On Kids –
One of my daughter’s teachers asked parents to write something about their kids that would help the teacher be of best use to the children. It is not a new concept, I’ve seen and done it before. Most of the papers/forms let you write a sentence or two in certain areas with prompts so the teacher can get what they want out of it.
It was different this time, and I kind of liked it. The teacher requested that in “One Million Words or Less” we tell her about our children. There were no prompts or questions, just a few ideas of what to write about listed. I thought it was great because then the teacher could learn more about the parents as well.
The assignment could be written or e-mailed and I decided to e-mail it so my nosy little girl couldn’t read it before she turned it in. I love her to death but she would have opened it as soon as she had the opportunity and we would have had long talks about why I said this or that. I thought e-mail would be safest!
I start typing it up. And I continue typing it up. Next thing I know, I’ve written 6 paragraphs about my kid. I start to wonder if a teacher really wants to or needs to know this much about her students. I love to write. Give me a subject matter I know a lot about and there’s a good chance I’m going to write too much. When I was in school, I was daunted by the task of a 20 page paper until next thing I knew I was at 30 pages and not done yet.
Anyways, I finished it up when I realized I was rambling and probably speaking way too highly of my child. Don’t get me wrong, I pointed out her imperfections as well. I made sure to get a full 360 degree picture of her in there. Then, I sent it. And my paranoia, all day I wondered if I said too much or talked too highly or if it even went through and my daughter would get credit for it.
Finally, about 5 hours later, I got a response from the teacher. I wasn’t expecting a response at all. I know teachers are busy and was assuming it was just going to be one of those things they skimmed over and did what they felt necessary with. But, she thanked me for the e-mail and let me know she’s noticed some of the things I’ve mentioned already.
Then wouldn’t you know it, that evening when I’m asking the kids about school, she tells me she doesn’t even know if she likes that teacher yet. As I’m thinking, wow, this teacher seems like she’ll do pretty well with her!
One of my daughter’s teachers asked parents to write something about their kids that would help the teacher be of best use to the children. It is not a new concept, I’ve seen and done it before. Most of the papers/forms let you write a sentence or two in certain areas with prompts so the teacher can get what they want out of it.
It was different this time, and I kind of liked it. The teacher requested that in “One Million Words or Less” we tell her about our children. There were no prompts or questions, just a few ideas of what to write about listed. I thought it was great because then the teacher could learn more about the parents as well.
The assignment could be written or e-mailed and I decided to e-mail it so my nosy little girl couldn’t read it before she turned it in. I love her to death but she would have opened it as soon as she had the opportunity and we would have had long talks about why I said this or that. I thought e-mail would be safest!
I start typing it up. And I continue typing it up. Next thing I know, I’ve written 6 paragraphs about my kid. I start to wonder if a teacher really wants to or needs to know this much about her students. I love to write. Give me a subject matter I know a lot about and there’s a good chance I’m going to write too much. When I was in school, I was daunted by the task of a 20 page paper until next thing I knew I was at 30 pages and not done yet.
Anyways, I finished it up when I realized I was rambling and probably speaking way too highly of my child. Don’t get me wrong, I pointed out her imperfections as well. I made sure to get a full 360 degree picture of her in there. Then, I sent it. And my paranoia, all day I wondered if I said too much or talked too highly or if it even went through and my daughter would get credit for it.
Finally, about 5 hours later, I got a response from the teacher. I wasn’t expecting a response at all. I know teachers are busy and was assuming it was just going to be one of those things they skimmed over and did what they felt necessary with. But, she thanked me for the e-mail and let me know she’s noticed some of the things I’ve mentioned already.
Then wouldn’t you know it, that evening when I’m asking the kids about school, she tells me she doesn’t even know if she likes that teacher yet. As I’m thinking, wow, this teacher seems like she’ll do pretty well with her!