Jaylin (right), not always the easiest student, had his best day of the year. He worked well with his tutor and continually sought additional challenges. First, by writing a comprehensive answer to the day's journaling prompt, then by starting work on a book report about the story he finished reading. I was so impressed with Jaylin today, and his tutor, Romello, deserves a lot of the credit.
Eddie, whose energy was highlighted in a previous blog entry, worked with a new tutor today. Cawahn's student was absent, and Eddie's tutor was absent, so they worked together. It couldn't have gone better. After reading for a little while, Eddie's teacher suggested that he might need some assistance with the week's spelling words. Cawahn created a game that harnessed Eddie's energy - they played a game of catch, but each time Eddie wanted the ball back, he had to spell another word. Everyone was smiling, and our supervising teachers were appropriately impressed.
It was Willie (right), however, that made my day. Willie's been having trouble getting started recently. Did he want to journal? No. Did he want to read? No. Was he willing to do anything we asked of him? No. As we were beginning to grow frustrated with Willie, he spoke softly, "I want to read my book."
"Your book?" I asked. "You have your own book with you?"
With that, he reached into his backpack and pulled out a compilation of eight Curious George stories - a book that Willie had received through Reach's Books For Break program. He had been carrying this book (a big hardback book, being carried around by a tiny kid) since he got back to school. He wanted to read it with his tutor, DaJohn. Willie simply said, "I've only read the first one. I got seven more."
Today was awesome.
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Mark
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