I was going through some files today and ran across this poem I wrote a few years ago. Don't wanna lose it so I will post it here. It's just another random example of my varied interests and lack of focus, but maybe somebody can use it someday. Anybody got kids entering kindergarten this year?
What will he learn from you?
I watched my child step on the bus today,
He was nervous and frightened and cold.
He would rather have stayed here at home to play,
But it's time for his schooling I'm told.
It is time to learn reading, and science and math
And subjects there are more than few.
He will learn from assignments and lessons and books,
But what will he learn from you?
When my child steps inside of your classroom today,
Will he be lost or feel right at home?
Will he want to run out, or feel welcome to stay?
Will his interest be settled or roam?
Will the problems he faces be easy or hard?
Will he learn what to say and to do?
He can memorize facts and procedures and rules,
But what will he learn from you?
I know you have lesson plans written and stored
For the subjects you teach through the year.
You have been well prepared and you're ready to go,
But how will you remove his fear?
You have studied your subjects and know them quite well.
There is little in them that is new.
But as my child studies curricular things,
Just what will he learn from you?
Will he learn to solve problems and reason and think?
With his classmates will he get along?
Will he learn to develop the virtues of right?
Will his attitude lighten with song?
Will he learn to connect with the world where he lives,
And the systems that he should accrue?
Will he learn how to work and to finish a task?
Just what will he learn from you?
When you look for the measures of what he has learned
And the way he performs on a test,
Please remember he's human and has feelings too,
And he really is trying his best.
Keep in mind that the things that most often remain
Of the lessons you teach that are true,
Are examples you give by the way that you live
That's what he will learn from you.
