Wanted to
share a sweet story with you that happened thanks to your letter vests!
A little boy
who lived in a refugee camp from Darfur joined my classroom two weeks ago. Not
a word of English - clearly terrified and has never seen anything like what we
have in our classroom (or city, or country!). It must look and sound like
another planet! Very long story short, I have been allowing him lots of freedom
to explore our room. My students have been amazing, as only 5-6 year olds can
be! Since crying silently by the door all of day 1, he has made a little bit of
progress every day. Sat for snack day 3. Finally went to the cafeteria for lunch
(instead of with me) day 6. etc.
Yesterday,
day 9, we were doing a lesson with our brand-new, hot off the presses letter
vests. The way the kids would get their letter was to pull from a giant
"mystery grab bag" (laundry bag) of objects, one for each letter,
such as a stuffed elephant, little bottle of milk, penguin, umbrella, quarter,
etc. After telling us the name of the object, letter it begins with and sound,
the students would go to my aide and get their letter.
Well, don't
ya know, our new friend, was watching from afar. Before you know it, he
had quietly made his way over to the carpet and sat down to wait his turn. He
had never joined us for a group lesson on the carpet. The boy next to him
exclaimed excitedly, “Look who’s on the carpet!" We all clapped and
cheered!
Thank you,
Dr. Jean, for engaging, fun ways to learn - even for a nervous little
guy who has no idea what we are saying!
Phyllis Doerr
K Teacher