The following post is an email I received recently from a parent of a second grader at my school. Names have been changed to protect the innocent. I think you will find this story to be both hilarious and eye opening. Its amazing what those little brains are soaking up while we are up there teaching!
Katy’s second grade class has been learning about weather this week and apparently, she is listening quite well. As she and I were getting ready to study she told me with excitement, “I already know ALL about it!” I decided to drill her on it just to see what all she knew, this is our conversation. (I stopped her right after she started so could grab a pencil and paper to, “take notes so I won’t miss anything.”)
Katy- “Did you know that heat from the sun makes water evacuate? It’s true. You see, evacuation is when a liquid, you know, like water, changes into a gas, you can call it water vapors too. I guess because it’s a gas it has to get out quickly.”
Mom- (Trying not to laugh)
Katy- “What? That’s what evacuation means, get out quickly.”
Mom- “Yes, evacuation means to get out quickly, please keep going.”
Katy- “Okay, well we have also learned about concentration.”
Mom- “Concentration?”
Katy- “ Yes, concentration. (eyes roll), it’s when the gas or water vapors, same thing, changes into water droplets. Humm, I guess it’s hard to do that, change from liquid to gas then back to liquid. I guess that’s why God named it concentration, I bet He has to think really hard to do it.”
Mom- (Straight faced) “You think?”
Katy- (Also straight faced) “Well yeah, don’t you think so?”
Mom- “I’m sure He does. Keep going please, I’m really learning a lot here.”
Katy- “Well, there are 3 types of clouds, Curious Clouds, Cumulus Clouds and ummm, Straights Clouds.”
Mom- “Can you describe each one?”
Katy- “Sure, Curious Clouds are thin and feathery, I guess someone was curious how God does that so they named them Curious Clouds. Cumulus Clouds are my favorite ones, God uses them to make the God Show that me and Trevor like to watch. He makes pictures in them for kids to look at and changes them all time so we don’t get bored, especially when we are riding in the car. I don’t know how they got the name Cumulus Clouds though. Straights Clouds are the last ones, they are like gray blankets in the sky because they mean rain or snow is coming and you might need a blanket. They kind of look like straight walls too so I guess that’s why they named them Straights Clouds.”
Mom- (Still writing frantically so I don’t miss anything!) “I would have named them blanket clouds.”
Katy- “HEY! I THOUGHT SO TOO! Heh, great minds think alike! Let’s see, OH YEAH, HUMILITY!”
Mom- “Humility?”
Katy- “Yeah, I don’t know why they call it that, it’s not even funny. It’s just where the water vapors/gas are in the air, that’s not funny. Well, I guess it was to somebody. Oh, I know, maybe it’s the OTHER kind of funny, you know, like strange/weird/odd, that kind of funny. Maybe they couldn’t think of the right word so they said humility ‘cause it means funny too. I get it now. Heh!”
Mom- (Laughing now!) “I bet you’re right!”
Katy- “I know, right! (Laughing!) HUMILITY! HAHAHAHAHA!
Mom- “Please, keep going.”
Katy- “Well, hummm, oh, Participation, it’s any kind of water that falls from the sky like rain, sleet, hell or snow. Why do they call it “Hell” Mommy?
Mom- “Not H-E-L-L, it’s H-A-I-L, it’s spelled differently and pronounced a bit different too.”
Katy- “Oh, that’s good. Anyway, in order for it to do any of that, the weather, concentration, clouds, water vapors, humility, they all have to participate, you know, join in, so it all works together like a team. HAHA!, A WEATHER TEAM!”
Mom- “Good one!”
Katy- “Thanks! Well, if too much of it participates at the same time, it causes a flood usually in just a short amount of time. Remember? We just saw one on tv last week.”
Mom- “I remember. It was bad wasn’t it? I wonder what those people will do?”
Katy- “Well I know. They will wait for a “dryout”!”
Mom- (Please don’t let me laugh!) “A “dryout”?”
Katy- “Yes, a “dryout” is when it quits flooding and there is no rain or anything for a long time and everything just drys up, you know, a “dryout.” Sometimes though, it can last too long and the plants and stuff start to wither up and it dies. “Dryouts” aren’t too good unless you’ve had a flood then you want it and don’t mind the plants and stuff drying out ‘cause you can just plant more and water them with your watering hose like we do.”
Mom- “I’m sure. Tell me more.”
Katy- “Well, that’s all we’ve learned so far, we just have to study it now because we have a test on Thursday. I’m going to make an A+!”
Mom- “Well, If I was your teacher, I’d sure give you an A+, maybe even an A++!”
Katy- “REALLY?”
Mom- “YOU BET!”
Katy- “Thanks Mommy! Did you write down everything I told you about weather? You can look at it when you want to know what kind of weather we are having and you’ll know.”
Mom- (Loving this kid more than anything in the world!) “EVERY WORD! I didn’t miss a bit.” (This is where my medical transcription degree really helped!) ”
Katy- “Good. I love learning about weather!”
Mom- “It sure sounds like you do! I think though, that maybe we need to go over your study guide together a little bit. Okay?”
Katy- “Sure, but I’m telling you, I already know it all!”
Mom (Hugging her and knowing I’ll never be able to thank God enough for her!) “God has great plans for you one day!”
Katy- “I know He does and I can’t wait!”
How blessed am I that I was chosen out of all the other mothers in this world, to be her mother? What have I done that was so deserving? I will never be able to thank God enough for trusting me with that honor. I just pray that I can help guide her in the way that God is trusting me to do. She is already such a beautiful light in this world. Yes, I am truly blessed!
