Tuesday, May 15, 2007

HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY


It's that time of the year again...mid-May and scenes of parents making a dash for the shops as they make a last minute purchase of gifts for their children's teachers. Yes! it's Happy Teacher's Day tomorrow. Not to be left out, I too found myself at the shop this morning, spending a good 20 minute walking up and down the aisles, trying to decide on acceptable gifts for my kids' teachers.

Last week I heard my daughter Hannan (9 yrs old) and Yusuf (8 yrs old) talking about their teacher's day celebration. Apparently Yusuf and a few of his friends have to come up with a performance at school. When asked what his teacher had requested him to perform...he said "Mama, this is supposed to be a surprise for the teachers. They're not supposed to know!". Oops sorry. My mistake.

Anyway, at first he and his friends decided to perform a short sketch. Then later they changed it to singing songs. Finally, I was told, it would be reciting a poem. I have to admit that getting this little activity going (even if it's just a 5 minute performance) without the guidance of the teacher would be an uphill task for these 8 year olds. So mama had to intervene. I soon found myself surfing the Net looking for simple, straight forward, fuss-free poem which would be easy for Yusuf and crew to memorise. In the end, I found one which was reasonably simple. However, serious editing was required if my son and his friends were ever going to remember the lines. So, after reducing the 5 stanzas to 2, and simplifying some of the words..I gave it to him. His reaction? "Ohh..so many words to memorise!". Sorry mate. It'll just have to do.

Well, that's my son sorted out. This evening it'll be a session of wrapping gifts with Hannan. I'm quite certain she's already mentally planned what her teacher's day card should look like. Just leave her alone in her room for an hour or so, and she'll later come out with her masterpiece.

I'm glad my kids have shown interest in celebrating teacher's day. I hope, when they grow up, they'll remember and appreciate all the things their teachers have done for them throughout the years. I know for a fact that it's more than just pure teaching. So to all the teachers out there...thank you!

Enjoy the poem;
"WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN’T LOOKING By Mary Rita Schilke Korzan
When you thought I wasn’t looking, you displayed my first report, and I wanted to do another.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, you fed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, you gave me a sticker, and I knew that little things were special things.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, you put your arm around me, and I felt loved.
When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt--but that it’s all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, you smiled, and it made me want to look that pretty too.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, you cared, and I wanted to be everything I could be.
When you thought I wasn’t looking--I looked...and wanted to say thanks for all those things you did when you thought I wasn’t looking. "

2 comments:

D said...

First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS for setting up your own blog!! Must say that it's great to have your own friends to join the fun in bloggers' land (though some have not updated for so long!). Looks promising, good work BLUEWONDER! Kudos!

Cheferni said...

sniiff, what a lovely way to encourage your kid to love, I'm a teacher and I have to say that little poem was a big message.

Congrats
cheferni

Hannan's Pahang Adventure