You should have seen me, rounding up thirty third graders like a pro. I’ve decided that there’s really not that much to teaching elementary kids after all. It’s just a matter of getting through that first day.
It’s all the same kids, so I feel like I know them already. Makeup girl, it turns out, really isn’t so bad, and builds a nice clay, gingerbread house. Even the shy, cross-eyed girl who sits next to my son, who didn’t say a single word to me on Friday, opened right up and almost cracked a smile in my direction. And I became an almost instant hit with a small group of girls when they discovered my much-coveted talent for attaching clay chimneys! And even Austin, the boy who reminds me of a 100 pound caterpillar, needs my help, although I’m convinced he would have done just fine if he hadn’t spent so much time singing Mr. Roboto.
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto
Like most of us, it seemed to be the only line he knew. I picked up his rolling pin and gently tapped him on the back of the head.
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto
Mata ah-oo hima de
Domo arigat, Mr. Robot
Himitsu wo shiri tai
Much better. I was reaching my teaching stride. Really getting into it.
I moved back to shy girl’s side. I could see her tiny biceps, smaller then the rolling pin itself, shaking as she pushed with all her might into the unmoving clay. “Need any help?” Blink, blink. I took it as a yes, although I guess it could just have easily meant ‘don’t bonk me’. Together we whipped a roof into place. “Do you want a chimney?” Blink, blink. “Which side?” She couldn’t blink her way out of this one, I thought. I’d get her to talk yet. A tiny finger, no bigger around then a new pink crayon, pointed to where we’d work. “Good choice!” I no doubt remind her of a giant.
And then in no time at all it was all over. The room was put back into shape, the new centerpiece a table filled with crooked and drooping clay gingerbread houses. Success! The bell rang and everyone raced out the door, no doubt searching for the nearest bag of sugar.
Tomorrow: The Grand Train Adventure! The kids will be a cinch. I’m just wondering if the conductor yells All Aboard!