MICRONESIA
Jason’s
Victory Socks T
eacher, I can’t put these on,” Jason* said, holding his shoes and socks in his hand. “I don’t know how.” I had just gathered my first-grade students into the classroom after a pleasant session of reading together on the lawn. Most of them had taken off their shoes and socks to enjoy the feel of the soft grass on their feet. But when they slipped back into their seats, they were properly dressed
Several of Michellana’s students.
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again. Everyone except Jason, who stood before me with an innocent, almost pleading, look in his eyes. “Jason,” I asked quietly, trying not to embarrass him, “have you tried to put your socks on? I will be happy to help you if you can’t do it, but I would like you to try first. You may be surprised by what you can do.” While Jason and I talked, I noticed that my other students had become unusually quiet.
They were sitting at their desks with folded hands, waiting to see what would happen next. Jason took a deep breath and then plopped down on the floor. He fumbled with his sock, struggling to get all five of his toes inside. After a few attempts, he threw down the s o c k a n d exclaimed, “See,