KEEPING IT REAL • REAL LIFE WITH LORA WIMSAT T
A
Together... A
PART
nyone who ever wondered what it was like back in the days of
to know. Greater minds than
printed on the back of a box,
mine will debate that question
or
in the months ahead, but here’s
handwriting
the one-room schoolhouse may
what I do know, based on what
grandmother on a faded index
have found their answer this year.
I’ve seen and heard from my own
card.
children, grandkids, colleagues
was the kitchen, the living room,
and friends:
will – the children wrapped up
the bedroom, the garage … Maybe
Kids may have learned some
those treats and tied the packages
it’s more accurate to say there
of the most important lessons
with bright ribbons and gift tags,
was a lot of learning taking place
of their entire lives during this
carefully and neatly wrote “Thank
in a lot of one-house schoolrooms.
event.
you” notes and “I miss you”
Or maybe not. After all, there
Teachers
across
our
For
older
students,
U.S.
community did an amazing job –
history became more interesting
absolutely incredible – in rising
as they watched news broadcasts
up almost overnight to transform
of national, state and local leaders
their lesson plans from the way
discussing
they would have presented them
to the outbreak of the deadly
in the traditional classroom to
virus. Science and biology were
making them accessible to kids
suddenly more real and relevant
and their parent/teachers at
… and members of the medical
home.
profession were finally given their
And as far as educations go,
rightful due, hopefully inspiring
we all learned a lot about Non-
future generations to explore
Traditional Instruction, Google
careers in this heroic field.
Classroom,
Hangouts,
Clever,
their
responses
“Specials” like art and physical
a
great-
of
Then – for extra credit, if you
messages, and hopped into their car seats as Mom drove them to the homes of their teachers and friends to deliver these tokens of appreciation and thoughtfulness.
I think it’s fair to say that
everyone has passed this test with flying colors, graduating from this unprecedented school year … if only because the curve leans generously toward the side of “We did the best we could.”
This will all be over someday,
and things will go back to what
more.
by imagination. Chalk art on
Math, science, history, we
the driveway, hopscotch on the
normal, but we will appreciate it
were all unraveling a mystery
sidewalk and long walks with
more than we ever did before.
that all started with a big bang:
parents, siblings and the family
A worldwide outbreak of the
dog lasted as long as you wanted
on the Spring of 2020, we will
coronavirus, Covid-19. It doesn’t
– or until the thick sticks of chalk
remember it as the year we
get much bigger than a pandemic.
were worn down to stubs – with
learned
no bell to signal an end to the fun.
lessons of all: We are stronger
Kids measured ingredients
not because we are together in
wondered if their kids were
to make brownies, cupcakes and
one room, but because we are
learning everything they needed
cookies,
together in spirit.
and
worried
and
following
only
spidery
education
worked
limited
the
DoJo and more. Much, much
Parents and teachers alike
were
deciphering
directions
we used to take for granted as
And when we reflect back
the
most
important
OP
LORA WIMSATT is a mother, grandmother and writer. She enjoys the everyday blessings and adventures of life, especially her family.
14 OWENSBORO PARENT
. June // July 2020
