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Loading ...Archive for April, 2008
Reading Restaurant
The parents of first-graders at our local elementary school are invited to a classroom “Reading Restaurant” one evening each spring. My first was with Lois, and being literal-minded, I thought the kids were reading to us while we shared snacks. My bad. There’s no food, but it’s way more fun than that anyway, thanks to their creative teachers. (I love having my kids in good public schools. I could never home school, because I am pro-life.)
Each teacher created a restaurant theme. Julia’s (sainted) Ms. Jones chose her “Japanese Garden.” I remember Hannah’s was Ms. Hernandez’s Hacienda, and and Lois’ was Ms. Satterwhite’s Western Cafe. The kids go into the classroom as we parents queue outside the door, waiting for our party to be called. As I heard “Woodworth – party of one,” somber-faced Julia emerged, extended her elbow to me and walked us to her table. Each classroom table was covered with a red butcher paper “cloth,” and topped with a Chinese take-out container filled with uncooked white rice. Ms. Jones placed a small pile of white rice by each container; my maternal reflex stifled its desire to grab a dishrag and wipe it up.
Our menu included four courses, which I had to order in sequence. Appetizer: “From Then to Now.” Salad: “I’m a Catepillar.” Main Course: “Guided Reading Book.” Dessert: “My Family” and “Squiggle Books.”
Julia’s teacher helped each student create “From Then to Now.” Look at this illustrated writing sample from the first month of school. Translation: “Mom Dad I love. I go to first grade. I am so happy.”
Now, wowsers – look at this one from last week. Translation: “My favorite stuffed animal is Webkins. Webkins are fun. You can pick your Webkins at the Webskins store.” She and Hannah play Webkins online by the hour. This child who had never seen a keyboard two years ago logs herself in – enters her own codes – plays her own games.
Julia read “I’m a Catepillar” with nary a hitch. I found it a richer, deeper tome than the Guided Reading Book, which chronicled a teddy bear’s trip to the zoo. I also thought it more appropriate for Julia, who, in many ways, has also slipped her (old) skin.
I’d never seen a “Squiggle Book” before. Basically – each student completes a picture and writes a story based on the pre-printed “squiggle.” Julia saw balloons in these squiggles, and wrote: “It is a balloon. Balloons can fly. Ballons are in colors. Some people let go of the ballons.” Other pages with different squiggles featured completed pictures and stories about clouds, faces, dragons and hearts.
At evening’s end, I was handed a “doggie bag” – a Powerpoint presentation about family Julia had created in class. Powerpoint – yes, they’re first-graders. I was also reminded to “tip my server” two hugs, which I glady supplied. The service was so superlative, I threw in a kiss, too.
We’re coming up on our second “Sisters’ Day” soon – the two-year anniversary of Juila’s homecoming. Keith and I did a ton of reading before we traveled, learning all we could to help us all attach to each other. Now – she reads to us.
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