My First Selfie

The rare time when I say go 'head,
No matter how I look,
Forget the past and what I've said,
I like my picture took.

Couldn't find my glasses,
Didn't even shave,
Slower than molasses,
And yet, I'm feeling brave.

The rest have gone to get stuff done ,
This selfie is my first,
Just she and me to have some fun,
Her smile makes me burst.

The day has made me young again,
Some zip left in my zap,
I think we'll run some more and then,
'Twill be TIME FOR A NAP!

A Comforting Reminder

I have to do it.  I have to make them read.  I have to set the timer for one minute.  I start the timer with their first utterance, and when the alarm has sounded that their time to read is up, I set it again.  

After the setting of the second minute on the timer, I ask them to tell all they can about what they have just read and I start the timer again. They rise to the challenge.  Sometimes they leave an opening for some instruction, and sometimes they astound me with what they can comprehend and explain.

The kids look for and need a routine by this point in the school year and treat this little exercise as such, asking enthusiastically, "Am I gonna read today, Mr. B.?"

One day last week, a little girl had read and was poised to begin her retell.  I started the timer and she began rattling off her details like a pro.  Then I began to cough.  It wasn't an out-of-control cough, just one of those tickles and periodic coughs that seemed to happen too many times in that minute.  The little reader didn't bat an eye and was still telling what she knew as she got out of her chair, patted me on the back to stop my coughing, then returned to her seat and finished the task at hand.

Sometimes I just don't know what has happened to this generation of kids.  The Nickelodeon Television Network has tried to make me believe that kids rule and that parents and teachers are merely weak, laughable second bananas. Many times, kids don't have the high regard they should when they are interacting with adults.  This incident has reminded me, however, that those who lack respect are not the majority.  Thank you, little one, I needed that reminder...