I thank the powers that be each and every day for my job. I know I’ve said that over and over again in this space, but it is particularly true as of late. I am fortunate that I can walk into a job I love and carefully place my troubles in my closet and face the children with a smile.
It’s my happy place. The children in my classroom are curious, energetic, enthusiastic, mischievous, innocent, naive, and thankfully know next to nothing about current events. (I only wish we could all say the same.)
And so today I offer you the opportunity to lay your troubles on the table, sit back and enjoy a bit of time in the land of “everything is good.” I only wish we could stay here indefinitely.
We have many groups of children who leave the room each day for a short period of time for various extra learning help, and among them is a boy named Jack. There are three students who attend ESL classes each day, three who attend the ABC club and several more that leave for speech.
I explained to the class why the children were leaving, and ended by discussing the ESL class: “They are going to English as a second language
class. They are learning how to speak English.”
This particular discussion occurred several weeks ago, and we have settled into a nice routine.
Yesterday, while working in our “Kid Writing” journals, Gabi shot up out of her seat and shouted, “Mrs. Patrick! Jack can speak English! He can say my name! Jack, what’s my name?”
“Gabi!” he shouted with a smile, clear as a bell.
Gabi said enthusiastically, “Mrs. Patrick, he’s learned a second language. Sure, he can say my name and nothing else, but he can speak English now.”
I explained carefully, “Jack has always spoken English. He can speak only English. He just has a little speech problem.”
And now, I offer the latest installment in the Book of Kindergartenese. (Pay close attention, because there might be a pop quiz later in the week. )
Gravel: “She did such a good job singing! Gravel! Gravel!”
Drowsing Box: “Can I read the books in my drowsing box?”
Suregot: “I suregot my coat.” Orgot and begot are also acceptable versions of the word suregot.
Bee-kashun: “You might not be in school if you’re on a bee-kashun.”
Mapointment: “Mrs. Patrick, I’m late acuz I had a doctor mapointment.” Acuz: See above.
Teeter Totters: “Are dere teeter totters wif lunch today?”
Decwime: “I don’t have telling sharing. I decwime.” Recline, meclime, aclimb and decrime are also acceptable.
Furnace: “Can I bring in my furnace? It keeps my milk cold.”
Amember: “I can’t amemeber nuffin.” Nuffin: See above.
Bwag: “I pwedge awegice to da bwag.” And other words too numerous to mention.
Peanuts a tenshun: “Mrs. Patrick, I wasn’t peanuts a tenshun. What did you say?”
“Are there Chrissmas or commas? Are there presents or promise? Are there kisses or comets? Are there keshup or comics?” (Questions or comments, people; questions or comments. Seems so simple, doesn’t it?)
And as I look out at the sea of adorable faces each day, I can’t help but think about their futures. I hope they maintain their curiosity, their energy, enthusiasm, sense of mischief, innocence and that they are always safe from harm.
I also hope that they always remember to do the right thing ... because it’s the right thing to do.
Debbie Marsh Patrick is very proud to be a teacher in the State College Area School District. She can be reached at drp11@scasd.org, and writes a CDT blog called “Notes from the Teacher.”
