Show and Tellfrom The Diary of a First Grade TeacherFor 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 LoversStevie 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!”
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