The above thought might not be anything extraordinary or immensely inspiring, but it's made an impact on my classroom throughout my career. As the end of this year draws near, I can't help but think about the appropriateness of those words. My kids will leave me soon, thinking of themselves as ready-to-be second graders, but I also hope they leave first grade thinking of themselves as mathematicians, scientists, artists, and authors, to name just a few. That's what I've been calling them from day one. Sure, they hear me say "kiddos" a lot, but when it's time to get into character throughout the day, their name changes. Their name becomes....
reader
writer
thinker
editor
revisor
mathematician
poet
scientist
artist
historian
meteorologist
geographer
etc.
Your students are going on to second grade more than ready and having had a year's worth of getting into character!
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Lori, I sure do hope they see themselves as all those things as they head to 2nd!
DeleteAs usual...Great food for thought! So many hats to wear!! Don't you wish each day, each week, each year was longer? Each moment we have with our scholars is such a gift!
ReplyDeleteJenny
Owl Things First
Jenny...scholars! That's another great name to give them. :)
DeleteWell said my friend. When you call them by name, writer, mathematician, artist, they can envision this for themselves. I like the idea of planting these dream seeds.
ReplyDeleteMarie, I like that you call them dream seeds. Well put!
DeleteWhat a wonderful quote! The last part of your post made me smile:)
ReplyDeleteConnie Anderson:)
www.welcometofirstgraderoom5.blogspot.com
Connie, the list made me smile too. I'm sure I missed some really good names.
DeleteI try and do that, too, but I'm not very good at it:) Usually I remember to say "Authors" but that's about it!
ReplyDelete❀Barbara❀
Grade ONEderful
Ruby Slippers Blog Designs
Barb, well I'd say authors is a good one not to forget. :)
DeleteSince blocks are so popular in my room this year, I frequently refer to my architects and engineers. Thanks for another thoughtful post.
ReplyDeleteLyn
Mrs. Goff's Pre-K Tales
Lyn, I like those names too!
DeleteDefinitely a small thing that could really change their way of thinking. :)
ReplyDeleteNotJustChild'sPlay
Miss Trayers, you said it perfectly!
DeleteI think your list makes a great list poem! I have just ended our poetry unit and list poems were the favorite, and your paper a big hit once again!
ReplyDeleteTammy
Tammy, you're very right. It would make a great poem. I'm glad to hear the poetry paper is a hit!
DeleteI LOVE this! We sit "scholar" style in the classroom. Going out to look for the book your saying acme from.
ReplyDeleteLaurie
Chickadee Jubilee
Laurie, I really need to add that word to my collection. Love it!
DeleteI am an art teacher from Denmark. We dont have the same grade system, as you do, and I would like to know, how old are the children, when they start first grade?
ReplyDeleteHere they start at six in grade 0. So first graders are second year, and they are about 7 years old. :-)
You have a lot of nice ideas here. I love that kind of inspiration.
I've started my own art blog about a month ago, and I think, its a fantastic world! :-)
Lisbeth, our first graders are six when they start 1st grade. Good luck with your art blog. It is a wonderful world here!
DeleteThank you very much. :-) We dont have that many danish art teacher blogs, so I read a lot of blogs from other countries. I needed to know the age for comparison with my own students.
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