Andrew's vocabulary increases by leaps and bounds. The kid is a sponge/parrot/ape whatever. In any case, I have to be verrrrry careful when I stub my toe around him, if you know what I mean.
He went through a "Why?" phase for about three weeks. Everything you said to him got a "why?" response.
Go to bed.Why?
Because I said so.
Why?
Shit, you got me there, kid.
Shit! Shit! Shit!
Dammit, don't say that word.
Why?
Because.
Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!
*sigh*
Now he's going through a "what" phase. Every sentence gets a what, but here's the thing: it doesn't always mean that he wants you to repeat what you said. It's not always "What?" but often a very declaratory and emphatic WHAT.
I haven't quite figured out what (heh) he means by it when it's not a question. I have found that you can't write off nonsense words with this kid. He always attaches meaning to everything he says. He doesn't really babble.
Maybe he saw some British kids show. ("I say. I think I'll go to Highgrove for tea and a jolly good rogering, what, what.") Maybe he's working his way through the interrogative pronouns so he can get to his "whom" stage. Who knows?
Today I handed an information sheet to my students - just a few paragraphs and a diagram that shows the earth's tilt and the seasons. A student promptly raises his hand (handout in front of him) and asks, "Is this our test?" I was so shocked that I mumbled, standing there at the front of my classroom, unable to get any real words out! There wasn't a question in any of the 4 short paragraphs!
Apparently nowadays kids skip the "whom" phase altogether and go directly to the "Is this our test?" phase. Continue working with Andrew and he'll get there!
Yes, let's all endeavor to get Andrew to a level above that of your students. I don't think that it will be all that hard, from what you tell me.
Posted by: Jen Rodis at December 15, 2005 6:30 PMthis is certainly good practice for you!
Posted by: kath's mom at December 16, 2005 8:38 AMHey Jen, do you know what they call Santa's elves?
Subordinate clauses!
Posted by: susan at December 18, 2005 7:24 PM