It occurred to me this morning, not for the first time, but rather strongly, that many of the students I sub for have very different childhood experiences from what I had. That isn't necessarily bad, but it needs to be taken into consideration when we teach them. So here are some questions that stem from my childhood.
1) Have you ever climbed a tree and sat in the branches a few minutes?
2) Have you ever played in a creek and made a dam across it?
3) Have you ever made a tunnel in snow?
4) Have you ever raised a farm animal for food?
5) Have you ever helped preserve food from your family's own garden for the winter?
6) Have you ever known everyone who lives on your street?
7) Have you ever blown the seeds off of puffy dandelions?
8) Have you ever sat on a teeter totter?
9) Have you ever camped outside with no tent?
10) Have you ever spent most of the day outside without parent supervision?
Note: I am not saying these things are all necessary or worthwhile experiences - just different. My own children would probably answer no to most of these questions. Very different lives.
