My mom was a teacher and you could count on hearing her say, "Out of the mouths of babes!" at least once a week. She loved coming home and telling funny stories about things her students did and said. I guess she would have blogged about it if blogs had been around during her teaching career. So here are a few stories for you mom!
______________________________________________________
As most educators would tell you, comprehending what one reads is just as important as being able to decode words - if not more important. There are many strategies taught in the primary grades to help students understand what they are reading. Having students learn to infer or read between the lines is one such strategy. This was one of the strategies that my students would be working on during the early days of spring.
For primary aged students inferencing is quite abstract. Some get it while others struggle to figure out what it is they are suppose to be doing. During the first few lessons about this reading strategy I told them that it was like reading between the lines. We took a piece of text and wrote it on chart paper with double spacing. I explained that on the blank lines there was information that we can't see but we know is there. We read the text and used clues from the author's words and what we already knew about the subject to fill in the blank lines. I modeled and over the next few weeks the students practised with partners and became very good at inferring. I don't know if the success was due to the my teaching or because of the connection little Sally made during that first lesson.
The discussion went something like this:
Teacher: ... and so there are blank spaces that we as readers need to fill in... it is our job to add to the story or fill it up to make it better in our heads...
Sally: I think my mom inferences a lot with her doctor.
Teacher: Oh? I think you must be thinking of another word, Sally.
Sally: No... well yes, my mom calls it something else but it is the same I think.
Teacher: What does your mom call it?
Sally: She says she fills in her lines and it is, um, b...b.. bo something.
Teacher: (with a smile) Botox?
_____________________________________________________
It is funny how matter of fact children can be about subjects that might seem private to adults.
A few years later I was at a different school with a brand new set of grade 2 students. It was autumn and the school BBQ was only a few days away. The children were quite excited about the activities that were planned as well as showing off their classroom to their parents. I was also looking forward to meeting the moms and dads of my students.
As we lined up and awaited the recess bell I began to asks the students who was coming to the BBQ and if they were bringing someone special. Most kids said they were attending but there were a few who could not make it. All of them offered a reason.
I have a soccer game that night.
My mom just had a baby.
I don't really want to come.
My parents work shift work and I will be with my grandma.
My mom is getting Botox.
Seriously, I couldn't make this up!
