I started working with one of the first graders in my practicum class for our "Student Assessment Portfolio". She is six years old. I asked her if she would like to help with me with my school assignment. She was not one I was able to use for our Science class assignment, so she was tickled pink I asked her. She responded, "Sure!!" She was so excited I asked her to help me. I could tell she felt very special I did not ask anyone else, just her. I explained I will be working with her for a little while each time I come in and we are going to focus on our reading and writing. After listening, with a huge smile on her face, she said, "Oh, that sounds just perfect." It will be a facial expression I will never forget.
After lunch she came up to me and said, "Aren't you supposed to pull me back to work with you at the back table?" She did not want me to forget I asked her, and she really wanted to help me. I said, "Of course, can you get your pencil?" We met at the back table. I told her, "I have a list a words I am going to read and I want you to spell them the way you think they are spelled." In response she said, "A spelling test?" So I explained it is like a spelling test, except I am not going to be taking a grade. It was only going to be used for my school assignment. She thought this sounded good. We began the assessment. I read the words. When we would come to a word she did not know she would ask, "How do you spell it?" After I told her just to spell the way she thought she would ask, "Is it an o or a?" I was trying not to laugh at her, but she was just cute. All she wanted was to spell all the words right. I do not blame her for asking!!
Have you heard other "darnedest things" come from the students you are working with?
