I am posting some poetry in hopes that it will motivate me to come back and write more. Most of these are from the spring of 2008, when I took a writing class and cautiously stepped into the poetry world. I never knew how much I'd love it! I'll just start with a couple for today. I had forgotten about the first one and it almost brought tears to my eyes when I read it just now. It was written about my 1st grade special ed students when I taught a self-contained class. I think much of my actions are the same now (I hope!) but it does make me miss self-contained a bit...I had so much more time with them - I miss those daily hello's and goodbyes at the beginning and end of the day.
What Really Matters
Do they get it?
Do they understand why some letters have multiple sounds?
Do they know which five letters are vowels, and why they are different than consonants?
Can their minds stretch to capture the difference between to, too, and two?
Is there any way to explain to them what a proper noun is,
And why “I” is always capitalized, but “a” only some of the time?
Do they get it?
They smile when I point out their new shirt.
They wear that same shirt two or three times in a week
Because they know I like it.
They come to school ready to show me a new haircut
And I know that my comment of, “You’re looking good!”
Means the world to them.
My careful observation – they get it.
Does it make any sense to them that the equal sign
Is sometimes made up of one line, and other times of two?
Can they discriminate between fifteen and their made up “fiveteen”?
Do they see why I tell them the number they see is not 41, but 14?
Does it confuse them when I say add, plus, take away, and subtract?
Do they get it?
I casually rub their head or play with their hair as I walk by their desks.
I put my arm around them when they come close to me.
I give high fives and huge smiles to congratulate them.
I say hello to each student – by name – as they enter every single morning.
They randomly come up during the school day to give me a hug.
I stroke their head, touch their back, or give each a hug before they go;
They know they are not allowed to leave without saying goodbye.
My touch – they get it.
Do they understand the weather?
Life cycles?
Food chains?
Forests, swamps, and deserts?
Do they get it?
They know my expectations
Academically
Socially
They know I will not take excuses
On behavior or their work
They see my tough love.
They get it.
What matters more?
Expectations, follow-through, and love?
Or skills that may get them through life?
Can one succeed without the other?
My love – they get it.
Change of pace - the next one is short and lighthearted...
