1) On our last trip to Madras we bought five hula hoops for the kids to play with. They have been a big hit and are serving all sorts of imaginary purposes, as well as causing many fights. Pati told Prasad today that if he kept fighting over the hoops, she would lock them up away from everyone. Prasad told her she couldn't do that to them - the hula hoops would cry if no one could play with them. He said he would feel so bad for them, locked up and very lonely. Great argument.
2) Two of the tiny little pre-schoolers, Salmitra and Manikandan (girl and boy) are always together at school. Everywhere one goes, the other follows two steps back. If I try to take a picture of one, the other always finds a way to be in it. I joke with the teachers that they are future husband and wife - they certainly are affectionate and fight just like a couple. Then today in assembly line, I caught Manikandan standing behind her and sniffing the flowers in her hair. I almost laughed out loud - now I know why he wants to be next to her every minute of the day. He looked so in love, smelling her hair and then holding hands walking her to class. Precious.
3) My youngest group of English students have been really affected by our latest heat wave. When it gets really hot and the electricity is out (no ceiling fans), they simply cannot focus. Most days they come to class and plead with me "Draaaawing akka". If I insist on real work I face an uphill battle, so we compromise. They can do drawing and coloring if they label the things in their picture without my help. One day Ramkumar drew a lion with a pointy hat and a clown inside a box. When I told him to label them he wrote "Birthday lion" and "Joker". I almost did a dance. Success.
4) Like all teachers, I am adamant about my students putting their names on their papers and worksheets. I think their parents really like seeing their progress so I try to comment on everything they do and send it home. So naturally, when passing out worksheets or drawing paper, I remind them "Name at the top." They know all about this command and I always hear an echo of ten little voices, "Name at the top." It drives me nuts so I say "Don't repeat me, do it." Last week, Praskash came to class late and I was pushing him to sit down and get started on work. As I handed him his paper, he crossed his eyes, cocked his head and in a sassy little voice said, "Name at the top. Don't repeat me, do it." - wagging his finger at me. Watching this pint sized little six year old mimic me almost perfectly was absolutely the cutest thing I have seen all year. I laughed so hard I almost choked - he was very pleased with himself. Future comedian.
5) The little girls I teach love when I kiss them on the cheek. They all line up after class for a quick kiss before they leave. Well somehow little Sanjai (a boy) ended up in this line one day, so I bent down and gave him a kiss. He squealed and yelled and ran out of there - he clearly did not get the memo that this was the kiss line and was not happy about being the only boy there. My dad snapped a picture right as I kissed him - his look of horror says it all. He kept his distance for the rest of the day.
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