10 June 2008

Evidence of Body

For the past month, the kids in Miss M.'s class have been learning about the body. They've learned about their organs and what they do and where they are. Two class doctor/parents have come to visit - a cardiologist and a pulmonologist. They've learned songs like "kidneys clean and filter blood" to the tune of "Mary had a little lamb". And they've made lots of art. She brought home these two self-portraits which were accompanied by the following dictated self-description:

I am big, I am a coconut.
I have legs, feet and a
body. My hair is gold, my
eyes are blue.


It slays me. It leaves so much out, yet veers into poetry. And it gets away from physical description into state of being: the "coconuts" are the pre-K class at her daycare. She's very into being a coconut; she tells random strangers "I'm a coconut" to their befuddlement. The "coconuts" are the big men on campus - the biggest kids at her daycare. And despite the fact that she's so ready for and excited about kindergarten, I'm ever so slightly tinged with worry - she won't be the big one anymore. She'll be one of the younger kids in the class because of her November birthday, and even though she's tall and sturdy, I wonder how well she'll keep up.

I have three months to get used to this.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

My son is born in the month of November too.

Him being the 2nd youngest in class, the difference in progress IS obvious between him and his classmates....it took him 6 months to get used to the momentum and all...

I believe your girl will do just fine!

Woman in a Window said...

Oh, it's a beautiful transition. And then before you know it you'll be where I am, my coconut growing beyond his tough skin...and entering grade 1! Much too big!

Anonymous said...

I love the "skeleton."

Kindergarten was a surprising year for me. I thought my daughter would be fine, but she had a rough time all during fall.

The kids came in with widely varying levels of ability, but all of them have grown so much. It's really incredible.

Which reminds me, I've got to get teacher gifts!

niobe said...

I wish I were a coconut.

RuthWells said...

My little one is going to be one of the biggest ones next year. That's hard to get used to, too.

In fact, it's all hard to get used to.

FreshHell said...

I love it. It is poetry. My oldest's birthday is at the end of November and she's actually one of the oldest kids in her class because Sept 30 is the cut-off around here. I think your coconut will do just fine.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

I'm sure glad you explained the coconut reference.

Social Butterfly's birthday is November 11. I've never regretted starting her in kindergarten at 4.

S said...

Hey! My birthday is Nov. 2nd. Now I feel a kinship with M., who will do wonderfully. (I was the youngest kid in my class, and I'm here to tell the tale.)

I love her skeleton. And like niobe, I'd like to be a coconut. ;)

Rima said...

That is most definitely one for the scrapbook. I love it.

Don Mills Diva said...

My son's birthday is in November too - he's only two and a half but he's quite shy - not sure if we'll start him the following year or not...

Mental P Mama said...

That is wonderful! From where I sit, it looks like she will be just fine!

painted maypole said...

MQ was the youngest (but nearly tallest) in her kindergarten class (of "stars"), and did beautifully

susan said...

Coconuts in two of your last three posts!

I do love her self-portrait. Happy adjusting to both of you. (how is W.feeling about the coming of kindergarten?)

Maude Lynn said...

My youngest will be one of the youngest in her kindergarten class this fall, and I worry about it as well. I'm sure both of our girls will be just fine. We probably will, too. Eventually.

Anonymous said...

I loved this. I am so getting "I am a coconut" printed on a t-shirt.

Girlplustwo said...

i am the walrus.

flutter said...

coocoocachoo @ jen

Anonymous said...

Even more clever than the song about the 50 Nifty States.

She She said...

Baby coconut will be fine. And I'll bet Mama Coconut will be, too. Eventually.

Queen Goob said...

I'm with Andi - me thinks you should have t-shirts made!

Mayberry said...

I am really digging this coconut theme. So tropical.

Anonymous said...

This made me laugh. Love the "I am a coconut" remark being made to any and all.

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