Prisms/ Prismas

Prisms in the window/ Prismas en la ventana

"Rainbows" on the wall / "Arcoiris" en la pared

"Rainbows" on the floor / "Arcoiris" en el piso

"Rainbows" on us! / �"Arcoiris" en nosotros!

Damian is a child who comes to our classroom every day for an hour of socialization. Although his speech is limited, he finds unique ways of communicating. Damian was working on the floor in the reading center one day when he discovered a "rainbow" on the rug beside him. He became very excited to see it there and proceeded to investigate. He covered it with his hands, only to discover that the "rainbow" was now on the back of his hand. Scratching, or tapping the floor did not disturb it. If he got up and walked around it, it would disappear when he stood between the "rainbow" and the window. I was sitting a short distance from Damian, watching him investigate his finding. He did not look to me for answers, but instead pulled another student to the area. The child began to explain that the "rainbow" was caused by the sunlight coming through the prisms that were hanging in the window. If you blocked the sun's rays, the "rainbow" would disappear. If you moved the prism, the "rainbow" would also move. If you placed something over the "rainbow", this would now be on the object. Damian remained enchanted with the "rainbow" the total time of his stay in our classroom that day. Soon it was time for him to return with his homeroom teacher. When she arrived to pick him up, Damian did not want to leave his "rainbow". He brought his teacher to the floor and with isolated words, tugs and gestures, he explained what he had discovered. She watched and allowed him to place her hand on the "rainbow" too. Still, it was time to leave. Other children were waiting for her. Damian clearly did not want to leave, and gave a sad look of pleading. His teacher simply stated, "I guess you will just have to bring it with you". Damian's face lit up. His eyes sparkled. He ran back to the spot where the "rainbow" was still on the floor and very gently scooped it up. With cupped hands and a triumphant radiance on his face, he said goodbye to me and left. His teacher later informed me that he went straight to his backpack and carefully put his treasured "rainbow" away. Then he went on about his classroom chores. Damian reminded me of valuable lessons that day. First, rainbows are special. They can be made simply by letting the sun shine through a prism and watching the beautiful colors radiate. Second, when you must leave to attend to responsibilities, "rainbows" can be carefully scooped up and put in a special place, to be enjoyed later. My students have been my prisms through the years. They radiate beautifully when I allow the warm sunlight of knowledge to pass through them. They have given me many precious "rainbow" memories that I have scooped up gently and tucked away in my heart, so I can enjoy them over and over again. Thank you Damian. Today you were the teacher!

Damian es un ni�o que viene a nuestro sal�n todos los d�as para pasar una hora de socializaci�n. Aunque su habla es limitado, siempre encuentra maneras muy especiales para comunicarse con los dem�s. Damian estaba trabajando en el piso en el centro de lectura cuando descubr� un "arcoiris" en el tapete. Se emocion� mucho al verlo, y quiso investigarlo. Lo cubri� con sus manos, solo para descubrir que el "arcoiris" ahora se encontraba en la parte de atr�s de su mano. Si rascaba o pegaba el piso, nada le pasaba al "arcoiris". Se mantenia fijo. Si el se levantaba y caminaba al su alrededor, el "arcoiris" desaparec�a cuando el se ponia entre �ste y la ventana. Yo me encontraba sentada cerca de Damian, y observaba como investigaba la situaci�n. No me busc� para darle respuestas. En su lugar, busc� a otro ni�o y lo traj� para que viera. El ni�o comenz� a explicarle que el "arcoiris" venia de los rayos del sol que pasaban por los prismas que colgaban en la ventana. Si se bloqueaban los rayos del sol, el "arcoiris" desaparecia. Si movias el prisma, el "arcoiris" tambi�n se movia. Si colocabas algo encima del "arcoiris" �ste se projectaba sobre el objeto. Damian qued� encantado con el "arcoiris" durante su hora de estancia en el sal�n. Pronto se lleg� la hora de regresar a su sal�n con su maestra titular. C�ando ella lleg� a la puerta, Damian no quer�a dejar su "arcoiris". Trajo a la maestra al lugar y le explic� todo con palabras cortas, estirones y gestos. Ella lo observ� y permiti� que le pusiera la mano en el "arcoiris" tambi�n. A�n as�, era hora de irse. Ella ten�a a otros ni�os esperando. Damian no quer�a irse, y lo mostraba con una cara de tristesa. La maestra simplemente le dijo, "Supongo que tendr�s que traerlo contigo." Con esto, la cara de Damian se ilumin�. Sus ojos brillaban. Corri� al lugar donde a�n se encontraba el arcoiris en el piso y con mucho cuidado lo recoji�. Con su "arcoiris" a salvo entre sus manitas ahuecadas y con una mirada radiante y truinfante, Damian me dijo adios y regres� a su sal�n. La maestra luego me inform� que Damian fu� directo a su mochila y cuidadosamente guardo su "arcoiris". Despu�s sigi� son sus asuntos en el sal�n. Damian me record� unas valiosas lecciones ese d�a. Primero, los arcoiris son especiales. Se hacen simplemente dejando pasar los rayos del sol atrav�s de un prisma y observando los colores que radian. Segundo, cuando te tienes que ir para attender a responsabilidades, se puede guardar el "arcoiris" en un lugar especial para disfrutarlo despu�s. Mis estudiantes h�n sido mis prismas atrav�s de los a�os. Radian colores hermosos cuando permito que pasen los rayos de sabiduria por ellos. Me han dado muchos recuerdos que he guardado con cuidado en mi coraz�n para despu�s disfrutarlos una y otra vez. Gracias Damian. �Hoy tu fuiste el maestro!

return / regresar

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