So in addition to having a Masters in Early Childhood Education (ahem ahem), this book instilled in me high standards. And I have to say that I love the school my eldest attends. Thrilled every time I walk into the place, and more importantly, so is my son.
This is national library month and today was ‘come dressed as your favorite literary character’ day. There was an All School Meeting and kids from each class (K-8) could go to the front of the gym and say who they were dressed as and show the book. And this is the part that takes it from a special school to a magical place for me, if you didn’t want to dress up then you could just come up and give a recommendation. How powerful is that for kids of all ages to be recommending books to each other?!
The ASMeetings are definitely “controlled” but the leaders are not controlling. Today the school’s fabulous librarians opened up the meeting with a hilarious skit. They use a sign to get the kids’ attention and the kids flash the sign back, nothing is passive but rather the children have a part in creating the space for people to share during meeting. I do not doubt that the kids feel like participants in every meeting as opposed to an “audience”. I just get teary with pride and thankfulness at every Meeting that my kid attends such a marvelous school.
My big guy went dressed as the “Red Knight”, a character from this book:
And my youngest a pirate based on this book: