Show and Tell: tatted up!

As this student came forward to do her show and tell, I saw no items in her hands. She then proceeded to show the class her various tattoos. This does not technically meet the criteria I had given for show and tell, but I decided to allow it. (Since more than half of my students have tattoos, I really wanted something that I knew had been brought from home) However this student was new.... She explain how she had been "put out" of her home Her last conversation with her mom ended up with her mother shouting " I wish you were dead" Then a physical confrontation followed.

Each tattoo represented a different sibling, she missed her brothers & sisters. This generally well spoken, lively, diligent, new student picked show and tell to become vulnerable. I guarantee there is no one in her home reminding her to do her homework. The insight one can gain from show & tell has been amazing!

Show & Tell: The necklace

This show and tell involved a beautiful silver cross necklace. As my student held her precious possession she explained ... "In life there are times when one has to pawn jewelry, to eat or survive but no matter how bad it gets I will never pawn this necklace" I thought how such a young girl already knew about pawning items.

She then went on to say how there had been several Christmases and birthdays that her mother was unable to purchase her any gifts, however, she said, she was fine with that because she had received this special necklace. Then she explained how it was a git from her mother, and to her how it represented a mothers love...at this point another student pipes in " Wow, the last time I saw my mother she said she wished I was dead...." The class gasped.... Another memorable show and Tell.

Show & Tell in a High School Class: He's shot!

As a teacher I shouldn't have favorites but I do... I just hide it. This day one of my favorites was giving her show & tell. We have a history, I taught her last semester and I have seen her come such a long...long way. She has transformed from a very ADD / foul mouthed student to my number one helper. Tough girl from a tough neighborhood already living a tough life.

She brought an obituary from her cousin. Same age as her. They were raised together and living in NY. They had gone to a party at her request. While there her cousin was shot in a gang related incident. He died in her presence. She shared that she felt it was her fault because she asked him to go to the party. As a result of this incident (her words) She was shipped to NC to live with other family members so she would not be around that gang. She has never mentioned a mom. Only a dad in NY and Aunts here. The one year anniversary is approaching for both the death & his birthday. She is planning to travel to NY for his birthday celebration..as all the family will be gathering together to remember him.

I assured her it was not her fault. If the gang had something against him, they would have approached him one day or the next. I know she said, but I still feel guilty. "Be safe" I said... "It's good you are here" I encouraged her to make wise choices if she goes back for a visit. Again... I am given many reasons to pray, and pray I will do!

Show & Tell in a High School Class: I-pod

I have one male student. For his show& Tell he brought an I-pod. At first I wanted to correct him, as I-pods are not generally allowed on school property. Then he said... wait Mrs Hucko, this is a real show & tell.

He then proceeded to tell how his Father gave him the I-pod as a special gift two days before he was deported! He said his father has been gone now for 3 months. No family n Mexico has heard from him nor has anyone in the US. This was unusual for his dad because he was always in touch and part of the family. He is very worried about his father being detained or shot at the boarder.

One of the students was not really understanding and asked "Why was he deported?" My student looked at her and quickly replied, "because he was illegal" then she asked him, "Are you legal?" "No" he replied. Then he added, I am jut hoping to hear from my dad soon. The class clapped and he sat down. Wow.

Show & Tell in a High School Class: Baby!

One of my students brought their 1 yr. old baby boy for show and tell. Mom is now 16. She shared about her c-section birth, his name, weight, favorites... He was so happy and so good! She passed him around just like a baby doll.... from person to person so everyone in the class had the opportunity to hold him... he never cried.

Meanwhile she took questions from the class. Grandma watches him during the day, it's hard for her to have any social life now, etc then the following exchange took place: "What is the hardest thing about having a baby now?" Her response: "When his daddy stopped talking to me around Christmas time" "He has nothing to do with me or his son" Then after a brief exchange one of the stundents replied ... that's what all our daddy's do... they all leave us! How sad.

However, we all enjoyed the special visit from this little blessing.

Show & Tell in a High School Class: Book of Poems

I have a rather difficult, aloof student. She always boarders on a disrespectful attitude. She is quick tempered and does not respond well to structure or rules of any sort. She definalty gives off a "stay out of my way" temperment.

However, as she took center stage for Show & Tell she became alive and had outstanding presentation skills... I was shocked! Miss personality! She had brought a book of poems that she had written. The girls wanted her to read one... she was more than happy to share.... but as she flopped open the book her demenor instantly changed. It was a heart-wrenching poem of loss and death... death of siblings...father..mother... cousins...and friends. After she read the poem she shared that she (at age 16 or 17) has lost 20 family/close friends. The room was silent.

I complimented her on the quality of her writtings and encouraged her to continue to write. She quicly took her seat in the back of the room and as she did her "wall" surrounded her once again. But for a brief moment... in show & tell of all things she let us peak behind that very hard exterior...

Show & Tell in a High School Class: Porcelain Bunny

A rather shy young lady brought a cute porcelain bunny for her show & tell. With her head hung down and her soft voice she shared her story. As she spoke it was completely silent... the rest of the class wanted to know her story as well

This bunny was a gift from "one" of her step-fathers. He had come into her room at bed-time and gave her the bunny. He knew she always wanted a real one and he was sad that they were unable to ever give her one. He wanted her to know that she would always be special to him and if she ever doubted that, she would have this bunny to remind her. The next day he left her mom. She has started a bunny collection now. Then she sat down.

Show & Tell in a High School Class: Three Funerals

This particular day involves three young ladies with their show & tell. The first girl stood in front of the class, then began to cry. She was sharing the obituary of her Grandma who had died this past summer. She "stayed with" Grandma.. and she misses her very much... The class clapped & I thanked her for sharing.

The next student, a rather bubbly girl, quickly comes forward for her show & tell. Then suddenly she burst into tears and keeps repeating I cant talk, I can't do it... I quickly stood by her side and told her I would help. I unrolled the T-shirt she brought. On the back was a R.I.P. with dates on the front was a mans face. She shared this was a picture of her father who had died in a motorcycle accident four months ago. The family had T-shirts made to wear to his memorial service. She misses him very much. Again The class clapped & I thanked her for sharing...

The last student sharing for the day came forward... She quickly said "I can't do this!" and turned her back to the class. Again, I immediately stood beside her. She took out a poem and began to read it. A love-letter from her boyfriend. Then she shared how he died this past summer of a heart condition. Again, the class clapped & I thanked her for sharing...

As she took her seat I overheard one of my students say " Man... when it's my turn for show & tell I'm bringing a happy one!"

I am amazed as these girls choose to share such intimate stories with their classmates and me. But I sure do pray for them now on a regular basis. Oh... the experiences I am having with Show & Tell!

Show & Tell in a High School Class: The Christmas Card

The class was in aww of a beautiful handmade card that one of the young ladies brought for her show and tell. She shared how it was originally a food container box covered with white paper. The person who made the card had no access to construction paper.... and my student was very proud of his ingenuity and the overall quality of the card

The intricate hand drawing was of a beautiful African-American baby girl, all done with colored pencils. It had to take many hours. She read us the poem on the inside of the card, an original, beautiful poem from a father to a daughter, no matter how old she will get, she will always be "his little girl"

This hand made card was her Christmas present from her Dad in prison. He has been incarcerated since she was in 6th grade (she is now a senior) It has been well over a year since her last visit, and she has no idea if or when he will be released. But she wanted to share with the class, that she will always be "His little girl"

Show & Tell in a High School Class: Introduction

Each day three to five students will be sharing a show and tell until everyone (36 students) in two classes has taken a turn. I totally expected a variety of stuffed animals or electronic gadgets however peppered in with those items have been items attached to heartbreaking and unbelievable stories. By far the most common item has been obituaries.... Grandmas, Mom's, Cousins... Dads.....

What has taken place for most of the students is a window into their life where they are freely sharing their heart ache with the entire class. After the show & tell time we continue with our scheduled classwork, but often my heart is aching for theses young lives who have experienced so much. At the end of the day I sit... grieved....for this pocket of society.. for this generation... and I am challenged to speak words of hope to those who will hear. The following will be the stories of our Show & Tell