The first snowfall is always an exciting time for teachers. Children rush to the window, mesmerised by the soft white flakes suddenly appearing from nowhere, and covering the hitherto green field or black hardtop outside with a layer of white dust.
In classrooms with new Canadians in them, the first snowfall is particularly thrilling.
In classrooms with new Canadians in them, the first snowfall is particularly thrilling.
This year I have a student from a warm climate. She’s been in Canada for just a few months, and although she has heard and read about snow, today was the first time she had ever seen it live and in person.
She was giddy with excitement: She wanted to know everything about this strange white substance – when it melted into water, would the snow freeze, and could we skate on it outside at recess? Could we make snow angels? Had I ever seen snow before? The class surrounded her at the window – all lessons were stopped while we indulged her (and our!) exhilaration.
Later, once the children were working at their desks again, I heard the new student murmuring to her neighbour in the class, “Oh, I have to stop thinking about the snow, I am so excited, I can’t work!”
The months ahead may be slushy and irritating, and by March we’ll be desperate for the snow to end, but for now, I, too, can’t work as I look outside and enjoy the first snowfall of 2011.
She was giddy with excitement: She wanted to know everything about this strange white substance – when it melted into water, would the snow freeze, and could we skate on it outside at recess? Could we make snow angels? Had I ever seen snow before? The class surrounded her at the window – all lessons were stopped while we indulged her (and our!) exhilaration.
Later, once the children were working at their desks again, I heard the new student murmuring to her neighbour in the class, “Oh, I have to stop thinking about the snow, I am so excited, I can’t work!”
The months ahead may be slushy and irritating, and by March we’ll be desperate for the snow to end, but for now, I, too, can’t work as I look outside and enjoy the first snowfall of 2011.
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