genius at work

Each Monday afternoon I spend an enjoyable hour tutoring a 4th grader from South Wayne Elementary. Most of the sessions are spent reading and working on math, especially multiplication. But today, since the students had been taking Istep tests for several hours we were instructed to let our students color spring theme pictures, the best of which will be selected to be reprinted on thank you notes to be sent to the tutor volunteers. It was fun to watch my young lady get to work on this project. I gave her the paper and brand new box of crayons (doesn't everyone love a new box of crayons?) and explained the project to her. I also gave her a small white board and marker that are part of our regular equipment. I thought she might use it if she wanted to practice drawing some detail but she quickly sketched out her whole composition on the white board then proceeded to translate it into a full color drawing on the paper.  I particularly enjoyed her running commentary on her grandma's flower garden as she created her masterpiece of flowers, sun and butterflies, based on colors she had seen there.  I am sooo ready for spring now.