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Today I taught a lesson to my students inspired by Poems Are Teachers by Amy Ludwig Vanderwater. We brainstormed a list of places that we've been that are special to us. On my list was my grandparent's house. Tonight I tried to write a model to share with my students. This is what I came up with:
The House on Dianne Street I remember the house on Dianne Street second from the corner. I remember the porch and the rocking chairs and conversations. I remember my Grandy's garden colorful flowers lovingly tended. I remember his rose garden on the side of the house and the rose that bloomed in December the year he died. I remember the kitchen where we had bubbly grilled cheese on summer afternoons. I remember the dining room and cups of tea with something Grandma baked always a sweet treat. I remember the den upstairs and watching tv Golden Girls Jeopardy Seinfeld. I remember the pull-out couch and Saturday night sleepovers and coming home from dinner out. I remember the balcony leading to my grandparents' room. I remember the comfy chairs near the window. I remember the piano where I played the only song I knew "Heart and Soul." I remember the smell of the closets. I remember the fun. I remember the laughs. I remember the love. So many visits to the house on Dianne Street, my grandparent's house. They aren't there now and so I don't visit Dianne Street anymore but that house second form the corner permanently lives in my heart.
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"She threw it out," my student tells me. It is the end of the day- dismissal time- and many of the students have already left. A few students remain with me in the classroom. My student- I'll call her M.- is telling me about a gift she gave her teacher last year, in another school, in another state.
"I did chores at home to earn $5 to buy her a teddy bear. But then she threw it out," M says. The other students and I can't imagine a teacher throwing out a teddy bear given as a present. "Maybe she didn't mean to throw it out- like she did it on accident?" a boy suggests. M. shakes her head. "No she knew she threw it out." I am flabbergasted at this teacher's actions. M. did chores to earn the money to buy a teddy bear, only to watch her teacher throw it in the garbage can? Of all the cruel behaviors of teachers, that might be the worst I've personally heard. On my worst teaching day, I've never thrown out a child's present, bought with the money they earned, in front of them. I guess that's something. |
AuthorKathleen Neagle Sokolowski Archives
January 2023
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