's a couple from the fly-ers: "I'd use my flying to rescue cats from trees."
"I'd fly to school so my mom wouldn't have to drive me all the time."
From the time-travelers: "I'd use it so that if I made a mistake I could go back in time and fix it."
"I'd use it in case I forgot to study for a test I could go back and study."
The invisible kids: "In case I got embarassed I could just dissapear"
"I would be the best at hide and seek,"
"if someone was chasing me I could get away."
Those with strength and speed wanted to be good at their sports. One even said, "I'd use my strength to fight the forces of evil."
Notice anything? Nearly every of them wanted to use their powers to make life easier for someone else or for simple enjoyment. Nobody wanted to cheat or use their powers to get ahead. Notice that the time travelers didn't use their power to get a sneak peak at what was on the test, instead they'd go back in time and study if they forgot! Of 63 students, only one used a power for "evil" (he wanted to rob a bank). I'm not sure, but I don't think many adults would have the altruistic responses of my sixth grade class. Would you?
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2 comments:
Reminds me of the line on "Shortbus"...something about, "I'd use my power to make you less boring." I like to think of really off-the-wall or pointless superpowers in my spare time. For example:
The power to be lucky.
The power to wear plaid.
The power to eat lemons without making an ugly face.
Holly Schlaack offers us a guide to the tormented world of aboutsmall kids. She tells their narratives of life both earlier and after they enter foster care. Her firsthand, on the ground experience is capsulized in her list of "A Dozen Ways to Make a Difference," so that the reviewer will be not only affected by these stories but shown a map to help make life better for them. I recommend Invisible Kids for any professional or private citizen who worries about children. (www.InvisibleKidsTheBook.com)
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