Henry David Thoreau wrote: " The Mass of men, lead lives of quiet Desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city, you go into the desperate country and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats".
Children ask teachers the most interesting questions, pay close attention to what we say, and observe us closely. They are also extremely creative and generous.
A while back, a second-grade girl asked if I was married. I said yes, and I have been happily married for 40 years. Then she followed up, "Why don't you wear your wedding ring?" (-:
I explained that I have tiny fingers that swell up in the morning and become less swollen later in the day. Over the years, I have lost five gold wedding rings. After the fifth one, my wife said, "This is costing us a fortune...No more wedding rings for you, old man."
Now, that seemed to take care of it that day. Two weeks later her teacher brought her to see me. She said A has a gift for you. She showed me one of those rings kids make with beads, it was elastic.
I said wow, you made a nice ring for yourself. She said, it is not for me. The ring is for you, Dr. Turner. I know you love your wife, daughter, and your dog Toast, because you talk about them to us a lot. Especially, when you share silly Dad Jokes. You say... I am going to share this one at dinner tonight. So, I thought about your problem with wedding rings. Wedding rings are important. You can't lose this one.
You can bet your bottom last dollar that this ring will be on me in our Literacy Center for the rest of the semester. This is why I love this work. The kindness and generosity of children have no limits. Much like the generosity of teachers.
There is the data that counts, and then there is the data that really matters. The data that really matters, informs my thinking that 7-year-olds listen, care, and are natural problem solvers.
See the wonder, not the test score, Dr. Jesse P. Turner
CCSU Literacy Center Director
If you like to listen to the song that inspired my morning walk this morning...its Malvina Reynolds "Little Boxes" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5IKpHTEuY0
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