As we neared the end of Coyote Autumn, our latest chapter book read aloud in the classroom, some alumni of our class volunteered to help me finish the reading. Zachary Arrindell and Roman Elston, upper primary students, remembered how difficult it was for me to read the final pages of this book.
Two years ago, as they were listening to the ending of this book about a boy who befriends an orphaned coyote and tries to make him a pet, they watched as I had to pull in some older boys to read as I got choked up by the goodbyes in the story. Now Zachary and Roman wanted to be the ones who step in to assist. And so they were.
I knew yesterday as the story wrapped up and the lump in my throat began to swell, that help would be needed soon. So I warned my rescuers to be ready today. As my students were writing their homework note, I corralled my helpers and brought them back to the room.
I started reading and then as the words began to get to me, I did my usual, passing off the book to first one reader and then the other.
Roman, always the gentleman, even got kleenex as the flood began!
Letting kids see, once in awhile, how you can be moved by books is a good thing! But I am now up for something a little lighter!
Thanks, though, to my helpers. They are good readers, and I know where they learned!! Right here in Class 114! We share lots of memories and we added another one today!!
Mary Ann
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