[LM_NET] HIT : Geese poem

[AmySholdt <a.sholdt@MKIS.EDU.MY>]

Below are the responses I got for the quest for the geese poem about  
flying in a V (obviously there isn't a poem but I received some great  
sites and info).  Thank you so much to all who replied.  The teacher is  
very appreciative.


Responses:

I used this story often when I was a trainer in industry.  Here is a  
link for the story:  
http://www.mtceurope.co.uk/corporate/team_corporate.html.  I do not  
know if it is available in a children’s book, but there are tons of  
resources using it in motivational and team design literature in  
industry.
 ____________

Follow this link.   
http://www.missico.com/personal/thoughts/lessons_from_geese.htm
 It has the poem I think you want--"Lessons From Geese", with a brief  
information about its origins.
_____________

Google - Lessons from geese
You'll get lots of hits like this one:
http://www.leadershipi2i.com/geese.cfm

__________

  Anyway, my principal gave us a similar poem when we opened this school  
6 years ago - it's a great symbol for team-building and working toward  
a common goal. I'm afraid he didn't include the source, and I don't  
know where he got this, but I'm retyping it in case you can use it:

Lessons from the Geese

We live in an area where geese are very common. We see them coming in  
the fall and leaving in the early spring. Their migration is an awesome  
sight. There is an interdependence in the way geese function. As each  
bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird following. By  
flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range  
than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can  
get where they are going more quickly and more easily because they are  
traveling on the thrust of one another.

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and  
resistance of trying to fly alone. It quickly gets back into formation  
to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in  
front.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation  
with those who are headed where we want to go.

When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation, and  
another goose flies at the point position.
Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing  
leadership; people, as with geese, are interdependent with each other.

The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to  
keep up their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure our "honking" from behind is encouraging,  
not something less helpful.

When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of  
formation to follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with  
him until he is either able to fly again or dies. Then they launch out  
on their own with another formation or catch up with their flock.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as the geese, we will stand by each  
other.

When I was a new library media specialist in this school district, our  
Superintendent visited our orientation class. His gift to us was a  
framed copy of "A Flock of Geese" and it was attributed to Angeles  
Arrien. The piece fits your description, although it's not a poem.
I just did a Google search for Angeles Arrien flock of geese and came  
up with some sites that have the little essay on them. Many of the  
sites give original attribution to Milton Olson, with adaptation by  
Angeles Arrien. In any case, it's probably what you're looking for.
  _____________

http://www.readinga-z.com/newfiles/levels/lesson_plans/k/ 
migrating_geese/migratinggeese_print.html

_____________________
Amy Sholdt
ES Teacher Librarian
Mont Kiara International School
Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
a.sholdt@mkis.edu.my


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