Wanted toshare a sweet story with you that happened thanks to your letter vests!
A little boywho lived in a refugee camp from Darfur joined my classroom two weeks ago. Nota word of English - clearly terrified and has never seen anything like what wehave in our classroom (or city, or country!). It must look and sound likeanother planet! Very long story short, I have been allowing him lots of freedomto explore our room. My students have been amazing, as only 5-6 year olds canbe! Since crying silently by the door all of day 1, he has made a little bit ofprogress every day. Sat for snack day 3. Finally went to the cafeteria for lunch(instead of with me) day 6. etc.
Yesterday,day 9, we were doing a lesson with our brand-new, hot off the presses lettervests. The way the kids would get their letter was to pull from a giant"mystery grab bag" (laundry bag) of objects, one for each letter,such as a stuffed elephant, little bottle of milk, penguin, umbrella, quarter,etc. After telling us the name of the object, letter it begins with and sound,the students would go to my aide and get their letter.
Well, don'tya know, our new friend, was watching from afar. Before you know it, hehad quietly made his way over to the carpet and sat down to wait his turn. Hehad never joined us for a group lesson on the carpet. The boy next to himexclaimed excitedly, “Look who’s on the carpet!" We all clapped andcheered!
Thank you,Dr. Jean, for engaging, fun ways to learn - even for a nervous littleguy who has no idea what we are saying!
Phyllis Doerr
K Teacher
