day 280: because I knew it in my brain

This week I have been having one-on-ones with my students for post-kindergarten testing.  I love these moments where each student gets to have all of my attention.  Tender.

Today I was working with a boy that has done a complete 180 since the first half of the school year.  Where there were clouds there is now a clear sky.  Where there was distraction there is now focus.  It seriously has been one of the biggest miracles I have witnessed in my life, when it comes to someone being changed.

One of the things he had earlier struggled with was answering a "why" question.

S, why did you put your paper in your cubby already?  
I have my grandma.  
This was a conversation we might have had.  Now he answers with the appropriate "because".

Today I showed S three crayons and then held 1 out to show him, keeping the remainder behind my back in my other hand.

S, if I started with 3, and now I am showing you 1, how many are behind my back?  Then, S, now I am showing you 2.  How many are behind my back? 
He answered correctly each time, and his teacher got a little choked up.
Why did you say there was 1 behind my back?  
 Because I knew it in my brain.

Thatta boy.  Thatta boy.

14 comments

LisAway | May 26, 2010 at 12:34 AM

This one choked me up. That is just so sweet.

Robin | May 26, 2010 at 1:43 AM

Thatta girl, Karen. Thatta girl.

Miss Tinselly | May 26, 2010 at 5:26 AM

I love that. I had a boy tell me once he knew the answers, but they all fell out of his head somehow :)

Connie | May 26, 2010 at 7:34 AM

It's good to know that after all your hard work with that boy, he can now focus and learn. Such a success story!

Kazzy | May 26, 2010 at 8:12 AM

I don't mean to take the credit. I really think his mom instinctively made some great choices. I was just happy to be a witness!

Luann | May 26, 2010 at 10:06 AM

This. Is. Cool.

gigi | May 26, 2010 at 10:32 AM

Awe.... that was tender. I love the answers kids give you sometimes. They are the cutest!

Dona | May 26, 2010 at 11:22 AM

How great is that?

Heather | May 26, 2010 at 11:51 AM

My 4 year old has started talking about her brain a lot lately, and using the term "human beings" instead of "people." It is so cute when kids get all technical.

Kimberly Vanderhorst | May 26, 2010 at 2:25 PM

These sweet, tender stories of those precious kids you got to work with always choke me up.

wendy | May 26, 2010 at 7:12 PM

That was cute
sometimes we can't quite explain things, but we just know it in our brain

amber_mtmc | May 26, 2010 at 7:31 PM

Awww! An instant tear jerker. How very special. : )

mermaid gallery | May 26, 2010 at 10:33 PM

Break throughs are amazing. They can come at any age too. Kids are just so innocent and that really makes their learning poignant. Must feel good .....

The Way I See It | May 27, 2010 at 7:52 PM

Yep, that brought tears to my eyes too. What a rewarding job. It must fill you up every day. You're doing a wonderful thing for them too. You will be remembered and I know you won't soon forget them.