We are currently eyeball deep into the realm of tattle-taling and copying. Each day is filled with countless opportunities to discuss various strategies for dealing with tattlers, dealing with one’s inclinations to tattle, and the concepts of justice and injustice inherent in tallying tattles.
Our elementary school has a new campaign which originated from the modern crusade against bullying. By the way, Jacob believes that all graffiti and tagging is done by “naughty bullies.” We are definitely anti naughty bullies.
So this campaign consists of three words: Stop, Walk and Talk. It involves teaching kids how to deal with being bullied, bothered or teased. First you use words and gestures to tell the person to stop. Then you walk away if the problem continues. Finally, you talk to an adult if the issue is still not resolved.
Tonight at dinner we were discussing the behavior chart in Maestra Patiño’s class. It consists of colors that range from highest to lowest: morado (purple), azul (blue), gris (grey), verde (green), amarillo (yellow), anaranjado (orange), and rojo (red). Every day each student starts on verde and then has to sube (raise) or baja (lower) their name based on instructions from the teacher during the course of the day for good and bad behaviors. As far as we can tell, Jakey has done a pretty good job of not falling below amarillo. Anything lower and I think you get e-mails and other unsavory communications from adults of authority. Jacob is very clear that we do not wish to receive such communications.
So tonight we’re discussing the kindergarten behavior chart and he tells us about a girl in his class and how she’s been on rojo a lot lately. He couldn’t really describe exactly what behaviors have surely created a level of angst in her parent’s e-mail inbox, but I’m sure it must be pretty disruptive. Apparently she does a lot of tattling, but any role Jacob may have in provoking said tattles is clearly murky. Sounds like she may be the recipient of unwanted chasing. In any case we’re discussing the Stop, Walk and Talk method and Jake says, “She doesn’t believe in Stop, Walk and Talk.” She being the unnamed girl on rojo.
“She told me she thinks it’s a trick against kids… to make us tattle.”
James and I both choked on our dinner while trying to maintain a look of mature contemplation. She sounds feisty, doesn’t she? Jake better watch his tale.