Today Badly Drawn Dog and I went to Sumner Math and Science Academy near 5th and Kostner. The school is broken into two buildings. One is older, has high ceilings, and the hallways could use more art. Or some art. The other building seems newer, has plenty of art, and is completely detached from the older building. There must be an explanation for this disconnect between buildings, and I am curious to learn it because it seemed strange to me.
Guy, a wonderful Sit Stay Read volunteer agreed to introduce me to the class. He registered us as guests in the newer building as a mom explained to the displeased but compassionate principal the car trouble that caused her two kids to arrive at school over an hour late. I was pleased to see such close attention being paid to the comings and goings of the individual students by the hectic front office.
We proceeded to the artless building where our two classes were located. One reading was scheduled for 10 and the other for 10:30. The first one went great. I did the same progression of events as Monday – show the kids some of my art, read the book , ask a few comprehension questions, then do a dog drawing with their input. We drew a Maltese/Pit Bull/German Shepherd named Lany playing in his yard with his owner. In the second classroom, again, same sequence of events, only this time we drew a Chihuahua (which none of us, including the teacher, could spell)/Pit Bull/Rottweiler named Billy, also in his yard playing with his owner. But the kids in this class rightly felt he should have a fenced yard.
I finished drawing and Guy explained that I would sign the book and give it to the classroom. He was asking the kids to spell a few words here and there to get their attention (an excellent strategy.) A small boy with cornrows and a yellow/black striped polo shirt walked up to me and whispered conspiratorially, “I’ve been keepin’ a secret.” He paused for effect. “I’m an artist too.”
He stared at me for a reaction to his revelation. My heart was stalled by his secret, and his tender presentation of it to me, like a glimpse of soul, so it was hard to talk.
“That’s great!”I finally whispered back, conspiring in his plan of keeping this information under wraps.
“Do you want to see my work?” he asked.
“Of course” I said, and he headed to his desk.
I was afraid he was going to get in trouble for coming up to me. That kind of behavior had been reprimanded before in this classroom. I desperately hoped coming back with artwork to show me wouldn’t make him more of a teacher target. But Ms. G was too involved in the spelling lesson to comment. Or maybe she knew the secret too, and approved of him sharing it with me. The boy came back with a stick drawing of some kids playing. I commented on his excellent composition and clear style. He walked away, pleased.
I gave the teacher the signed copy of Badly Drawn Dog and a printout of my piece “Butterfly Dog.” Another girl called me over to her desk, reached into it without taking her eyes off of me and handed me this drawing.
