Dylan, the reading tutor, Elder

One of the many benefits of volunteering weekly in Dylan's classroom is seeing him interact with his classmates/teacher.  Usually, when I arrive Dylan 'needs a sip of water' right away, so that he can come by and acknowledge me sitting in the back of his classroom.  Depending on his mood, I can count on him stopping in 'for water' 1-3 more times during my 2 hours.  The great part about this for me is that (although he's only 6) during drop off in the morning Dylan sprints away from me like I have the plague.  I try desperately to kiss/hug/wave goodbye to him, but he has no interest in the mommy-PDA.  So, the reassurance in the classroom is fantastic for the ego.  I love this little man-child, but WOW is he growing up.

On to my point.  This past week while cutting some extremely tedious heart-shaped, laminated game from my back row vantage point in the classroom, the children were all paired with their 'reading partners' for sit-on-the-carpet shared reading time.  This partner is a peer who has exhibited similar reading aptitude.  Dylan and Holly are 'partners', and Dylan and Holly are the only two kids in their upper echelon of 1st grade reading-land (yes, i'm boasting a bit), so when one is out...the other is screwed.  Dylan was paired with another little girl who reads at a level significantly lower than what he is used to.  He was a STUD!!!  My heart is still glowing, and yes I even teared up.

As the girl struggled with her sight words, Dylan directed her to the tools on the board. "It's in the -et family, add a 'g', that makes?".  As she answered correctly, he cheered her on with, "Great job!!!  I knew you could do it!". At that point I cried...I was beaming, proud as you could be.  In love with my child like the first day I had seen his puffy little 9 lb. face.  Then, my buzz was killed.  Mrs. H wandered the room awarding those who had succeeded in 'reading partner' time with stickers.

What did Dylan do?  (i'm sure you're curious) He bent his head down during circle time and put the sticker on his forehead, raised his head and used surf's up hand motion and head bobbing motion to make the whole class giggle.  Mrs. H asked him to stop, and so he waited then did it again (5 min later).  I am convinced D is going to be a rock star in academics and athletics BUT continually a class clown...this kid loves a laugh.