Fundamental Friday
- Catherine Addor
- Dec 12
- 3 min read
The 12 Gifts of Learning (That Never Come in a Box)
You don’t need lights, snow, or candles to know this time of year brings reflection, connection, and possibility. With all the focus on gifts, let’s celebrate the intangible gifts we teach and nurture every day. Across grade levels, content areas, and communities.
On the first day of learning, we explored and found:
A chance to be seen authentically.
On the second day of learning, we explored and found:
Two kinds of courage
a chance to be seen authentically.
On the third day of learning, we explored and found:
Three caring friends,
two kinds of courage,
a chance to be seen authentically.
On the fourth day of learning, we explored and found:
Four thoughtful questions,
three caring friends,
two kinds of courage,
a chance to be seen authentically.
On the fifth day of learning, we explored and found:
Five moments of wonder…
four thoughtful questions,
three caring friends,
two kinds of courage,
a chance to be seen authentically.
On the sixth day of learning, we explored and found:
Six “ah-ha!” discoveries,
five moments of wonder,
four thoughtful questions,
three caring friends,
two kinds of courage,
a chance to be seen authentically.
On the seventh day of learning, we explored and found:
Seven tries at something hard,
six “ah-ha!” discoveries,
five moments of wonder,
four thoughtful questions,
three caring friends,
two kinds of courage,
a chance to be seen authentically.
On the eighth day of learning, we explored and found:
Eight stories shared,
seven tries at something hard,
six “ah-ha!” discoveries,
five moments of wonder,
four thoughtful questions,
three caring friends,
two kinds of courage,
a chance to be seen authentically.
On the ninth day of learning, we explored and found:
Nine kind affirmations,
eight stories shared,
seven tries at something hard,
six “ah-ha!” discoveries,
five moments of wonder,
four thoughtful questions,
three caring friends,
two kinds of courage,
a chance to be seen authentically.
On the tenth day of learning, we explored and found:
Ten problem-solved solutions,
nine kind affirmations,
eight stories shared,
seven tries at something hard,
six “ah-ha!” discoveries,
five moments of wonder,
four thoughtful questions,
three caring friends,
two kinds of courage,
a chance to be seen authentically.
On the eleventh day of learning, we explored and found:
Eleven joyful giggles,
ten problem-solved solutions,
nine kind affirmations,
eight stories shared,
seven tries at something hard,
six “ah-ha!” discoveries,
five moments of wonder,
four thoughtful questions,
three caring friends,
two kinds of courage,
a chance to be seen authentically.
On the twelfth day of learning, we explored and found:
Twelve sparks of purpose,
eleven joyful giggles,
ten problem-solved solutions,
nine kind affirmations,
eight stories shared,
seven tries at something hard,
six “ah-ha!” discoveries,
five moments of wonder,
four thoughtful questions,
three caring friends,
two kinds of courage,
a chance to be seen authentically.
As you reflect on these twelve gifts, consider which ones you naturally cultivate in your classroom and which might be worth elevating with more intention in the week ahead. Think about the ways you create space for students to explore, discover, and truly feel “seen” as individuals and as part of your learning community. One simple way to reinforce these ideas is to invite students to choose a gift they experienced this week, write about it, and add it to a classroom “Gifts of Learning” display. Moments like these celebrate the strength of your classroom community and remind students that learning is so much more than content; it is connection, curiosity, and shared humanity.
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