What I Learned in Fourth Grade

Every grade level has a suggested curriculum that a student in that grade level is to master or at least complete. The truth is that I have no idea what all I was to master or complete when I was in the fourth grade. I completed all twelve grades of my public education in Temple, Texas. Grades one through six were in elementary school and in 1956 I began the fourth grade at Vandiver Elementary School with our teacher Mrs. Haygood.

While the content of the curriculum for that year escapes me, the beginning of each school day that year is etched in my mind. Each morning Mrs. Haygood led us in the same three morning exercises for the entire school year. We began by saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Next we sang the song "O What a Beautiful Morning" from the musical "Oklahoma." Finally, we recited the scripture verse found in Psalm 19:14. Our teacher's purpose was to set a tone for the day that would help us stay on the right path for that day.

While I didn't see or understand her purpose then, today I can see the value in each of those three exercises. First, the Pledge of Allegiance helped us to be thankful for our nation. One of the great benefits that we receive because we live in the United States is the opportunity to go to school. I didn't realize then that not every child in other countries has that same benefit. Some countries withhold education because of gender or ability or class status. I don't think Mrs. Haygood was trying to teach us everything about civics by saying the pledge, but rather wanted us to know that we were blessed to live in this nation.

Second, we sang "O What a Beautiful Morning." I don't think she was hoping to find great singers in our class. Instead, I believe she was trying to help us have a good attitude and outlook as we began our school day. She was focusing our attention on something positive rather than something negative. While I have a hard time matching my voice to the notes of a song, the words are still enbedded in my mind. When I think of the words to that song, a smile just naturally comes to my face to this day.

Third and most importantly, we recited Psalm 19:14. I don't remember if she emphasized that the words she taught us were from the Bible, but I do remember that she told us how important it was to think about and speak the words that would make God pleased. To this day, Psalm 19:14 is still one of my favorite verses from the Bible.

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation

of my heart be acceptable in your sight,

O Lord, my strength and my redeemer."

During that year in fourth grade, Mrs. Haygood taught us the different parts of speech and the tenses of verbs. For proper communication in both speech and writing, these are necessary skills to have. But far more important, she taught us the importance of the content of what we say and the thoughts in our minds that become the foundation of what we say. In addition to all of this, she also was teaching us thankfulness, attitude, and scripture. And now sixty-eight years later I still remember and value those three things. Even more, I understand the importance of each to a much greater extent.

In the spring of 1957, my fourth grade year ended. That summer at the age of ten, I trusted Jesus to be my Savior and Lord. My Sunday School teacher, my pastor, and my family all had a part in helping me make that decision. While public school teachers are usually not mentioned in helping a person make a spiritual decision, I believe that Mrs. Haygood was also one of those persons who helped me make my decision to trust Jesus.

This week might be a good time to reflect upon some of those persons who have influenced your spiritual decisons.