Pencil stories

What’s with the pencils?!

A recent visitor reminded me of her story:
As a junior missionary, Sara was working with a new student, Kevin. Kevin was a recent transfer from a school in the Luquillo area and had limited communication skills in sign language or spoken language. Sara had asked Kevin to please do some kind of writing and Kevin simply sat there. Sara showed him on the paper what to do and Kevin still did nothing. Now, Sara was thinking, “this is one stubborn kid!” when she noticed that silent tears were creeping out of Kevin’s eyes. She had no idea what to do nor did she understand the problem.

Another teacher walked in. Sara asked for help and explained the situation.

As it turns out, Kevin was holding a mechanical pencil and had no idea how to make the lead progress so that he COULD write. Once that problem was solved, Sara saw that Kevin was a very intelligent and cooperative young boy.

_ _ _ _ _

Miss Hoke for years had the habit of taking away pencils and weaving them into her hair. For example, while she was teaching and the little kids were playing with the pencils, she found it convenient to simply put the pencil within reach by putting it into her hair (it was longer hair and often secure by a scrunchy or French braid).

One day she asked her students (all boys!) to get their pencils and get to work (since she had so diligently and cleverly taught a wonderful lesson no doubt!). Well, the boys sat there. And she said, “Please get your pencils.” They sat, all attentive and smiling. “NOW, get your pencils!”

And then she realized they were STARING at their pencils… placed by her into her hair.
And she learned – NEVER SCOLD A CHILD ABOUT A PENCIL THAT IS IN YOUR POSSESSION!
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Then there was the year we were into rockets. Johanely made a rocket that looked like a pencil. We loved shooting them up into the air again and again.

Well, just the other day (this is like 3 years later), Daniel said, "Remember Johanely's pencil in the air?"

No. What? Huh?!

And of course eventually, he was able to show how the pencil shot into the air and his teacher DID remember.

And then Daniel asked, "What was the name of that pencil?"

And his teacher told him "R O C K E T"

Which was the word that was being taught at the original rocket launching activity...