Fortunately for me (at least in this point in time), Jenna likes to
experiment with things that she’s watched or read. The latest comes from a book “No Talking" by
Andrew Clements. A boy, interested in
Ghandi, decides to experiment with no talking.
His experiment eventually turns into a contest between the fifth grade
girls and boys – which group can go the longest without talking for two whole days?
This sounded quite probable to Jenna – who
not only talks quite a bit but does it rather LOUDLY despite everyone’s efforts
to get her to tone it down. I have told
her countless times that it really is possible to be excited without being
loud. I don’t necessarily want her to
stop talking, but it would be nice to have volume control.
So (as we are reading this book) I look at
her and say, “I bet you wouldn’t even make it for twelve hours without
talking.” She has taken me up on my
offer. Her first attempt was on Labor
Day. She did 3 and a half hours without
saying more than 20 words. Her attempt the following Saturday was even more
pathetic.
I introduced Jenna to Andrew Clements
just this year. I like his stories for
the most part. I read one called “Extra
Credit” about letter correspondence between a sixth grade girl from the United
States and a fifth grade boy (via his younger sister) from Afghanistan. Of course with that, Jenna wants the
opportunity to have a foreign pen pal.
Now there’s a dying art – correspondence through the post office and not
just email or facebook.
We checked out some books on CD for
her to listen to while she’s supposed to be sleeping. So far she likes Andrew Clements books the
best.
Last night we went over the sign
language alphabet. This morning she has decided to experiment with “No Talking”
once again. Just in case she should
actually make it into the school without having said a word (though I did say that
Spanish is permitted) I sent a warning to each of her teachers should they call
on her. I think it will be quite awesome
if she actually does make it for more than four hours. (Though our initial bet was twelve)
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