IN THE CLASSROOM:

Jared Adams stood with his classmates and read the words he prepared prior to the event.

Cameras flashed and eyes welled up.

Each student at Kaiser Elementary, speaking individually, read from handmade books that contained the loving words that honored, sitting before them, their mothers.

For the past 15 years Sherrilynne Dangl’s third-grade class has hosted a special Mother’s Day Luncheon the week prior to the holiday to help honor the children’s mothers. Dangl, a mother herself, likes to treat the moms, but also uses the opportunity to teach the children lessons.

“It’s a respect issue,” said Dangl, whose two daughters and mother were in attendance.

“I want them to realize their moms do so much and to have them honored for what they do.”

The 20 students served their parents lunch and dessert, and sang a song to honor them.

In addition, the children also gave them a special tile with words such as “I love you mommy” written on them and a book they had created for and about moms.

“This is so exciting,” said Sarah Adams who was there with her son, Jared. “I like to see my son show me off.”

Dangl is proud of the books, which were made by the children. She says she has former students now in college who remember the luncheon and their mothers still have the books they made many years ago.

“It is something they will cherish forever,” Dangl said.

Dangl also read the children’s book “Love You Forever” by Robert Lunch for the class, which responded with a resounding “Awww.”

There were some tears in the audience when the children sang “I Often Go Walking” while holding a flower commemorating their moms.

“It’s bonding for the kids to have their mom here,” Dangl said. “The kids learn to want to get [their mother’s] food, serve them, honor them.”

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at daniel.tedford@latimes.com.