“It has been estimated that children from homes in which reading and writing are common activities have had over 1000 hours of informal reading and writing experiences before beginning school.”
~ Patricia Cunningham and Richard Allington
Now that we have closed our preschool, I finally had my first opportunity to help in Max’s classroom. It was overwhelming, the pleasure and opportunity to sit on the other side of the desk for my son at his preschool.
The PARENT - the soul who birthed the child, cries when no one knows, and feels so much pride, hurt, passion and love in both their belly and their heart.
At Max’s preschool we made a friendship quilt to donate to an orphanage of tsunami victims in Sri Lanka. We worked on our dexterity as we threaded needles of yarn and sewed on a big quilting rack pushing a needle in and out and back and forth. The pride on Max’s face was priceless as he stood up and glanced at me from across the classroom.
He smiled, I smiled, and we both knew how special the moment was. He waited patiently for his turn to sew with Mommy and he beamed at me as the two of us sewed in tandem.
Max was adamant about our moment sewing together, later citing it as the best part of his day when we did our ritualistic discussion “Best part/worst part” around the table at dinner.
Back 2 Back
On the same day, Mia’s teacher called me into the classroom for a one on one publishing conference. Mia had several pieces of writing collected in her Small Momments Book. They were pieces of work, ready to be published and adorned on the classroom’s wall of fame.
Señora invited me into the classroom after school to listen and observe. It was beautiful. The entire conference between student and teacher was in Spanish. They talked in tandem, discussing Mia’s writing and making last minute edits before the big celebration (publication day in the classroom).
I sat there in awe as Señora and Mia rattled for 10 straight minutes. I understood 50% of what they said, but that was only because I relied heavily on visual cues and teacher background knowledge.
Mia turned to me and said, “Look Mama. I made a bilingual book to help you learn more Spanish.”
Señora beamed and clapped her hands with the perfect “T’Dah!” upon on her face.
On one side of the page the essay was written in Spanish. The other side held English, clear as day. Ahhh… sweet relief; the beauty of dual immersion.
I knew the background of Mia’s essays because we had many discussions about what she was writing in class and she had brought home some homework that we did in Spanish to prep for her writing time.
Writer Dad and I have 2 times the homework every night. He reviews all the work in Spanish and I review the same concepts in English, but I had no idea the beautiful picture our munchable chunks would create. I just hope that each day we pay into the language bank will eventually add up to the accumulated interest of our undying effort.
This book was like the quilt we were making in Max’s classroom, each essay a piece of cloth sewn in two languages. Mia’s small moments created a beautiful timeline from the first day of first grade forward, and all from her perspective.
“See Mama?” she said, “I wrote in English for you.”
She did, and she did it very well.
Thank you to my children’s teachers. The gift to be on the other side of the desk was humbling, satisfying, and will remain with me forever. Max starts kindergarten next year and we will have 2 times the kindergarten to celebrate again.
Thank goodness.
Namaste,
Daisy
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Daisy,
I would love to see some picture of this book. And how awesome is that, your little Mia is published in two languages! Very cool indeed if I may say so myself.
Sal´s last blog post..On Your Mark, Get Set, SCRAM!
What an amazing education you are giving your children! They are learning how to look beyond themselves at such a young age. Your son’s heart is with disaster victims on the other side of the world. Your daughter is learning to communicate with others, and is not just expecting that everyone will learn to communicate with her.
The only way a parent can ever feel sane about sending their kids off to school is by feeling secure about the people who are leading them. It seems as if your children are blessed by loving teachers.
Randi´s last blog post..Cool Things we did in 2008
Beautiful, both stories!
I am my son’s teacher, and sometimes I wonder if I am doing the right thing - especially when I read about Mia’s dual immersion program and her success. The Evil Genius and I are learning together, a bit of Spanish, a little sign language, and I wrack my poor brain for all of the French, German, and Italian I can recall from childhood…which isn’t much. It’ll have to do.
Still…if I don’t have the same moments of pride that a traditional schooling family does, we have our days. It is a blessing to be part of the learning, the wholesale absorption of the world and all it holds, however we take part.
Congratulations on your children’s inner beauty, its reflection in their actions, and the love they obviously take, expand upon, and return to you - they are a fine reflection of your own beautiful soul.
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
Kyddryn´s last blog post..Little Compton, RI
Sal: It will be a pleasure to share it with you. I have a new writing project that I will be launching so that will take first seat for your viewing pleasure. Give sweet Bella a ^ 5.
Randi: We are fortunate to be a part of a learning community that isn’t afraid to be real, make mistakes, take risks, and persevere. My children and their teachers keep the bar high so we constantly grab and imagine what the next rung of the ladder will bring. Living and teaching has never been so real and exciting. Your son is blessed as well.
K: You are relentless and poetic. The Evil Genius is blessed to be schooled by someone with such fervor for intelligence, humor and life. I am always inspired by your adventures and ability to wear so many hats. You Rule the School young lady!
It’s amazing filling the role of both a mother and a teacher. The perspective and insight you have helps you connect with your kids. I loved your story and seeing through your mothering eyes. Your kids are so lucky to have you with them enjoying every moment.