Day 920

These four don't have to speak with words. Their eyes and demeanor say volumes! Today, all of them seemed to be saying, "Where is Jimmy? He was here yesterday and WE WANT HIM BACK!!!" The explanation was not understood, but a quick treat altered their mood! They are so funny!

Today, at Oxbow, Ranger and I read with four different classrooms. The book was by Eve Bunting (one of my favorites) and there were a number of similes in the text. Before each reading, I chatted with individual first grade classrooms about similes and how they make stories much more interesting. We shared a few like, "Ranger is as soft as a cotton ball," and they went on to listen as I read the book. Stopping each time a simile presented itself in the text, I would highlight the language concept and EACH TIME there were more than a few blank stares in my direction. Oh well, perhaps the seeds were planted for future writing creations of their own.

As Ranger and I were leaving for the day, one of the teachers called me over and shared that, after Ranger and I had left, the class had Writer's Workshop. During that part of the day, one little girl came up to the teacher and said, look what I wrote..."The swimming pool was as beautiful as a rainbow"... perhaps the lesson had hit its mark after all!

Much like the Goldens and my sweet first graders, even if it seems that a comment or lesson has not sunk in, perhaps it is only treading water until all of the synapses click and a new concept becomes part of the repertoire. That is a beautiful thing indeed!

So...teach those lessons when there is a teachable moment. It might be a literary element or a true life lesson. It might come from a book or by the way you live your life. Even if those observing might have that 'deer caught in the headlights' look, you never know when it just might sink in and help someone live life to a greater degree.

Unfortunately, the Goldens need to revisit ANY lesson SO MANY times before it penetrates their noggins...especially Sammy! However, in the case of my pups, their cuteness and sweet attitudes cut them more than enough slack!