A mother giraffe teaches its newborn calf an important lesson by kicking it repeatedly after birth until it learns to stand on its own. Once standing, the mother trips the calf to teach it to get up quickly, which is an important survival skill in the wild. The document compares teachers to mother giraffes, stating they have prepared students for standardized tests in the same way mother giraffes prepare their calves for life's challenges. It encourages students to believe in their potential for success and visualize achieving their goals.

1. Bringinga giraffe intothe worldisa tall order. Thenthe mothergiraffe rudelyintroducesitsoffspringto
the realityof life.
Gary Richmondinhisbook “A viewfromthe Zoo” describesanewbornGiraffe’slearnsitsfirstlesson.
The motherGiraffe looksoverhernewborn,andthenpositionsherself overhercalf. She thenkicksher
calf,sendingitheadoverheels.
Whenthe calf doesnotget up,the mothergiraffe kicksthe calf againand againuntil the calf is able to
stand. Once the giraffe isable tostandon its own,the mothergiraffe tripsthe calf. Why?She wants
the calf to rememberhowtogetup quicklyinthe wilds. There isdangerthatthe giraffe will have to
face everyday,and the motherwantshercalf to be a preparedaspossible.
Look at yourteachers --- Theyare the mothergiraffes –theyhave done everythingtheycanto prepare
youfor the pssas.
- Positive thinking–Will Smith– We have the powerto shape ourthoughts,whichallowsusto
shape our worlds,andthenourfutures.
- By believingthatyoucando well,thisthoughtallowsyoutoovercome the difficultythatyou
will face whentryingtowin. You mustcontinue topushthroughthe difficulttimes;thisiswhat
makesyougreat.
- The potential tobe great liesinsideeachone of you – yourmothergiraffeshave putyouonthe
path of greatness;believe inyourpotential tobe successful.
- Leave youwiththis:
o Visualizeyoursuccessonthistest
o Knowthat youcannot be stopped
o Be passionate aboutyoursuccess/goal
o Come to school witha purpose – to be successful onthe PSSAs
o Committo yourgoalsand to yoursuccess
You are Great --