Thank You, Lord!

Can you say WARDROBE MALFUNCTION? Well I nearly had a DOOZY of one yesterday! I was visiting a first grade classroom to check on a little blond spitfire who is working on following first request and showing respect. Each day I drop by early, his teacher gives him a 1-10 score on each of his two goals, and he colors in that many squares on a bar graph, which we call a rainbow chart. As he stood beside me and colored his chart, I stood up to straighten my skirt, which had turned itself around so that the zipper wasn't in the back, where it was supposed to be. As I fumbled to find the wayward zipper, my eyes flew open as round as possible, I probably turned white with fear, and I gasped in horror. Miss Maner, the teacher, said, "What's wrong, Miss Mimi?" "Oh my goodness," I said. "My skirt is all the way unzipped, and I was too lazy to fasten the hook and eye this morning! It is a MIRACLE that it didn't fall off right here in front of your whole class!" The little boy beside me jerked his head around to look at me, quickly turned it away again, grinned, and slapped both hands over his eyes. "I wouldn't have looked, Miss Mimi," he said. Miss Maner chimed in, "No, Miss Mimi, we wouldn't have looked." "Yeah right," I giggled. I sat back down, still almost hyperventilating with the aftereffects of sheer fright, and continued to chuckle about my near mishap. The child put down his crayon, turned to me with a bright smile, slapped me playfully on the chest, and said, "Here, let me put your heart back in!" All day long I cringed every time I considered what might have happened if my skirt had fallen to my feet in front of MISS MANER and her crew. WHAT a nightmare that would have been! Lesson learned? No matter how tedious it may be, ALWAYS fasten hooks and eyes on skirts!

Love Your Brother

I still have a touching image of brotherly love in my mind, and it's based on an incident that occurred at bus duty early this morning. Since our children begin arriving about 7:00 and school doesn't begin until 7:45, they wait in either the cafeteria or the gym until 7:30, when they're dismissed to go to class. Teachers take turns overseeing students as they wait. This week is stressful for the staff at our school because it's the first week that all 300 plus kindergarten students come to school for the entire day. During the initial 2 weeks of school, kindergartners have staggered attendance, coming only one day per week. This allows their teachers to have small groups of 4 or 5 children in order to teach them the rules and routines of school in a more intimate, comfortable setting. This week, morning bus duty has scads of tiny, hesitant 5 year olds coming to the door of the lunchroom and just standing still as they look around the crowded area. Many staff members are on hand to gently guide them to the correct waiting area. Well this morning two little dark-haired boys slowly walked in together, one half a head taller than the other. They were both handsome and looked very much alike, telling me that they were most likely brothers. Seeing that they were proceeding timidly through the crowded cafeteria, I checked to see whether they needed help. In a shy voice, the older boy asked if he could stay with his kindergarten brother, who was obviously anxious about being left alone in the unfamiliar setting. I told Big Brother that he could walk his little brother over to the kindergarten section, but that he'd have to go to the gym with the other second graders afterwards because we were out of seats in the kindergarten area. Although the boys didn't argue, they quietly turned to each other and gently put their hands on each other's shoulders. The big brother placed a tender kiss on his young sibling's head as the little one fought back tears, and they just stood there in that position. I gave them a few seconds to gather their courage, and then I put my hand on the kindergartner's back and led him to a table. Looking back across the lunchroom, I noticed that his older brother was still in the very same spot, checking to make sure the little one was safe and settled. Only when I went back and reported that all was well did the older boy leave the room to walk down to the gym where the other second graders were. My heart was warmed because these little fellows so obviously had a tight bond of family loyalty, and Big Brother played his role of protector to the hilt!

DUCK!

As I power-walked down the hall around 1:00 today, I passed a pretty blonde second grader who was rubbing her head with a perturbed expression on her face. "Hello!" I said as we met. "Miss Mimi, I got hit in the head by a juice box", she said. "Ouch!" I responded. "That must have hurt." At this point, she flashed me a lopsided grin. "Yeah, I was just sitting there minding my own business when a juicebox flew by." "Well whoever threw it was using his hands for hurting," I said, referring to one of our peacemaking rules. "Did you throw it back at him?" Screwing her face up as if that was the dumbest thing she'd ever heard, the little girl said, "Why no!" "Good!" I said. "YOU were spreading sunshine, and HE was spreading thunderstorms!" Nodding firmly with self-satisfaction, the child smiled and continued on her way to class. Just an example of an everyday conversation in the halls of a primary school!

Too Sleepy To Be Silly!

Don't you just love to mess with kids? To joke around and carry on in a teasing manner? Well I do, but sometimes they're just not in the mood, as we grown-ups can relate to! The other morning, I had early morning bus duty at 7:10, and kids were trickling in in all stages of wakefulness. One ginger-haired first grader with a rare sober expression on his face sat down near me. I noticed that he had stylish new glasses, so I complimented him on them. Since they were black lined with white around the lenses, I said, "I love your new glasses! Those are ZEBRA glasses!" He jerked his head up and looked at me without smiling and shook his head. "Oh, they're not zebra glasses? Well they must be PIANO glasses." Again, he shook his head without a smile. "SOCCER BALL glasses?" I queried. "OREO glasses? NEWSPAPER glasses?" At this point the little fellow was all but rolling his eyes at me, which I would have understood under the circumstances. "They're not any kind of glasses," he said. "They're just plain glasses." "Okay," I said. "I get it. You're sleepy and really aren't in the mood to be silly, right?" Nodding his head, still without a glimmer of a smile, he said, "Right. I just want to be quiet right now." Well I guess there's bad news and good news in this tale. The bad news is that I apparently got on my little friend's very last nerve first thing in the morning, but the good news is that he stayed calm and polite and used an I-Message to tell me what he needed. This is something I stress with the students every year, so I guess it was good to see him put his knowledge to use!

No Self-Control Required!

We educators LOVE to see children applying what they've learned! Of course knowing what to do and actually doing it are two different things, and even grown-ups (at least THIS grown-up) struggle with that distinction. Well, the other day I was teaching first graders about the all-important discipline of self-control, which can be a struggle all through life. We talked about the difference in FEELING like doing something wrong, such as going back to sleep when the alarm goes off, and actually DOING it. One way causes trouble, and the other just makes us stronger. After reading a story about a classroom of animals who choose to practice self-control for a whole week, we danced to a zippy self-control song. At that point, I encouraged the children to stop, think, and do the right thing, even when they don't want to, and I hustled    them back to class, as it was 2:30 and the bell was about to ring. One freckle-faced girl with a cute pageboy haircut stopped me and said, "Miss Mimi, I know we're in a hurry, but I just wanted to tell you that I really didn't FEEL like standing up to dance, but I did it anyway." And she shot me a wide snaggle-toothed grin. "Well hallelujah, bless your soul, you were using self-control!" I enthused. And I gave her a big hug, since self-control wasn't required at that moment!

She Loves Her Mama!

As I talked with a blue-eyed first grader this morning, I felt my heart begin to melt. She comes to see me because her mom has serious health problems, and Mom wants her little girl to have some support at school. The child adores her mother and wants to do everything she can to help her. Well, at one point in the conversation, the child told me about their house having ants in the kitchen, which is something I can relate to, as it happens from time to time. Then, with her tiny little girl voice, she looked at me with her beautiful eyes, pointed to her front teeth, and said, "When this tooth and this tooth and this tooth and this tooth come out, I'm gonna get some money from the tooth fairy and help my mama pay somebody to get rid of those ants." What a sweet heart of gold this little girl has!

Care Bear to the Rescue

I had a sweet experience with an anxious little kindergarten boy this morning. When he came for his first staggered half day last week, he was distraught about leaving his mom. Although she did the right thing and turned him over to us as quickly as possible, he sobbed and begged for her for hours. This child didn't have to come back to school for another week, as kindergartners have staggered attendance for the first two weeks of school. This means that they come in groups of 4 or 5 children in order to learn the routines of school in a more relaxed setting. Unfortunately this little boy worried about coming back for most of the past week. Yesterday, his mom called and made a plan with the principal to help make today as positive as possible. She brought him to school about 30 minutes early, I met her at the entrance, and even though he clung to her for dear life, begging her not to go, she bravely gave him a kiss and moved on. As we walked down the hall toward the unhappy child's classroom, I carried a teddy bear. The boy and I went into the teacher's office, which is just off her classroom, and closed the door in order to have some privacy. Sitting on the floor together, I waited out the sobs, snuggling my bear, whom I named Care Bear. I told the sweet boy about how Care Bear used to be sad about kindergarten, too, because he wasn't used to it yet. He didn't know anybody in his class and was afraid the teacher might not be nice and that the work might be too hard and that he wouldn't have any friends. However, as Care Bear forced himself to be brave and made himself go to school one day and the next day and the next, he got used to it and started to be happy. I explained that now I use Care Bear to help other children who aren't used to school yet. At this point, the child had calmed down enough to listen and talk. Innocently, he looked up at me and asked, "Are you his mom?" "No," I said, "I'm not his mom, I'm just his friend. He helps me help children like you who are nervous about kindergarten." The little boy told me about the members of his family and how he felt about them, including his bossy big sister, and he explained the history of the pets he'd had, taking pains to educate me on the ins and outs of caring for hermit crabs. Then I helped him to see that he had 2 sides to himself: both a scared little boy and a big brave boy. He could choose which to be. After a while, he said he was ready to go join his class. Since he was still catching his breath in an effort not to cry, I asked him to wait until he could take 3 slow deep belly breaths. Then I took him in to talk with his teacher, who welcomed him warmly. Care Bear stayed around in case he was needed, and he did come in handy from time to time during the morning. Just before lunch time, which was the end of the kindergarten day today, I went and got my brave little friend. As promised, I took him to see a couple of staff members he wanted to visit, and they rejoiced with him over his efforts and more successful day. We moved on to my room, where we looked at all the toys I have and decided to play "Don't Wake Daddy" together. Then I took the little boy to lunch with his class, and afterwards he was able to be happily reunited with his mom. Helping anxious children adjust to school is never easy. Each case is different, and I walk on eggshells every single time, knowing I don't have a magic wand. Next Tuesday, this little man will have to come back full time. I anticipate tears and fears, but hopefully today's success has started a foundation of security for this child as he begins his educational experience.

My Helper

In my second grade classes, I'm beginning a unit on emotion management. As I started teaching a lesson last week, I reviewed what we had learned about problem-solving and anger management in first grade. We discussed taking belly breaths, counting backward, clicking off our stormy thoughts and onto sunny ones, and bossing ourselves around. At this point, I was ready to introduce the new lesson. Now as all primary grade educators know, young children often raise their hands way too often, frequently introducing a point that has nothing to do with the lesson in progress. Therefore, when I saw a hand fly up just as I was getting into the meat of our current lesson, I almost ignored it. Yet, this particular little curly-haired boy was one of my "frequent flyers" last year, and I felt a nudge to let him speak. What a helpful instinct! The freckle-faced child grinningly said, "Miss Mimi, I bossed myself around today!" "Great!" I said. "Tell us about it!" "Well," he continued. "I was about to drink more water from my bottle, but I said to myself, 'No! It'll make you have to go to the bathroom all day!' " And he wagged his bossing finger at himself as he said it! Hooray! Children always love hearing first-person stories from their peers, and we educators LOVE the fact that our lessons are being applied in our students' everyday lives.  What a great way to kick off the lesson! 

A Helping Hand

I encountered a distraught child in an early morning kindergarten class about a month ago. She spoke absolutely no English and had just been enrolled at our school. Although her teacher sat beside her and did her best to comfort the weeping child, even going so far as to get help from another Korean-speaking child from a different classroom, the little girl was inconsolable for the half hour that I was there. Putting myself in her place, I could certainly understand how afraid and alone she must feel.

Fast forward to the same class this morning. The child is happy, attentive, cooperative, and well-loved by her classmates. 

Each week, the students take turns getting to hold puppets in guidance class while I read them a story. Today was the new girl's first turn, she wasn't sure of the procedure of coming up and choosing her puppet, and I didn't know how best to communicate this information to her. Seeing my uncertainty, a long-haired, petite little girl in her class asked if she could help, and I gratefully said yes.

Taking her hand, the helper led the Korean child up to the front of the room to help her select a puppet from about 10 different choices. One by one, the "assistant" held the puppets up for the new girl to see. Looking at the shark, the new girl shook her head, looking somber. She did the same with the leopard, tiger, buffalo, alligator, brown bear, and polar bear. Just as I was beginning to think I'd made a mistake by putting this little girl on the spot in front of all her peers, she saw the Care Cat puppet. With a big old grin, she grabbed the cat, squeezed him to her chest, and walked back to her spot on the carpet, smiling all the way.

                                      . 

I looked at the teacher, she looked at me, and we both had tears in our eyes. Kindergarten children almost always have the kindest little hearts and are pros at showing unconditional love, regardless of race, looks, ability level, wealth, or anything else! What important lessons they teach me on a daily basis, and I'm ever so grateful!

"Don't Worry, Miss Mimi!"

Since I began teaching guidance classes yesterday, I confessed to my first group of students that I was scared I'd forgotten how to teach during the summer. (That's the truth...I feel nervous at the beginning of every school year!) Anyway, after hearing me say this, a little golden-haired girl walked up to me with a solemn expression, touched me gently on the wrist, and said sincerely, "Don't worry, Miss Mimi. We won't make fun of you." Who needs to fret when young children have your back?

The "Goodest" Teacher

As I was helping kids find their classrooms on this first full day of school, I spotted my little spitfire from one of last year's kindergarten classes. In her typical fashion, she was bouncing down the hallway with her curly brown pony tail swinging. "Hey Miss Mimi!" she called. Scooping her up in a hug, I said, "Hey!! Welcome back! Who's your teacher this year?" Only slowing down a tad, she looked to the side, cocked her head, flashed her newly snaggle-toothed grin, and said, "The goodest teacher in the school!" "What's her NAME?" I asked. "The goodest teacher in the school," she repeated. "Miss Bwuchey (Bruchey)." Well I'm thrilled to see that this little character and her teacher are hitting it off so well at this point,  for surely it behooves "Miss Bwuchey" to be loved and adored by this feisty child! We all know that if a child loves her teacher, she's much more likely to want to please her, so let's hope these two stay CLOSE!

Affection Galore

Friday was our beginning of the year Meet Your Teacher Day. As I sat at my table working that afternoon, I heard a voice from the hallway blurt excitedly, "She's here! She's in there!" The door burst open and in bopped one of my favorite second graders from last year. Since he has now graduated from our primary school to the intermediate, I didn't expect to see him again. I jumped up to meet him as he threw his arms around my waist and said, "I MISSED you!" At this point I noticed that he was actually crying. Taking his glasses off, he swiped at the tears. Obviously this little freckle-faced guy and I were thick last year...I even gave him the title of my second grade Mr. Personality! After a brief visit, he and his family moved on down the hallway in search of his little brother's new teacher. About half an hour later, he reappeared with a picture he'd made for me, enclosed in an envelope. He even punched holes at the top in hopes that I'd hang it in my room to remember him by.

While I was enthusing over the note he'd written, his 3 year old sister hopped up in the chair with me. Turns out she had "written" a letter of her own. After I helped her get it out of the envelope, she unfolded it to show me her "words", which were just a few pencil marks. "Do you want me to READ it to you?" she asked. Of course I couldn't pass up this opportunity, so I eagerly listened as she "read". "Dear ________, ", she said, inserting her own name. "I love you very much. You are SO beautiful! Love, Daddy" Realizing that she'd just "written" herself a love note from her daddy touched my heart, and since Dad was standing out in the hallway, I was able to invite him in to hear her "read" it again! Isn't it wonderful to see little children who can both express and receive affection? This was just one of the highlights of seeing the children return to school on Friday!

Pet Teacher, Indeed!

Finally the day arrived, the day teachers had been preparing for during the last few weeks. Many parents, and especially their children, had been eagerly anticipating the beginning of the school year, which is kicked off with a sneak peek that we call Meet Your Teacher Day. Since my room is near the school entrance, I was a greeter for most of the day, hugging and welcoming and helping people find their new classrooms. At one point I wandered into the foyer and spotted one of our returning students, a first grader who was holding onto her mom's waist patiently as the adults around her socialized. Suddenly, the little girl, who was wearing a pink floral top and sparkly headband, saw me walk in her direction. With widened eyes and a gasp of surprise, she pulled on her mom and blurted, "Mom, Mom, it's my PET teacher!!" Hugs and giggles followed as we said hello and welcome to each other. Now in case you're wondering, the child didn't mean that I was her pet teacher in the sense of being her FAVORITE. She meant that I'm the teacher who brings a bag of puppets to her classroom throughout the year. Although it would be nice to be her favorite, it's very rewarding to know that I'm able to teach kids important life skills in a way that's fun and memorable to them. Seeing all those shining, enthusiastic faces has gotten me pumped for a new school year! Best wishes to all the educators and parents and children out there. May your school year be both happy and productive!