Leadership Class Teaches Children Teamwork

Hundreds of fourth and fifth graders are learning skills they'll be able to use in the workplace. Sapulpa's Liberty Elementary staff says it's never too early to teach kids <br>how to be leaders

Wednesday, October 20th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Hundreds of fourth and fifth graders are learning skills they'll be able to use in the workplace. Sapulpa's Liberty Elementary staff says it's never too early to teach kids
how to be leaders and team players.

A lesson can be learned in something as simple as a rope. Children had to draw a picture of a house on the chalkboard, take a rope, and work as a team to make the same outline. The students say they really learned how to work together. "If you have a group it's a lot easier,â€ said 5th grader Sarah Carlton.

The children are part of a new program called Leadership Extravaganza. It's a different type of career day. Professionals from the community teach classes on leadership, teamwork and personality types. To learn how to deal with different personalities, the children write down their favorites on a balloon and trade with one another. Then they act out the other personâ€™s personality.

School counselor Denise Witzansky says the program teaches kids how to deal with diversity. And she says it's not too early to teach children these skills they will use throughout life. "They've got the knowledge,â€ she said. â€œThey're smart enough to embrace it. If we can teach them the skills early enough, it's going to make them successful in everything they do."

The children played games that seemed like total chaos in order to teach them how important leaders are. And they learned how to set goals. "They don't have to be really big things,â€ said Carleton. â€œLittle goals are a step towards dreams. They're like footsteps."