Teaching Moment

Today was one of those days. One of those great, rewarding, memorable days in my kindergarten classroom. One of my students, a little boy, came to kindergarten this fall with no preK experiences, no English language skills, and a late September birthday, making him almost an entire year younger and a year less experienced than some of his classmates. To be blunt, there is no way he was ready for a full-day kindergarten. The boy can't even sit still in his chair for more than 30 seconds (and still can't to this day, might I add). His learning has been challenging for both him and me as he continues to learn the English language. There have been several times thus far this year where I legitimately wondered if he would gain ANYTHING from this school year. I have met with his parents, I have discussed my concerns with other teachers and even administrators. But today... today was different. Today he showed me that not only can this little boy learn something this year in kindergarten... but he DID. And I couldn't have been prouder of him (or myself for that matter, I did give myself a little kudos!)

While writing in journals today, this little boy who inconsistently identifies the 5 letters that make up his name (let alone any letter sounds), actually identified 3 letter sounds and the letters that correspond (and even a blend!)! I mean, I was shocked. Typically, we share the pen when writing... and I use the term "sharing" generously, because I usually end up having to show him the letters and emphasizing the sounds and recording in his journal. I was on cloud 9!

Later in the afternoon during math time, our math specialist was in leading the class in a patterning activity. This boy had been redirected MANY times to sit quietly, not shout out, and pay attention to the lesson. Then, all of a sudden, as the teacher starts laying pictures in a line on the carpet, I hear him counting out loud.... 1, 2, 3....the whole way to 8! Now, some of you probably think counting to 8 is nothing to celebrate. But for this boy, it is! He has a difficult time counting in sequential order without skipping numbers. But he did it today! I was so excited to overhear this and see his hardwork paying off today, I didn't even mention to him the fact that he was shouting out when counting instead of raising his hand :)

Now, this little boy will repeat kindergarten again next year, because he is not even close to being prepared for first grade. He will need more support and guidance to support his language learning and skill building. But today, I was a proud teacher!