Teaching Elementary, My Dear Watson

22 - Home for the Holidays

22

Home for the Holidays

Monday, December 19

Eagle Mountain rose two miles high to the north of Kevin as he drove to work. It was clear and cool. He saw that the short overnight storm left its peak covered with snow.

Time to sing the top holiday song of all time, "White Christmas."

The tune wasn't usually relevant in Southern California. He knew his kids would be excited today. The drifts were a full hour's drive away, so no chance for snowball fights at Valle Grande School. But the frosting atop the conical peak made it look like a large vanilla ice cream cone, for them a delicious view.

"Snow! Mr. Watson, did you see the snow?" John didn't need an answer. "Oh, I wish I could be up there right now. Can we get a bus and drive to the top this morning? We could build a snowman. We could lie on our backs and move our arms to make snow angels. We could bring flavors and make snow cones. Oh, let's go!"

The other kids agreed, of course, but it wasn't to be. Kevin laughed. He had some music to play. At first, he played a couple of kid requests, Frosty the Snowman and Rudolf. Then his favorites: Silver Bells and Winter Wonderland. Next were Jingle Bell Rock and Little Saint Nick, alternating with Silent Night and some other soothing tunes. He began to hum along with his favorites.

He gave the kids an assignment. "Today when you're not in reading groups, you may work on your Christmas lists. What do you want to give to others?"
Jenna said, "Give? Mr. Watson, we want to get. It's what we open Christmas morning that matters. Hey, we're just kids. Santa and adults provide and we receive!" Most of the class laughed, nodding in agreement.

That's how I thought about Christmas when I was a kid, too.

"Santa will take care of all the giving to you guys. I'm not worried about that. But for the assignment, write at least ten things you will give and to whom. Then create gift cards or holiday spirit cards. Some people don't celebrate Christmas but everyone gives to others sometimes. It can be one thing to ten different people, family, and/or friends. Or it can be all ten to just one person, like your boyfriend or girlfriend."

"Oh gross," chorused a couple of boys and girls. Not every fifth grader was ready for a relationship yet. With smiles, and at least a little holiday spirit, they set about creating lists and cards.

Tuesday, December 20

When Kevin blew his whistle last week because a basketball player had pulled an ostrich, meaning put his or her head down, dribbling rather than looking first, the offender sometimes bounced the ball hard in frustration. But they were smiling now. They understood this "game" got them passing more. Moving the ball better helped them score more easily. They were briefly upset if they forgot, but it happened less often. His little trick was teaching them to overcome their own absent-mindedness. And the new habit showed in their first games. On Monday the girls won easily. On Tuesday the boys lost, but it was a difference in athleticism again. The boys in particular could see that their passing was better. They also knew that their inability to get many rebounds was because the other team had some giants. So even in losing they felt okay.

*****

That night, he joined Miguel for their weekly league game. "Kevin, how are your teams doing?"

"The girls are winning and the boys keep losing as expected. But they can see some improvement."

"How so?"

Kevin told him what he was doing to get the kids to pass more. "And they seem to be having fun!"

"Good plan. Anytime you can motivate them to improve skills and teamwork, it's awesome."