The tenth graders at SMAN 2 Sangatta Utara turned on the praises for their lesson on compliments — part of a greater lesson that included congratulations. After learning some of the many ways to give compliments such as, “I like your…“ and “Your _____ is ______,” ETA Janika Berridge and co-teacher Mr. Hasrul led students through a practice activity filled with sticky notes.

In pairs, students wrote compliments for six different images presented to them. They complimented artistic ability, appearance, and service to others amongst other traits. In response to an image of a handsome man with long hair and a striking gaze, one student wrote, “I like the way you look at me.” Once students finished writing their compliments, they stuck them on the board under the appropriate number for each image. Six random students were then called up to read aloud a compliment they liked — one compliment per image.

Following the practice activity, students were then encouraged to think about someone they admired and what they admired about that someone. They then wrote compliment cards to those individuals. Many students chose to write to their parents and close friends. Others — based on their giggles and wanting to cover their words when Janika walked around to check — seemed to have written their compliments to that special someone. It was exciting for  Janika and Mr. Hasrul to observe students’ creativity — with markers and with words. “Your smile makes me calm like water without waves.”

Janika Berridge is currently teaching at SMAN 2 Sangatta Utara, East Kalimantan.