Half Day

Days that are out of the norm, like today are interesting. Children play with children they might not otherwise have played with.  There is a peace .  I don’t know how to explain it. They are still doing the same things they usually do .  I guess it just seemed peaceful  since there are not so many doing it!  

One thing happened today that I want to note:

The girls come running in the “quiet room” saying you have to come see what Elliot has done! Immediately , I say ” Is it good or bad?”  They say good… so I don’t RUN!    As I went down the stairs he and Gavin had large pieces of cardboard that I had put in the art center to encourage some 3D art on the floor.  ” Ms Debbie, we are trying to paint this airplane that we made but we got paint on the floor.”  ( I am guessing the girls didn’t see this!)  My head is swirling.  Do I praise the genius attitude and creativity ? Do I have a fit about the paint all over the floor?  So, right or wrong this is how I handled it.  I noted how wonderful their creation was and asked did they think there was a more appropriate place to make it.  Perhaps the art center that is already covered with paint?  No, they said it wasn’t big enough.  ( Hmm more good thinking on their part .)  What about the table? It is washable. ” Well , maybe…” the boys replied.  So, we talked about next time asking if they THINK  they may need help making a better choice and  be responsible in our  room.  I gave the boys a rag to help clean up their messy paint on the floor. MOST of it came out!  Then, the boys proceeded to finish their spectacular planes on the table.  

All in a days work.