Theme: Law of Society

The lesson of geese

Renato had gathered his colleagues at his home. They would do the group work they would present to the class the following week.

The proposal was to talk about the Earth and the main characteristics of each continent. However, the work was not going very well, because they could not understand each other.

- Let's get a picture of a world map on the internet and paste it on the cardboard. Proposed Renato.

- No! This way, the poster will be very small. Nobody will be able to see from the back of the room. Where have you seen the world the size of a sheet of paper? - Lucas argued.

- I agree, it will be really small. You can let me draw the continents using two cards. It will be a very big poster! - Mariana said, confident, since she drew well.

But friends did not approve, and the comments continued:

- I don’t want it! I think a draw will have less details than a printed map - complained Renato.

- It doesn't matter what size it is, I think the poster has to be very colorful, to call attention. How about green and hot pink? - Suggested Carla.

- No! Shouted the others. - It will be horrible!

Everyone thought: “We’ll get zero marks! I don't know why the teacher has ordered it to be done in a group. It would be better for everyone to do it alone!”

Renato's mother realized that the group was having difficulties. She prepared a tasty snack and offered them a break to eat and get some rest. The children accepted it. Then, before getting back to the activity, Renato's mother did an invitation:

- Guys, can you watch this video with me? It's really quick and interesting.

The children did not understand the reason but accepted it politely. Renato's mother then turned on the video, which was about migratory geese.

The video explained that when the geese migrate fleeing the winter, travel thousands of kilometers until they reach places of warm weather. To achieve this, they fly by forming a letter "V" in the sky.

The goose that goes ahead decreases the air resistance for the goose that flies behind it. That is why, as a group, they can fly much more and tireless than if they flew alone. The goose in front gets tired faster. When that happens, another takes the lead. The geese that fly behind squawk to encourage the leader.

When a goose is sick or injured and cannot keep up with the flock, two others move around and stay with it to help it return. None of them are despised, as one hangs on the other.

When the video ended, Lucas said:

- I think our group has a lot to learn from these geese. Especially that, sometimes it is good to take turns with the leader! It is not cool for someone always want to be the boss.

- What I thought it was cool is that they quack to encourage those at the front, trying harder. It is easy for us to speak bad things, but we can also encourage, praising those who have done a good thing - commented Carla.

- Very well! Said Renato's mother. - That's what I wanted you to understand. And as a group, taking advantage of each other's ideas and talents, you are able to do a much better job and get less tired than if you were doing everything by yourself.

And taking advantage of the subject she even commented:

- It is important for us to learn to live and value the participation of each person. The human being learns and evolves in groups. This is a law of God, called the Law of Society. - And she added, excited - So, let's go! Get to work!

Renato's mother left and the children got back to their work much more encouraged.

On the day of the presentation, they were nervous. But because they were in a group in front of the class, instead of being alone, they felt more confident.

They started by hanging up the beautiful poster they made. They used two cards to make it big. They printed one continent at a time for the figures to be accurate and of the ideal size.

Mariana, with her talent, made colorful drawings of typical elements of each region. She drew trees from the forests in Brazil, the pyramids in Egypt, as well as mountains, volcanoes and rivers. She also drew, to decorate more the poster, some typical animals from each country.

Renato started the presentation by talking about the theme of the work and pointing out in the poster which were the continents of Earth. Later, Mariana, Lucas and Carla explained a little about each one.

When they finished, they received applause from their colleagues. The teacher, satisfied, complimented them, saying that they had accomplished the objectives of the work very well. They presented the information well and everyone in the group had an important participation.

The four friends smiled happily at each other. They would certainly get a good grade. And more important than that: they had learned a lot from that job. And with the geese!

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com