Today’s Wednesday Wonder was sent in anonymously, and like the post from a couple of weeks ago, it just shows that our young children are listening to and absorbing more than we think! Enjoy this sweet story:
The noise of the last garbage truck of the day is slowly fading as I type this and my two SLOCA kids (1st and 3rd grade) just ran up and begged to bring in the garbage cans for all of our neighbors on the block. This is one of the things my children chose to do during SLOCA’s Heroic Quests last year and their desire to continue to serve in this regard remains. What an honor it was to have children last year at a school that chose to have their child-driven fundraiser be one that teaches them character and virtue. (Too bad their aim for “responsibility” has not remained when it comes to cleaning up their rooms!) But alas, I digress…
My original point of this email was to bring up a “wonder” moment I had with my first grader earlier this year. It was around late October when we were learning about the amazing Leonardo da Vinci and this particular day we chose to sit in the backyard patio under our orange trees for the literature reading. I’ve found that my kids actually listen better at times when their hands are busy (Legos, drawing, play dough, knitting, coloring, etc.) so I gave them chalk for doodling. Upon the conclusion of the reading, I looked over to see the above portrait by my first grader.
Ms. Fragasso had guided the children in a directed-draw the day before and my daughter recalled it all from memory as she listened.
This is the same daughter that pointed out while we dined out at Firestone Grill on a Sunday afternoon that they had a salad named after “a super important guy in ancient times” (Caesar). Oh, and she was in Jr. Kinder at the time. Don’t underestimate what your little ones are absorbing when you teach your older students – they’re learning way more than you think!
I am so thankful for SLOCA’s teachers that guide and nurture skills in my children I didn’t even know existed, and for the rich, deep curriculum that exposes my kids to all of the wonders of the world throughout time.
Do you have a moment of wonder to share on the blog? We are always looking for submissions, so please email Down Home and tell us about the special small moments happening at home or on campus!
