Queen of the Day

October 2005

Finally.

Penny was scheduled for her royal stint on Thursday, September 22. Remember that? That was the day after a level 5 hurricane was aimed at Houston and our schools in Conroe were closed. In fact, when I announced the school closure to my first graders, I said, "I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?"

These kids may not be so much ready for school, but they're ready for life. They chorused: "Bad news!"

"Okay, the bad news is that Penny cannot be Queen of the Day tomorrow."

Moans, groans, whines and whimpers ensued. "But why not."

"Because of the good news: no school tomorrow or Friday."  We returned to school in the face of rolling blackouts last Wednesday; should we lose power, we would be having school in a stifling hot, dark building. Five of my students were absent. I chose not to bring Penny into those potential circumstances.

She assumed her throne on Friday with as regal an attitude as a 10 week old spoiled princess can muster. She darted about the room, becoming reacquainted with all the smells, nooks and crannies and playing with backpacks and shoelaces.

Many students had bought coupons for "5 minutes with Penny" with their Zackbucks at the monthly Store. We started Centers early to accommodate everyone. Penny was gracious. She played with first graders one after another in the corner behind my desk. She quickly chose her favorite toy, a rattle ball with Mylar sparkles resembling a scepter. Some students were content to kneel and play with her. Da'Quan had to train her to jump up on my chair. She had a break
while we went to lunch and recess, during which I assumed she slept. When we returned, she was ready for more play. Towards the end of Center time, she finally got bored with that corner of the room and trotted off to inspect the Legos.

We came together for the "Queen of the Day" interview and shared writing as our last classroom activity. I reminded them that they might want to think of different questions than they ask each other.

"How will she answer us?" Dalynne inquired.

"She'll tell me, and I'll translate."

"Nooo, Ms. Pratt!" she protested. "Animals only talk in stories."

Silly me. "Okay, then, how about I just answer because I'm her mom, and I know her?"

That was okay. It turned out to be a good plan, too, because shortly after batting her crown to the floor, Penny jumped off of my lap and discovered the beanbags and critter pillows under the table by us. She kneaded away at the frog as if to nurse with aplomb, then curled up and instantly fell into a deep queenly sleep.

Some of the questions were too silly to answer: "What's her favorite color?"

"Next question, please."

"What's her favorite ice cream?" Jessica asked.

"She has never had ice cream."

"Did you bake her a cake for her birthday?" Joyce wanted to know.

"That birthday was the day she was born. She hasn't had another birthday yet."

"How many people are in her family?" Michael inquired.

"Lots."

Some of the other questions resulted in Penny's paragraph which is now posted outside my classroom with everyone else's along with their pictures.

"Penny's birthday is July 15th. She likes to go for a walk on her leash in the evenings. Penny likes to sleep in Mrs. Pratt's arms. Her favorite food is chicken."

Penny was pleased with her reign at school, and she looks forward to her return when EVERYONE in the class keeps their clips on green all day long for enough days to spell "P-E-N-N-Y." The first graders cheered madly when they heard about that!