It is back to school time. Brook @ Red Head Revelries sent her baby to Kindergarten this week. Naturally, the week has been filled with highs and lows. Yesterday she posted a list of quotes from the first week of school which made me laugh and get a little teary. It also brought to mind some long forgotten Kindergarten quotes.
A lifetime ago I taught Kindergarteners. I entered teaching an idealist knowing I would not have favorites, but then the kids showed up. It didn’t take long to realize that part of the human condition is that we attach with some people on a deeper level than others. So, my new goal became to conduct my classroom in a manner that was so fair that no one could deduce my favorites. And since there is something to love in every child, I think that I did pretty well at reaching that goal. Still, there was one little guy named Christopher who stole my heart. My favorite quotes from my year in Kindergarten are both from him.
We had been talking about artists and masterpieces; to close out the unit we painted our own great works. When Christopher’s was done we analyzed it together. He explained what he was going for in his piece, and I asked him what he had named it. ”Named it?” he asked, and I explained that the great artists named their works. A look of confusion filled his face and he tipped his head to one side thinking deeply. Finally, he announced, “Well, OK. I guess I ‘ll call him Rick.”
Christmas rolled around and I decided to have Santa visit our Christmas party. I rented a suit and conned my twenty-four year old, super thin husband into playing the jolly old elf. He had been involved in several things with the class by this point and knew the kids well enough to pull off the “sees you when you’re bad or good” part if not the physical look of the big guy.
The magic moment arrived. Santa himself filled the doorway to the classroom. Well, he didn’t really fill it so much as he was standing there in the doorway. The class went silent, the kids looking at him in wonder. Santa let loose with a hearty Ho Ho Ho. As the other kids gathered round Santa in welcome, Christopher sidled up to me and whispered, “What are we gonna do if the real Santa shows up while Bill’s here?”
Happy back-to-school everybody! And if you know a mom like Brook who is sending her little one to school for the first time, be gentle with her!
Cute stories! I didn’t know you were a teacher for a time! Love learning new things about friends!
Teacher….which led to School Social Worker….then home with the kids until my work with the children at church. I love Kindergarten!
These were so cute an hilarious. I think it’s great {sometimes} how uninhibited children are, they just say exactly what’s on their mind no matter what. And thanks for the sweet words and for linking up today. You’re the best, have a GREAT week.
Yes, there is the occasional speaking of the mind that leaves you longing for the days before they could talk! This was so fun. Thanks, Brook.
So sweet! Forwarding to a young friend of mine who taught kindergarten for a few years before her babies came!
To this day Kindergarteners remain some of my favorite people on earth!
That’s just too adorable. I used to teach pre-k and loved being with the kids and seeing them grow. They do come out with the funniest things sometimes!
And one of the perks of teaching that age group…..you never have a shortage of rainbow and heart pictures for your frig!
Cute stories. I so admire Kindergarten teachers. And if I might add, Lord be gentle with all us moms.
And imagine if moms were more gentle with themselves and other moms!
That’s great! Nice start to the morning.
Good! It made me miss those days and those kids (who probably have kids of their own now!).
Oh, those little ones DO say the darndest things…my four year-old has few winners to her credit already! These were fun – loved the Santa one. I would’ve cracked up on the spot.
And this little guy was so adorable, freckled nose and scratchy voice. He had my heart.