Claudio Salusso, Class of 2009, takes on another 8th grade
Claudio Salusso graduated from our teacher training last summer. During the entire three years that he was a student in the teacher training, he was also a class teacher at the Marin Waldorf School. His 8th graders, whom he began with when they were in 4th grade, graduated from their school just before Claudio graduated from the teacher training. Now Claudio is again teaching 8th grade. Recently our Director, Dorit Winter, had the pleasure of teaching that group of children for 3 weeks of a main lesson block on “Short Story.”
The 8th graders read 2 short stories by Jack London, worked on many exercises to facilitate detail in description, considered how to depict characters, and wrote half a dozen or so stories, each of which was based on a given theme. Below is one of the stories based on the idea that someone finds money. Who finds how much and what happens was entirely up to the students.
See a Penny
Kyle Turner looked up in excitement. All above him were lights, colors, and machines of large proportions. There were ferris wheels, zippers, and slides, all the way down to small booths where you could have your picture taken. Kyle stood in awe, only roused from his reverie by his mother tugging him out of the way of an elderly couple.
Kyle followed his mother through one of the “streets” made from game booths and food stands. Along the way his senses were overpowered by the screaming children, florescent stuffed prizes and the overwhelming stench of oil and sugar.
As he was walking along, Kyle noticed a gleam out of the corner of his eye. He broke free from his mother’s grip and went over to investigate. Upon further inspection Kyle realized it was a penny. He picked it up as his mother caught up with him.
“See a penny, pick it up, and all the day, you’ll have good luck,” his mother said.
Kyle smiled, but looked more serious. “If I drop it will I have bad luck?” he asked.
“That’s what they say,” said his mother.
Over the next two hours Kyle did indeed have good luck, At one game he threw a ring on a bottle and won a giant blue and white panda. At another, a lucky shot into a hoop earned him a beach ball. Even the lady at the Ferris wheel said he could ride for free because he was “so cute.”
After getting off the Ferris wheel Kyle was running to the cotton candy stand, when he tripped. The penny, which he had been holding, fell from his grip. Remembering his mother’s words from earlier, he stared in horror at the little piece of copper as it tinkled against the pavement. He quickly reached down and snapped it off the pavement, trying to pretend as if nothing had happened.
Half an hour later the boy was still wary, but was trying to enjoy himself. He was running to get in line for a ride when he slipped on a rock. The ground rushed to meet him and he was helpless. His knees scraped against the pavement. He howled and clutched them as blood began to trickle down his calves. Rushing over to his side, his mother tried to comfort him.
“Last time I ever pick up a penny,” he thought as he hobbled to the car to go home.
By Daniel, 8th grade.
