SUMMARY

In 1958, when John Cruitt’s mother died, his third-grade teacher made a small gesture of kindness that meant a great deal to him. In this animated feature from our partners at StoryCorps, he sat down with Cecile Doyle decades later to tell her how that gesture changed his life — and in the process made a difference in her life as well.

View the transcript of the story.

News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

Alternative, if short on time: Watch the story or read the transcript. Then answer these "See, Think, Wonder" questions: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. Who are the individuals featured in this story?
2. When did John Cruitt's teacher Cecile Doyle make the gesture of kindness that stuck with him so many years later?
3. Why do you think Doyle waited for the other students to leave the room to talk with Cruitt?
4. How did Cruitt feel after Doyle talked with him after class and kissed him on the head?
5. What did Cruitt realize he hadn't done as an adult that he felt compelled to do years later?

FOCUS QUESTION

• Why do you think letting someone know how much they mean to you is important?
• Is there a person you would like to say thank you to? Jot down what you would tell them. It could be something big or small. Time permitting, share with your class or a peer, if you'd like to.

Media literacy: Why do you think StoryCorps chose to use animation to tell this story? Did you enjoy this format? Explain.

FOR MORE

What students can do:

Do you like telling stories to friends or family members? How about listening to their stories? Storytelling — and listening — is a real art that takes practice. The more you do it, the better you get at it. But also, who cares if you don't tell the perfect story? Sharing your thoughts and experiences is what matters. And it's also what matters to other people who care about you.

Maybe you want to share a serious story that changed and affected you in some way or a fun, silly story that's stuck with you.

Check out this lesson based on StoryCorps' The Great Thanksgiving Listen. It can be done anytime of the year. If short on time, jump to Step 4 of the Main Activity to start your interview!

Link to lesson below: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/classroom/daily-news-lessons/2024/11/the-great-thanksgiving-listen-help-elevate-student-voice-by-teaching-them-to-listen

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