How a Single Consonant Can Mean the Difference Between RECESS and NO RECESS!

Miss Silvey's Classroom  Before 19 Giggling 5-year-old Bundles of Wiggles Arrive

Though Groundhog Day is not 'til Sunday, today another hairy, lethargic mammal that ventures out in cold weather only under duress was honored - ME!  It was Grandparents Day at my kindergartner grandson's school!  He is 5, which is not many, but which was 2 more than the thermometer registered when my wife and I backed out of our garage for the short drive to St. Martins school.


The classroom was quiet and empty when we arrived but that was short-lived.  Soon we were joined by 19 members of the New Millennium generation with names like Gavin & Josie & Oliver & Reese.  Big news of the day:  one student had lost a tooth.  That prompted a chorus of a song that was new to me:  "I've got a window in my mouth" in honor of the occasion.  It may have been new, but it is a song that can be identified with by many members of my generation as well.  I just wish ours could grow back too.


In addition to Grandparents Day, it was also special because it was the 100th day of class for these kindergartners and they were ready to show off.  First, they gathered in a glob on the floor and demonstrated their knowledge of vowels and consonants.  Normally, said Miss Silvey, they would form a circle, but since the turnout for Grandparents Day was so large there wasn't enough room for a circle.  We Baby Boomers are accustomed to filling classrooms to the bursting point.


After consonant versus vowel drill, the class demonstrated phonetic bingo.  Then it on to coloring a snowman per Miss Silvey's instructions.  Each student was given a paper with the outline of snowman which they were to fill in according to Miss Silvey's specifications to demonstrate their ability to follow instructions.


Miss Silvey:  Class, let's give the snowman an orange carrot nose.  This was followed by a rush of activity and - presto! - 19 orange carrot noses of various shapes appeared.


Miss Silvey - Very good, class.  Now lets give the snowman some blue eyes, which prompted another flurry of activity.


That's when it got dicey.


Miss Silvey -  OK, now let's give the snowman some boobs.  Actually, that is only what I THOUGHT Miss Silvey said.  Luckily, all 19 members of Miss Silvey's class have better hearing than me and immediately began fashioning footwear for Mr. Snowman rather than blurring his sexual identity. 


It's a good thing the grandpa's weren't invited to help color or we'd have missed recess for sure.