"When Someone Is Good" : a poem about telling someone when they're good. No ifs, no buts.
Updated: Jun 26
Yesterday I started thinking about how as a teachers, we are often encouraged (maybe even brainwashed) into endlessly looking for ways to make children's work better. Sometimes, many times, we need to tell children that their work, whatever it is, is brilliant just the way it is.
This can also apply to the process of being observed as a teacher by fellow professionals. I remember on one observation, teaching a great lesson and the first thing the member of the Senior Leadership Team couldn't wait to feedback to me was: "Do you realise, your introduction was 3 minutes over? " Yes really!
So I was inspired to write a poem about just telling someone they're good. No ifs, no buts.
And the next time someone does well and is really good, just bloody tell them!
When Someone is Good …
When someone is good
Just tell them they’re good
No woulds, no coulds
No maybe-you-shoulds
No ifs, no buts
No why-didn’t-you-puts
No thats, no this
No stars and a wish
No mmms, no sniffs
No much-better-ifs
When someone is good
just tell them they’re good
With whoas, with wows
With show-us-all-hows
With smiles, with cheers
With I love your ideas!
Mark Bird
