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Parent Visitation

As part of a Parent Visitation day, I had the chance to visit Benjamin’s kindergarten classroom last week for an hour or so. 

It was fun. Each time that I’m in an elementary school, I think about how much I miss it, how much I loved teaching and being part of a school community. Visiting Ben as he went about his school afternoon was even more fun. His teachers didn’t plan anything special, no out-of-the-ordinary lessons. Parents got to be big, old flies on the wall (or in seats at the side of the room) as the kids went about their daily routine.

I liked it. After the initial, “Mommy! You’re here!” Ben went about his day as if I wasn’t really there (or so I think). He’d look up and give me the occasional smile, but other than that he got on with his work. It was neat watching Ben be independent. I loved listening to him as he interacted with his classmates, and my heart soared when he helped one little girl find the word for blue in Spanish (which, incidentally, I did not know and is azul).

I peeked in on Ben’s Spanish class, which he loves and talks about all the time, then headed back to his kindergarten classroom for a Thanksgiving sight-word activity.  I loved that his Spanish teacher didn’t have any desks in her classroom. Instead, students each have a mat to sit on, and they do their work stretched out on the floor. Ben’s teacher explained that, as a special’s teacher, she instructs everyone from K to grade five. Finding desks for that range of sizes was impossible, so she took them out. It works out well, she said. Children who need the chance to wiggle and stretch have it, in her classroom. I love seeing good teaching in practice!

I was also amazed at how well all the children listen to both teachers. We’re a few months into the school year, and classroom routines are very clearly established. Each teacher asked just once, and the children were able to follow series of multi-step directions. They each knew what needed to be done, and did it. Ben included. It was magic.  

If only it were the same at home.

Later that day, after I had asked Ben for the third time to put the forks and knives on the table for dinner, I was completely exasperated!

“Ben, why is it that your teachers only have to ask you to do something one time, and I have to ask you at least three times!”

Ben looked up, after having finally made his way to the cutlery drawer, “Well Mommy, I don’t want to make my teachers mad.”

Um, huh? What about Mommy being angry? Something is wrong here.

Look, I want Ben to save up all his good behavior for school. That being said, a little more listening at home (the first time!!) would be much appreciated.  Especially when I’ve seen what he is capable of. 

I guess we both learned something at school last week!

xo Naomi

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