What I learned in 2nd grade

I spent yesterday morning in Colter's classroom teaching the kids about Hanukkah. I think I learned more than they did, though, including:

A lot goes on in a classroom and most of it has nothing to do with formal instruction.

My son really is the smartest and sweetest student in his class and all the other kids think so too.

Kids lie. Sometimes on purpose, sometimes unwittingly. It's that whole unconscious "wishing will make it so" strategy. Knowing this finally puts to rest my guilt about the year I was in 2nd grade and told my class that David Cassidy was coming to perform for us. I now understand why we were all -- especially me -- so surprised and disappointed when he didn't.

Some kids really need more help than others.

Teachers are part psychologist, math & reading expert, stand-up comic, drill sergeant and saint.

The most exciting part of Hanukkah is spinning the dreidl.

There's never enough time, attention or paper towels.

The cafeteria is really, really loud.

It's best that I'm not an elementary school teacher.

Just because Colter introduced me as "my mom who works too much" doesn't mean I should quit my job. A few years ago he would have introduced me as "my mom who reads too much" and I would never have considered giving up books, even for him.

Comments

[Robin]

My 6yr old daughter Lillianna came home from kindergarten a couple of weeks ago. "They tried to teach us about Chanukah today. They didn't know what the middle candle was for. I told them it was to light all the other candles and that it was called the shamesh. Then I said the blessing. Mom, you HAVE to come to school and talk about Chanukah." So I did. I glazed over the whole battle thing...can't say anything bad about the Syrians or anyone non Jewish trying to make the Jews worship idols. The kids weren't listening anyways. They kept looking at the chocolate "gelt" and waiting to get their turn to spin the dreidel. In the end Lillianna was so pleased and proud that I gave this talk to her class. She thought I did a great job. Isn't that what it's all about??

[Marcia Lynx Qualey]

As a former kindergarten teacher, let me second the comment about the paper towels. Not even in the whole building are there enough paper towels.

Although if you're lucky enough, I think potato latkes for snack time are the best thing about Hanukah.