Playing School: Allison's Essay

It is happening less and less, but ever since Peyton started Kindergarten, he and Allison have enjoyed playing school.  They both enjoy setting up their school room, gathering supplies and planning the day.  Peyton is (always) the teacher and he organizes the day according to his own classroom experiences.  Allison is (always) the student and she organizes her backpack and cubby space, packs a lunch and looks forward to snack and recess time.  Peyton has clear expectations and means serious business.  Allison expects endless time with her brother that should include snack time and recess time and expanding the imagination.   Still, eager to please her teacher (big brother), she tolerates the "work" portion of their play time.  There are times (often), where home school sounds more like "work" than "play"  but they both keep at it.  Over the years, Peyton truly has taught Allison some valuable skills.  He can be very patient and very kind.  She is capable and willing to learn.  Together, they make a great team and truly do complement each others' personalities.

I have a hunch that the latest assignment is a result of it being standardized test time at school.  Peyton's class has been practicing and preparing in recent weeks and he has especially enjoyed (yes, he enjoys it!) the writing assignments they have been doing.  This past weekend, I heard their home school in session.  Peyton asked Allison to write a 2-page comparison paper.  I held my tongue, wondering where, exactly, Allison's mood and attention might be.  Undaunted, and in fact, excited and motivated, she found the paper and writing utensil that she felt most suited for her task and set about writing her essay.  Only a few minutes later, she was finished.  Peyton immediately began to correct it.  Both teacher and student were thrilled with the final product.  She was proud;  as were we.  

 "Allison Russells 2 Page essay - A Narwall" 

"a Narwals horn 

is axule a tooth.  

thay are blue as a 

baby and grae as a 

udllt    it is sowe cool.

Narwalls are 

difrint from Dallfins 

and ulice.  narwalls

are basikle Dallfins

iksept thay have a

tooth horn   thay are varere

ulik and difrint."