Thursday, February 25, 2021

RUN, SPOT, RUN! SEE SPOT RUN!

I was 6 years and 2 months old when I discovered the joy of WORDS.  I was in the first grade in a very small school in a very small town, and I had the extreme blessing and joy to have for my first grade teacher MISS ROBERTA CHAMPION.  Though that was so many, many years ago I can see every detail of that classroom; I can hear the simple songs that Miss Champion taught us; and I can hear her sweet voice as she led us each day to recite...A is for Apple, B is for Ball, C is for Cat...


But the thing I remember most from that year is that....I LEARNED TO READ.  Oh, how I loved reading time.  As did most children of that era, we learned to read with DICK, JANE, SALLY, and their dog SPOT.

I can remember the excitement when we did our Round Robin Reading (which is no longer used in classrooms...and really for good reasons) and it was my turn to read.  "Run, Dick, run!  Run, Jane, run!  See Dick run.  See Jane run.  Oh, oh, oh.  Look!  See Dick and Jane run."  (Or something to that effect.)

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT DICK & JANE

*By 1950, an estimated 80% of American 1st graders were reading Dick & Jane texts.

*Every page contained only one new word that the reader hadn't yet seen in any previous Dick & Jane collections.  On ever 3rd page, all the new words would be combined.  And not a single story introduced more than five or six new words.                                source:  www.mentalfloss.com  


Many....so many....years have passed but my love of reading has not diminished.  Many people (including myself now and then) choose to read novels via their KINDLE.  But I, for one, much prefer the feel of a real book in my hands as I turn the crisp pages.  And just as I loved learning new words at the age of 6, I still find joy in discovering words I have never seen before.  In fact, each day on my email, I receive a new word and its meaning...it’s like discovering a little treasure.



I’ve really learned some interesting new words lately.  I doubt I will use them or even remember them, but still...lots of fun just seeing them in print and thinking about how I might possibly use them in conversation.

Here are a few recent ones that have come my way, but instead of immediately telling you the meaning, I’ll let you see if you can figure them out for yourself.  We all need to brush away those mental cobwebs occasionally!  (But just in case, the answers are below.)                  



1.  I was so frumious when my hairdresser broke my much-needed haircut appointment.     (This happened to me today!)

 

2.  Knowing how to speak French, Italian, English, and German certainly makes him an amazing polyglot. 

 

3.  After he swindled me out of a lot of money, I realized what a snollygoster he is.

 

4.  His galimatias was caused by dementia.

 

5.  An exercise in omphaloskepsis is a waste of time, but my toddler seems to enjoy it.

 


Answers:

1.  angry

2.  someone who can speak many different languages

3.  an unscrupulous person

4.  unintelligible talk

5.  navel gazing

Oh, how I love WORDS!  They are magical.  My six-year-old self is far in the past, but my memories of Miss Champion, Dick & Jane, and the feel of that first basal reader will forever be with me...along with my love of reading, a gift and a blessing I will always cherish.

 

And to end on a fun note...

Although he was once a polyglot and a snollygoster, he now spends his days engaged in galimatias and omphaloskepsis; therefore, I cannot remain frumious with him.



I’m someone who likes to rub words in his hands, to turn them around and feel them, to wonder if that really is the best word possible.           (American novelist James Salter, 1993) 


23 comments:

  1. I remember Mrs Claxton my first grade teacher who taught me to read. I was excited too. I ran all the way home from school that first day I could read yelling, I can read, I can read!!!

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    1. Oh, I love this:) I taught 2nd grade for most of my 40+ years in education and seeing the light bulb turn on and kids begin reading just warmed my heart and soul.

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  2. What lovely memories!!!!!!!!!

    Not growing up in a family, which read, I was soooo thrilled with a 3rd-4th grade teacher, who read to us, chapters of a book, at a certain time of the school day.

    It was soooooooo wonderful to me, to be read to.

    I still remember it, and her. -smile-

    πŸ“• πŸ“— πŸ“š πŸ“™ πŸ“˜

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    1. I was an early education teacher for many years and one of my absolute favorite things to do was to read to my kiddos. I still miss that:) I also always read to my kids and grandkids. Nothing like sharing a good book with people you love.

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  3. That was great. I love words too, and you've drummed up some good ones today! I kind of understood all of them except the last one...never heard of "navel gazing" before! LOL. That's a new one! Now, whose navel is he gazing at? His own or someone else's? LOL!! I loved the Dick and Jane and Sally, etc. books, and remember them well. And yes, I love real books too. I don't do the ebooks or whatever. I do too much on the computer screen as it is. I read to relax, and I relax best with a book in my had that I can feel, smell, and turn the pages over and over again while I recline in my recliner with a cup of hot tea beside me. The world would be such a boring place without real books to peruse and read. Thank you for this very stimulating post. My brain needs a good challenge now and then.

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    1. I just love every single word you said here:) I had never heard of navel gazing either!!! Not sure I can even see mine anymore so good thing I don't partake in that pastime...LOL!!!

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  4. Yes, this post brings back wonderful memories. I'm guessing that would be true of most bloggers.

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    1. I feel sure many can remember Dick, Jane, etc. Hope it brings back wonderful memories:)

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  5. I have started playing an online word game and wow, I punch in letters accidentally that look like gibberish and find out they're words! Who knew!!

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    1. ou'll have to let me know where I can find that game! I absolutely love word games. However, my vocabulary isn't all that extensive so I really have to work at them! I taught 2nd grade for most of my years and I think my vocab got stuck there:)

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  7. Dick and Jane....wow, that brings back memories. I do not like reading on the computer. If its a short read I am good, but if it is longer, then I print it off to read it. I love the books, the feel of the paper and being I started working at a printing company at 16, I love the smell of the ink. Nothing better for a girl that ran a press. Always heard once you have printers ink on you, its in your blood.

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    1. I'm with you..I like the feel of a book in my hands.

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  8. Re: your comment on my blog post.... https://her55kim.blogspot.com/2021/02/are-you-kidding-me-science.html

    You should be very proud of your little school system!!!! Keeping children in school.

    Same as private schools are doing in the big places, where the big teacher's unions are stopping public schools from opening up. :-((((

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    1. I'm so thankful I never had to be part of a teacher's union!

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  9. I too have had a lifelong love affair with words. I can taste them! xoxo

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    1. You definitely have a talent for words, Jenny! I love your blog:)

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  10. My first grade teacher was Mrs. Nordstrom (I don't think she owned the department store!) I loved reading also. Still do! I like a good book but also use my kindle when I need something to read and haven't got a good real book on the shelf! You brought back many memories of Dick and Jane times...those were the good old days!

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    1. So glad I brought back sweet memories for you:)

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  11. Oh Yes I read Dick & Jane & Sally in the 1950's in grade school.
    I was telling my sister I have Dick & Jane material left from making a grandson a quilt when he was born few years ago.
    I think I have a gift bag also with Dick & Jane & Sally on it.

    Janice

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    1. Janice, thanks so much for dropping by to chat:) I've never seen Dick and Jane material...but I am totally sure it is cute!!!

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  12. Books are brilliant.
    Words are wonderful.

    Happy March Wishes.

    All the best Jan

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