Show and Tell
from The Diary of a First Grade Teacher
For many reasons, Show and Tell is a great learning activity ...
For one thing, students develop confidence in speaking to a group. And it builds various language skills, including listening skills … something that most definitely needs improving, especially in the first grade.
Give me That!
Today, during Show and Tell, Loegan was showing a fifty-cent piece when Joe Joe jumped from his seat, his fingers balled into fists. “Hey, THAT’S MINE!” He roared like a lion and charged.
I lunged across the classroom trying to beat Joe Joe to where Loegan stood.
“Stop, Joe Joe!” I said. “If you have a problem, you know this is NOT how we handle it.”
“Give me my money!” he said, sneering.
I stood between the two boys, facing Joe Joe. “You have something to say? Yes? Well, go sit. RIGHT NOW.”
He made a low growling sound in his throat and took a threatening step forward.
Never once looking at me, he tried his best to look around me at Loegan.
I stood firmly – calmly and quietly – pointing to his seat which was across the room on row one.
Finally, he grunted his way down the aisle – the veins in his neck bulging out – as he made it back to his seat. “He better give it back!”
After he sat, I asked, “Did you lose some money?”
“Yeah, I did! And he’s got it!”
Downplaying the problem, Loegan said, “This is my money. Honest.”
Approaching Joe Joe, I asked, “WHY do you think Loegan may have your coin?”
“Cause …” he spat between clenched teeth, “mine looks JUST LIKE that one!”
Got a Problem?
It was Martin’s turn to speak, but he was having difficulty. Suddenly the water-toy he was showing started leaking water everywhere. He examined it all over.
“Oh, shoot,” he drawled. “This thang ain’t got no lid-top on its bottom!”
Huh?
Then, proudly, Weesie showed her piece of new jewelry.
“This is my bracelet … with a tick-tock on it.”
Frowning, Stevie glared at me. “A tick tock?”
“Shhh,” I whispered.
“Yeah,” Weesie continued, “a clock … a little clock.”
“Oh, you mean a WATCH!” he boomed.
“Huh?” A look of confusion crossed her face.
Trying to give her a clue, Stevie pointed to a spot on his wrist and said, “Watch.”
“Huh?” she asked again. “Watch what?”
What are you Doing?
Tommy was already in front of the class when he pulled out a small tool for Show and Tell.
“Oh, come here,” I said. “What are you doing with PLIERS at school?”
“That ain’t nuttin,“ he assured me. “You take pliers to un-ranch stuff.”
Show and Tell for Animal Lovers
Stevie brought a colorful 5 X 7 picture to show.
“I made this picture with my cam-ra.” He held it high for all to see.
“Look,” he said, pointing to something in the picture. “Them’s geeses right there … Ya’ll know what geeses is?”
When no one answered, he was glad to explain.
“That’s when you got a WHOLE BUNCH of gooses!”
Return from Show and Tell to Funny Things.
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