B for Birthday!

from The Diary of a First Grade Teacher

B for birthday - because in the first grade classroom that’s the ONLY THING my students want to talk about!

Daily, I hear about whose birthday it is … “Today’s my Paw Paw’s birthday!” - or - “It’s my dolly girl’s birthday!” – or - “My puppy’s eight weeks old today. Tomorrow, my puppy will be … ”

Once that topic comes up, it’s HARD to steer them off of the subject. They’re hyper excited!

Of course, if it’s a student’s birthday, that’s different ... There’s going to be a celebration … There WILL BE a song!

At other times though, it’s necessary that we go there …

When is Your Birthday?

“Amy,” she said, "when did you turn six?”

Amy’s answer was simple and direct. “On my birthday.”

Ema cut in to share some startling information. “Guess what! I was born-did ALL THE WAY out of California.”

My assistant continued with Amy. “I see here that you were born in New Orleans.”

“No, Ma'am!” Amy was adamant. “I was born in the hospital ON THE LEFT.”

B for Birthday? No, B is for Bull!

Ben raised his hand. “I am.”

Joe Joe hollered, “NO, YOU AIN'T!”

“How do you know?” Ben asked meekly.

Joe Joe surveyed him judiciously. “CAUSE,” he yelled, “I CAN TELL BY YOUR EYES!”

I couldn’t resist … “What do his eyes tell you?”

Joe Joe frowned and stared deep into my eyes, searching my face. “Don’t you know? They ain’t NO WAY that boy's older than me!”

B for Birthday Candles, too!

“Wow, is that you, Teacher?” Gena asked.

B for Birthday

I smiled at that sweet child.

She continued ... “Was you REALLY that young?”

B for Birthday Surprise

And each and every time, the birthday child can hardly wait to be surprised ... That’s why I try to “get to it” as soon as I possibly can.

Recently, on the last two birthdays we had celebrated in song, I had sent the students down the hall. And whenever each child had returned and opened the classroom door, the class and I had burst into song.

Now, today is Stevie’s birthday ... He’s smart, outgoing, and passionate about things. Also, he’s one who watches me and knows all of my tricks.

So to make it a surprise for him, it was time to change the routine.

I started off as usual … I sent him down the hall to get some water. Quickly, I told his classmates about the new plan.

Soon he opened the door and LEAPED into the room. He JUST KNEW this was it!

As planned, no one said a word. Amazingly, the first graders had followed my instructions and didn’t even look up.

That’s when I heard the door shut.

I glanced around. And he was gone!

Just as I headed toward the door, he SPRANG into the room again. Talk about making a grand entrance! He was the cutest thing … He flashed his biggest toothless grin.

Again, none of the children said a word!

Slowly, he shut the door. And once more, he jumped around and peered at his classmates. At last, he leaned forward and stared at them, as if to say, “Remember?”

But no one moved. They were robots, staring down at the books on their desks.

Stevie was sure we had forgotten him –which is NOT what I had wanted!

Suddenly he slumped and draaaagged himself to his desk.

But – as planned – the moment his bottom hit his seat, we exploded into song.

He was elated! And he recovered immediately ...

He sat bolt upright in his desk; his face flushed with sudden intense joy.

Quietly, he grinned in complete satisfaction at his classmates.

Then he beamed up at me ... It was his famous unrestrained smile –the one with the mouth wide-open.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

Stevie was happy again.

I told him later – just so he would know - that there was NO WAY we would EVER forget him!

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