Luck!
Duck!
Jacket!
Backpack!
By now, he knows the pattern. But today is the day his class is learning it.
I’ve just arrived in my office, and a message lands on my phone.
I set an alarm not to forget, and a few minutes before it rings, I head over to Kinder B. It’s hard to enter their room without being noticed, but I stay in the back anyway. All students are on the carpet, waiting to start their lesson.
He notices me and waves. But as his teacher begins to speak, his eyes shift to her. He’s lounging a little, back against the wall, legs stretched out, his hands near his mouth, playful, expecting nothing.
And then he sees it. The new concept.
His body changes instantly.
He sits up straight.
Back tall.
Legs crossed.
His hands start moving quickly. His rapid connect sign flashing in front of him. A smile spreads across his face. He knows.
He’s connecting with his teacher. Nodding, eager. And then, he turns, scanning the room. Looking for me.
Our eyes meet, and he tugs on the invisible string between us. Look, Ana. It’s CK! He remembers that day back in November when I mentioned that special pattern in a shared writing activity. It was a spontaneous and quick moment, but he engraved it in his memory.
For months now, he has been bringing me words. Lunchroom discoveries shouted across tables. Grabbing my arm so I won’t miss the newest one. Asking me to pull my phone so I can add it to our list.
Duck!
Tickle!
Racket!
Patrick!
His word world expanding a little more each day.
Start with a Story 
You see so many students each day and yet still manage to build these deeply impacting connections. I’m in awe.
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I love the learning happening, but love the student connection more!
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Love this! I just taught a small group about ck in kinder today. I hope they find joy like this every time they see it.
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Ana you have such a way with words! You captured his enthusiasm growing in such a perfect way. You brought all readers to that classroom with you!
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Oh wow! I may have to share this slice with my students to remind them that there was a time when learning was so joyful. You do a wonderful job of describing him and his reaction – to ck of all things! What a pleasure! What a wonderful reminder on a Friday morning.
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I love this slice! You captured the innocence and wonder children have! They bring us their curiosity and we receive it with open arms! And of course, I love UFLI 🤩
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Oh, the straight back and the connections! Dopamine and learning hard at work! Love the expanding world of words and the documentation of it!
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Ana, this post made me think of the Peter Reynolds book, The Word Collector! His -ck words fill his list and then he shares them with you — his word confidant! I love how this slice highlights small but significant moves forward in this student’s literacy journey, but it equally reveals the support you are giving him every step of the way. Love the craft move of exclaiming the words at the start and the end…it ensures the words are the stars! Happy Friday!
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This is SO SWEET. I love how just a small, spontaneous moment has lit a fire under this kid and his phonics learning, and that he’s been collecting words ever since. Amazing.
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Aaahhh! Such a good one. The way you describe the scene, I’m right back in that moment. Thank you for sharing.
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