The Power of Words!!

207 is different. Their teacher is different. The experience is different. Everything is just....different.
Different is good. As long as they are learning and as long as the 207 is more than just a room number, but an experience, I'm good with that. I said the same of my former room, 105, when a colleague said, "Flem, YOU are 105! Wherever you go, that's where it is!" So now 207105....

Back to the post...

I love words and I believe I've passed on that love for words and word choice to many of my students. I offer the following two anecdotes as proof:

#1
We've been reading up on and watching Ruby Bridges clips throughout the school year. I taught the kids what federal marshals were. I've also taught them what "truancy" meant and the importance of coming to school and the importance of bringing in notes when they are absent. A kid married the two ideas.

Flemming: So-n-So, do you have a note for your absence?
So-n-So: No. Are the marshals going to get me?
Both: giggle

#2
Earlier in the year, we learned the word "undaunted" as we were ascribing character traits to.....Ruby Bridges, I believe. Ha!

Today, our volunteer librarians provide an interactive read-aloud experience for the kids before they are released to check out two books from the school library. Reading an account of Henry "Box" Brown, one kid offered the word "undaunted" to describe him. The librarian was very impressed. A few kids looked back at me. I grinned from ear to ear in my head and the grin may have escaped out onto my face too. Nicely done young 207er!