Lesson: You Matter

Posted December 2, 2020byMatthew Stensrud

In this time of uncertainty, our students may feel a bit lost in the shuffle of adults who are preoccupied with many concerns and worries. Matthew Stensrud created this touching lesson to remind each and every child that they are important.

I suggest that you read this book for YOURSELF before preparing to use it with the children. I have experienced many days where I feel like I don’t matter recently. As I was reviewing the lesson for this post, I teared up a little bit as Matthew read the story to me through the video. I think that I will purchase this book and create my own read-aloud video as a holiday gift for the whole staff at my school. Even when it does not feel like it, remember: YOU are worthy, YOU are loved, YOU are valuable, YOU are important. Students AND teachers need this beautiful message right now.

Matthew Stensrud

Matthew Stensrud is an award-winning Elementary Music and Movement Teacher and currently teaching PK-4 music and movement at Sidwell Friends Lower School in Washington, DC. He received his Master of Music Education from George Mason University and Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, is an Orff Schulwerk approved Teacher Educator of Movement, and teaches Movement Levels in South Carolina and Oregon. Matthew is also on The Orff Echo Editorial Board and was a key content contributor to the book Responsive Classroom for Music, Art, PE and Other Special Areas. He is available for workshops for music chapters, districts, schools, specials teachers, and more. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia. Visit his website: www.matthewstensrud.com to sign up for his newsletter with lesson plans, articles, and more. He is also well-known on social media as @MisterSOrff on Instagram and Facebook. He can also be found on YouTube at www.youtube.com/matthewstensrud

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7 Comments

Kim L. on December 2, 2020 at 3:38 pm

I loved this lesson! Thank you, Matthew. I’ve been feeling a bit like I don’t matter lately so I needed this as much as I know my students need it.

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Jen M on December 2, 2020 at 4:43 pm

Beautiful lesson as always, Matthew!!! Can’t wait to purchase the book and do this lesson with my students. We matter!!

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Inga Sieminski on December 2, 2020 at 6:37 pm

Beautiful lesson, Matthew. Will get the book. Thank you.

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Melissa Monaghan-Lopez on December 3, 2020 at 8:17 am

Love this! Just bought the book, can’t wait to do this lesson! Thank you.

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Christa Warlop on December 3, 2020 at 11:00 am

This is great! Thank you, Matthew! 🙂

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Jacob Burgess on December 4, 2020 at 8:50 am

Matthew, What an incredibly deep and moving lesson. Thank you for sharing it with us as we work to communicate to our students their importance amidst the cacophony of “making it work.”

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gazelle.pourreza on May 23, 2021 at 12:34 am

I really loved it! Thank you for sharing this !

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