I'm a HUGE fan of the ol' traditional "oral report." There's nothing like it to practice so many skills at once: brainstorming, organizing, writing, speaking, etc.

Big K's second oral report this year was called, "Me in a Bag"... where she had to bring-in personal items in a bag and discuss them. Of course, she carefully selected each one and had a blast sharing them with her classmates today at school. And she graciously recreated the presentation for the "home-viewing audience" this evening - it was adorable. A simple, powerful reminder of how kids think and the importance they place on their personal objects.

I was particularly touched by the pride she felt over her basketball trophy. She realizes that every player got one (that's what she means when she says she "I didn't win a game"), and yet she's so proud just to have earned it for just being herself ("I just got it"). At the very end, you can't hear it, but she quietly says, "I love it", as she looks at it with 100% honest affection.

Having a balance between humility and pride is such a rare thing today that we often miss it or mistake it for insincerity... but there was nothing insincere about this moment. I got misty-eyed in seconds.

I'm sure Big K learned some great skills from her oral report, but in the end I think I learned a whole lot more about my daughter.

No votes yet