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In the book “90 Ways of Community”, Kim Johnson writes about a quirky family tradition of hiding a Where’s Waldo figurine around the house for others to find. We all have quirky traditions. I thought about a quirky tradition we have in my classroom. I decided to use a haibun form.
I remember the day that Chloe wrapped the tail of Jack-the-lemur, a class plushie, around the bars of her chair and left him there for other students to find. From then on, magically around the first of December, Jack comes alive. He travels each day to a new space–hanging on the American flag, digging in the mailbox of origami figures, even riding a cardboard prothonotary warbler hanging from the ceiling. Where will he go next? Years later, my students wait for this month of wonder.
Who needs elf-on-the-shelf when there’s Jack-the-lemur? Quirky classroom fun.
Jack the lemur is much better than that awful elf. I’m not sure it’s a quirky traditions, but I do have an obsession w/ my angel tree topper. Anyway, these traditions are fun for little people. And the heibun is a wonderful poetry form.
This makes me want to be back in the classroom- if it is such a fun one! Way to make special memories. It reminds me of favorite stuffed animal day, when after my first graders came back from lunch and recess their animals were all over the room, with block buildings, books open, and looking in the mouse cage. In my own home and marriage we used to take turns hiding a rubber snake, and now it is a plaster cast of someone’s teeth! Thanks for the fun haibun 🙂
So much fun! I taught at an independent (private) school, where all the classes have animal names. When I taught kindergarten we were the Penguins. When I moved to 4th grade, we were the geckos. I did have a live gecko in the classroom for awhile.
Just what I needed to read today! A bit of fun in the classroom is always a good idea. Hmm? I may have to play this with my grandson. He comes Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoon after school. Might be fun to have a critter go hide.
Margaret, I love how your slice allowed me to be a fly on the wall. I am envisioning watching the wheels turn as your students decide on the next space to place Jack! Lucky students!
Margaret, this warms my heart! I have needed laughter and joy like this for the past couple of weeks with everything going on in the world, and this extrarordinarily unique lemur with the unexpectedly ordinary name is just such a delight! It reminds me of my daughter’s dog toys (matching stuffed dachshund toys just like her dog), each of which has a sophisticated name like Frederico and Ramirez…and then there’s a stuffed gecko named Jeff. I love that your students have these quirky traditions. This is a perfect slice to keep the surprise moments putting smiles on our faces. I love it, love it, love it so much!
Oh, I love Jack-the-Lemur. It is a clever idea, and so unexpected. I bet Chloe is happy to see she started a tradition when she wrapped his legs around her chair. Sweet slice of life in your classroom today.
Margaret, I have never hear of Jack-the-Lemur but he seems to delight your students. I hope you read your poem to your students. If your students write any valentine poems (heartnotes, love notes, etc.) I would love to share them on my padlet this week
Margaret Simon lives on the Bayou Teche in New Iberia, Louisiana. She teaches gifted elementary students, writes poetry and children's books. Welcome to a space of peace, poetry, and personal reflection. Walk in kindness.
Reflections on the Teche 
Margaret,
Jack the lemur is much better than that awful elf. I’m not sure it’s a quirky traditions, but I do have an obsession w/ my angel tree topper. Anyway, these traditions are fun for little people. And the heibun is a wonderful poetry form.
I love how Jack the Lemur is playing Mastermind. I bet a lot of your students wanted to play after seeing him play.
This makes me want to be back in the classroom- if it is such a fun one! Way to make special memories. It reminds me of favorite stuffed animal day, when after my first graders came back from lunch and recess their animals were all over the room, with block buildings, books open, and looking in the mouse cage. In my own home and marriage we used to take turns hiding a rubber snake, and now it is a plaster cast of someone’s teeth! Thanks for the fun haibun 🙂
Oh my! My family has the rubber snake thing and it’s particularly for scaring me.
My grandkids love to scare me with a rubber snake.
So much fun! I taught at an independent (private) school, where all the classes have animal names. When I taught kindergarten we were the Penguins. When I moved to 4th grade, we were the geckos. I did have a live gecko in the classroom for awhile.
I had a guinea pig named Mr. Pants when I taught 3rd grade in an independent school. Elementary teaching is the best!
Just what I needed to read today! A bit of fun in the classroom is always a good idea. Hmm? I may have to play this with my grandson. He comes Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoon after school. Might be fun to have a critter go hide.
I will definitely pass this on to my grands after I retire.
Margaret, I love how your slice allowed me to be a fly on the wall. I am envisioning watching the wheels turn as your students decide on the next space to place Jack! Lucky students!
They don’t move him. It’s magic. But he only has magic in December.
Margaret, this warms my heart! I have needed laughter and joy like this for the past couple of weeks with everything going on in the world, and this extrarordinarily unique lemur with the unexpectedly ordinary name is just such a delight! It reminds me of my daughter’s dog toys (matching stuffed dachshund toys just like her dog), each of which has a sophisticated name like Frederico and Ramirez…and then there’s a stuffed gecko named Jeff. I love that your students have these quirky traditions. This is a perfect slice to keep the surprise moments putting smiles on our faces. I love it, love it, love it so much!
I’ll have to bring Jack to our workshop. He has traveled to NCTE and posed for pictures with authors.
Oh, I love Jack-the-Lemur. It is a clever idea, and so unexpected. I bet Chloe is happy to see she started a tradition when she wrapped his legs around her chair. Sweet slice of life in your classroom today.
Margaret, I have never hear of Jack-the-Lemur but he seems to delight your students. I hope you read your poem to your students. If your students write any valentine poems (heartnotes, love notes, etc.) I would love to share them on my padlet this week