This morning in summer reading camp we began the day with our greeting, and a bit of telling sharing. As we progressed around the circle, two of my new clients decided it was a PERFECT time to practice some wrestling moves.
“George!! Steve! I want you to keep your hands to yourself, and sit on the carpet. I do NOT think you would enjoy sitting on the bench at recess today. Do you WANT to sit on the bench at recess?” I asked in my most serious and sad voice.
“Awww man.” George said. “This is JUST like regular school. On the bench. At recess.”
"Oh," I said, "Were you on the bench OFTEN at recess this year?"
George, "Yep."
“Me, too.” Added Steve. And then, like a chorus of angels, about a hundred voices chimed in.
“Me, too!”
“Me, too!”
“Me, too!”
“Wait!” I said, as a light bulb went off in my head. “Raise your hand if you were ever on the bench during recess this year.”
Almost every single hand in the circle went up.
I quickly looked over at my summer school para, who smiled and said,
“Looks to me like you just won the lottery.”
(And as an addendum- I made a vow that I would NOT put anyone on the bench this summer. That is cruel and unusual punishment- for not only the KIDS, but the teacher as well. )
