March 2023 SOLC–Day 24
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We’d just finished reading “The Truth about Bears” by Maxwell Eaton III. As we looked at the final page, we examined the map showing where bears lived in the world. We’d already learned earlier that bears don’t live in Australia, Africa and Antarctica. The map confirmed this. Our conversation was winding down, and I glanced up at the clock.
“Time to get moving,” I said. “Let’s pack up and head to Specials.”
Chatter erupted. and kids picked up their stuff and headed to cubbies. A few lingered at the rug.
“Are there any bears in Ireland, ” S asked.
S, you should know, is a bit preoccupied with Ireland. It all started when the Music Teacher had the kids learn Irish songs for their spring concert. She spent some time teaching them about Ireland and Irish culture, and S remains thoroughly smitten with all things Irish.
Earlier this winter he announced, “Mrs. Hogan, I’m not going to be here for the whole year, you know. I’m going to be leaving.”
“You are?” I asked, puzzled, as I hadn’t heard anything about this.
“Yes,” he said, “I’m going to Ireland. And I’m going to miss the rest of second grade.”
He was quite definite about this and even though it didn’t sound quite right, I didn’t totally dismiss it. After several other teachers asked me in passing if S was really going to miss the end of the year to go to Ireland, I decided I should check with his grandmother.
“I wish,” she said.
At any rate, back to the potential for Irish bears.
“I don’t think so,” I said, glancing at the map.
“Yes, there are,” he said.
“Well, look,” I pointed. “This is Ireland, and it doesn’t show any bears there.”
He walked away and said quietly, but adamantly, “There are bears in Ireland…and they’re green.”
K, who was still gathering up her things, overheard him and shook her head.
“S, there’s no such thing as green bears.”
She turned to walk to her cubby, then suddenly stopped. Slowly, she turned all the way around and looked at me.
“There aren’t, are there?”
Nix the comfort zone 
Gosh, I would have loved to be a fly on the wall during the Irish bear conversation, but you have brought me the next best thing – you deftly scribed the context and all that occurred to the lead up of this very special, albeit green, bear. This was a delightful read.
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It still makes me smile to think about it. Glad you enjoyed it, too!
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Nope. No green bears. But a lot of believing which is a beautiful thing. Love how you capture the conversation and weave in other conversations from a different time, as well.
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You are so right! “A lot of believing” is a beautiful thing!
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I LOVE the last line. It captures that age perfectly… There are all about the affirmative statements- there are no bears, we ARE going to Ireland… etc but then they are full of wonder and curiosity at the same time.
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That wonder and curiosity is such a precious commodity!
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I’m laughing. This is great! It makes me think of Billy Collins’ poem Irish Spider. A spider without country….it makes me chuckle every time.
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That is a poem I don’t know…off to check it out! Thanks!
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Just love this exchange and gotta love S who loves all things Irish! The end of this post made me laugh ohtloud! Reading your slice was a great way to start my morning!
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It was a great way to end my day 🙂
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Fact and fiction mixing evenly with the power of positive thinking….May S manifest his way to Ireland, and find something just as good as green bears!
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S is an adventure in and of himself everyday. He spent considerable time the other day trying to convince his dubious classmates that snakes are pollinators.
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This is a precious exchange. You captured the dialogue perfectly, making me feel like I was giggling about Irish bears, green bears, and more.
BTW: this transition was {chef’s kiss}:
At any rate, back to the potential for Irish bears.
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I loved that willingness to consider the possibility of green bears existing!
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I love S’s imagination and determination. Kids are wonderful sources for wonderment. Why can’t there be green bears in Ireland? I hope S goes there and finds some!
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I love that he’s so enamored with all things Irish, and also hope he manages to travel there some day.
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