BlogsPre-K to 8AdmissionPrimary Grades
Pre-K: Much More Fun Than 'Blah, Blah, Blah'
Feb 24, 2012 3:26 PM
By Beth Smith '87 - Faculty
I am often reminded of Charlie Brown's infamous teacher's voice - you remember, the monotone one you could never understand. I feel like that sometimes when I teach. I wonder, did they really understand what I was telling them? Did what I said or the story I told really matter to them and make a difference? Well, I do know one thing... Pre-K students listen and listen well!
Just yesterday, we were talking about the American flag - what it looked like, why there were 50 stars and 13 stripes, etc. Then we went outside. My students spotted the flag on the American Legion right away. They wanted to know why there was another flag with the American flag we had talked about. Then they turned around and saw our school's flag waving in the breeze. More questions immediately ensured - what is that other flag, why is it there? Then someone else shouted out, "You must be careful with our flag, you must always show respect to the flag, you must take off your cap at a baseball game when you sing to the flag."
Connections - they are being made every single day with these young minds. I love it when they realize that what we talk about really matters in the world. I love it when they jump up and tell me about the time they were at the Georgia Bulldogs game and heard the National Anthem. It just brightens my day and widens my smile when I see those light bulbs going off constantly!
So if you think your children or students just hear Charlie Brown's teacher's voice when you are talking to them, think again! They are listening and waiting for just the right moment - that moment when everything comes together and a connection is made. Listen, watch and you will see light bulbs of life go off each and every day! It is much more fun than blah, blah, blah, blah.
Just yesterday, we were talking about the American flag - what it looked like, why there were 50 stars and 13 stripes, etc. Then we went outside. My students spotted the flag on the American Legion right away. They wanted to know why there was another flag with the American flag we had talked about. Then they turned around and saw our school's flag waving in the breeze. More questions immediately ensured - what is that other flag, why is it there? Then someone else shouted out, "You must be careful with our flag, you must always show respect to the flag, you must take off your cap at a baseball game when you sing to the flag."
Connections - they are being made every single day with these young minds. I love it when they realize that what we talk about really matters in the world. I love it when they jump up and tell me about the time they were at the Georgia Bulldogs game and heard the National Anthem. It just brightens my day and widens my smile when I see those light bulbs going off constantly!
So if you think your children or students just hear Charlie Brown's teacher's voice when you are talking to them, think again! They are listening and waiting for just the right moment - that moment when everything comes together and a connection is made. Listen, watch and you will see light bulbs of life go off each and every day! It is much more fun than blah, blah, blah, blah.
