Red rover, red rover, send the ESL teacher right over.

We have two groups of children who leave the room each day for a some “extra” learning help. I have three students who attend ESL classes each day, and 3 that attend the ABC club, and then several that leave occasionally for speech.

I explained to the class why the children were leaving, and began by discussing the ESL class. “They are going to English as a Second Language class. They are just learning how to speak English.”

This discussion occurred several weeks ago, and we have settled into a nice routine.

Yesterday, while working in our Kid Writing journals, Francis shot up out of her seat and shouted, “Mrs. Smythe!!! Zak can speak ENGLISH! He can say my NAME!! Zak- what’s my name?”

“Francis!” he shouted with a smile, clear as a bell.

Francis said enthusiastically, “Mrs. Smythe, he’s learned a second language! Sure, he can say my name and nothing else, but he can speak ENGLISH now!”

“Francis,” I explained carefully, “Zak has ALWAYS spoken English. He can speak ONLY English. He just has a little speech problem.”

(Reality TV? Just put a video camera in MY room, I've got your emmy right here.)