Little Me - Birthday Edition

A birthday is a great time to reflect on your life.

Well, I've written before about the importance of recording memories.  I try to emphasize this with my students and with my family.  There have been times when my "recorded history" has come in quite handy when someone tries to say, "You never..." or "I never got to..."

We are fortunate to have so many ways to record memories. There's everything from a basic journal, to blogs, videos, photos, and paper and digital scrapbooks. Although oral storytelling is still one of my favorite ways to pass on events from the past, a bit of supporting evidence, such as photos, video or a written document, certainly does help one's case when there's a dispute.  Multiple points of view definitely help.

Make sure your students and your own children are keeping a record of their history. Work together as much as you can to make it real and accurate.  For me, I only have one side of the story and a terrible memory of my own, so I can only imagine how things really happened.  For fun, here's just one example...

"Comments on Maryann - at 2 1/2" - as recorded by my mom

She is still very stubborn.  She always wants to do everything Carolann [my older sister] can do, but doesn't like me to show her.  She cries that I only give her a "little bit" to eat.  She eats half then cries that I gave her too much. She is very clumsy and enjoys being bad.  She has an "eternal smile" as big as can be - even when she is getting yelled at.  She climbs, touches and gets into everything. She doesn't like to be helped.  She can't keep still a minute.

Rebuttal, by me  :) - I was very smart and skilled and frustrated at being held back by the unfortunate circumstance of being born second.  I was further frustrated by my parents' inability to appropriately portion my food, either giving me too little or too much.  I tried to be pleasant even though I was constantly criticized.  As soon as no one's looking, I'm outta here.  

(Now the record is straight.)

Little Me and Report Card Comments - Is It Too Late to Request a Conference?

Here is a reflection, as best as I can get it, of my report cards from elementary school.  I don't remember much about my report cards.  But, as I wrote about previously, luckily I have some saved documents to help with the foggy parts.  

I don't know about you, but in the elementary school where I teach writing report card comments takes a lot of work.  It takes weeks of reflection, review, and careful crafting of words.  But, I guess when you only have a five-inch line and a pen as your comment tools, there just isn't that much to say.  Here are seven years (my eighth grade report card seems to be missing) of report card comments.  I bet I can type them faster than it takes me to write one report card comment for one of my second graders!  I am not meaning to be critical of my teachers - only pointing out how different things are now.

Grade One
Maryann is a pleasure!!
Maryann is doing 100% work!!! (Notice how I improved as shown by the extra exclamation point.)
It has been my pleasure working with you and Maryann.

Grade Two
Maryann is a very good worker but tends to be too serious. (I'm pretty sure this isn't a good thing!!)
Maryann seems much more relaxed.
Everything is fine! Maryann is working very well.
Maryann has been a pleasure to teach.

Grade Three
Despite a few bouts with illness, Maryann has kept up in her work and is doing a very good job.
I am pleased with Maryann's work.
Maryann is a good student.

Grade Four
Marianne is a pleasure to teach. (And apparently I changed the spelling of my name.)
Marianne helped to make this year a pleasant one for me! (Glad I could be of service!)

Grade Five
Maryann is a joy to teach and to know. (Usually I'm a pleasure to teach, but OK, I'll be a joy this year.)
Maryann continues to do very well.
Maryann adds much to the spirit of the class.
Maryann has been a joy all year. (Whew!  I was going for a record - one full year of joy!)

Grade Six
No comments...Maybe they were on another piece of paper?  Or maybe I was just not that memorable!

Grade Seven
Maryann is a pleasant and industrious student.
God bless you, Maryann!  Happy summer :) (Two exclamation points and a smile - the original smile emoticon)

So, I didn't find much out about me by reading my old report card comments.  I did discover I got a "C" in religion in first grade - what is THAT?  I really don't get C's, but I don't think my religion teacher knew that during the first marking period of first grade (She switched to B's for the rest of the year.)  So I do have some questions for my elementary teachers.  I wonder where they are these days and if they're taking appointments!!

One thing I did learn is that I will NOT be using pleasure or pleasant in any of my report cards comments this year, for sure!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike52ad/4675715489

More Summer Reflections of Little Me - A First Drawing

"Airplane"  by Little Maryann, Age 3

The last time I wrote about "little me" I shared a piece of writing from, most likely, third grade.  It was a piece that I don't remember writing at all (see "Hopes and Dreams...").  

Today, I am sharing one of my first drawings.  I drew this when I was three years old, and, surprisingly, I DO remember drawing this (or at least I feel like I do).  Not only do I remember drawing it, but I remember how proud I was of my amazing accomplishment! Luckily, my mother saved it and marked the date.  Otherwise, this might not be something I still remember.

I always tell my second graders how important it is to keep a record of what's happening in their lives, either in the form of writing, photos, video, or drawings.  I tell them they will remember some things about their childhood, but not everything.  I ask them to recall the first day of kindergarten, of first grade. Few can recall many, if any, details.  Fortunately, young children today have many opportunities to document what's going on in their lives, from the most basic of ways--writing it down--to a full video production.  It is up to us to help them develop the skills to be the recorders of their history and to help them be aware of what's going on around them.  

Later, when they find an old keepsake that sparks a memory, it will be truly priceless!  Even on the last day of school, when the second graders receive their year's worth of writing journals, they are amazed at what they were, and what they have become.  Priceless!