In this time outside of the neighborhood, I've committed to writing a series of short stories for both elementary-aged students and educators. The series is entitled "KidzTeach" because they are centered around the stories I have learned as an adult through working with children. The first lesson in the series is entitled "Hurry Up and Slow Down" while the second is  entitled "That's What I Remember" and is more of message from students to their educators. Important to remember that this series is just for me haha (no publishing on the horizon.) 

 

KidzTeach Series

Hurry Up &

Slow Down

 

As the sun rose above the barn

A young rooster was knitting socks with purple yarn 

When he heard his dad with a loud cokadoodledoo

waking up the farm

 

He went up to his dad and dropped his yarn 

Why the loud noise at this hour

Near the barn?

Isn’t it too early to sound the alarm?

 

His dad replied, it’s time to rise

Up before the farmer 

Who is still rubbing his eyes

Time is running out he said swatting a fly

 

Young rooster thought with a smile

I think it’s okay if we go slow and take a while 

Slowly knitting is more my style 

Hurry Up & Slow Down”

 

In the corner of the barn a spiderling sat on a quilt

watched his older brother quickly spin a web of silk

It shimmered in the sun like threads of milk

 

He crawled over to help and when he did…

 

His brother tapped his foot up and down

You’re way too slow he said with a frown 

Time is running out- it’s not time to be a clown 

 

Young rooster stepped in to help his friend…

 

She just needs to practice and improve her sight

It takes time for artistic might

We all start SLOW- no need to fight 

Hurry Up and Slow Down

 

Now near the mud puddles in the barn by the loft

A piglet  was eating her slop from the trough

When she saw her older cousin cannonball 

in mud sticky and soft

 

Cuz pig trotted over to the trough to eat

She didn’t even take a seat

In a minute the food was gone-even the treat!

 

And she ran off with to play tag with her  friends

 

Did you see that? Piglet said to rooster and spider

That was so fast I  couldn’t even think

That food was gone in all but a blink

Does she even remember what she ate in her belly sink?

Hurry Up and Slow Down

 

Near the pond and the croaks in late-afternoon

The frogs sang their brilliant croon

And the butterflies and grasshoppers hummed to the tune

 

A baby frog hopped from rock to rock

He hopped so many times he lost his sock

He listened to the adult frogs gossip and talk 

 

CROAK! All you do is hop around

You need to practice your singing sound

You’re runNing out of time! 

Said Uncle frog whose eyes were round

 

But I want to improve my jump and my hop

I just love it so much, and I cannot stop

Everyone is always in a rush he CROAKED with a flop

They need to 

Hurry Up & Slow 

 

In the evening the calf watched his mother in a race

She wanted to make the most milk- a whole case

And she did not take a break until sweat poured down her face

 

But the little friends noticed that there was not one smile

And the other cows did not laugh during the race which took a while

What’s the fun in that? Calf thought as he munched grass from a pile

 

If only they would Hurry Up and Slow Down

 

In the sunset sky painted over the farm

A few fireflies danced together with their charm

They talked to each other and floated around the barn

 

The young friends chatted under that star streaked sky

Thinking about the events of today and wanted to know why

Everyone hurried and rushed around with a sigh

So they found wise grandfather firefly 

 

Well my dear friends, I understand what you are saying

It’s not so long ago that I hurried and bustled without playing

But I became ill and my light went out because my joy was decaying

 

Then what happened?

The friends all leaned in

Well I realized that slowing down was actually a win

I did things with more care, more kindness and a grin

 

 By watching all of you…

 I learned to Hurry Up and Slow Down

 

That’s What I Remember

 

I don’t remember all the moments in time

Where I learned about math, spelling and rhyme

 

But I remember the sunflower frame you made me and the design

That’s what I Remember

 

I don’t remember the math speed drills

Or the passage we read on someone named Will

 

But I remember the day you cried

Saying goodbye to us still

That’s what I remember

 

I don’t remember the difference between perimeter and area okay?

I don’t remember the vocabulary practice we did every day

 

But I remember the lunch bunches in your classroom

Where you allowed us to stay

That’s what I remember

 

I don’t remember our mailboxes overstuffed

I don’t remember the packets of extra fluff

 

But I remember when you belly laughed

And we just couldn’t get enough

That’s what I remember

 

I don’t remember the pencil I used to write

Or the notebook we used to complete homework at night

 

But I remember when you wrote

Happy Birthday in shaving cream all in white

That’s what I remember

 

I remember your smile

 

I remember my elementary dreams

 

 

I remember how you calmed me down so I could let off some steam

 

I remember your gentle words, your energy and grace

 

And I hope you remember why you became an educator

In the first place