Dad goes to head of the class on parents' day

When you're in your 40s, it's tough to look sophisticated and wise while you're sitting on a small chair in a first-grade classroom.

But then, you're not alone. Other parents are doing the same thing.

It's one of those "parent days" where schools encourage parents to go back to school and learn something. More specifically, they want you to know that your kids are learning something and not just hibernating.

The other day I went back to school for a few hours. I spent time hanging out with my fifth-grade daughter, Becca, at the middle school and then rushed across town and spent some quality time with my first-grader, Bailey, at her school.

I showed up in Becca's class just in time to get a math lesson. The class was dealing with billions which are really big numbers unless you are dealing with Congress who views it as petty cash.

Growing up, I was never big on math. I preferred words to counting.

Of course, now that I'm older, I realize it's important to know the score and balance the checkbook. There's no billions involved in my life, but I'm sure it's important for kids to know such big numbers just in case they ever get elected to Congress or win the lottery.

At any rate, math class was fun even without a calculator.

But handball with a grapefruit-sized ball in the school gym was far noisier. There's nothing like kids running around and throwing a ball at a concrete wall to make you feel good about education.

I had to leave before the game was over so I could eat lunch with Bailey.

Like Bailey, I brought my lunch to school. I gulped down my lunch in a few minutes only to discover that Bailey was still having a leisurely lunch, chowing down on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a small bag of chips which she smashed open, juice and a few small candy bars.

She never finished her meal, packing away what was left in her lunch bag.

She wanted to go outside for recess, along with her fellow students who couldn't wait to get in some quality play time.

I discovered that the first thing kids do on the playground is take off their jackets and pile them up against the wall. They're not bothered by the cool weather. They see coats as a hindrance to play time. When recess is over, they pick up their jackets and dutifully carry them back inside.

Bailey knows that routine well.

I tried to convince her to wear her jacket, but she looked at me like I was having a brain cramp.

She did end up donning her jacket later in the day for music class, which was indoors and involved a lot of singing -- thankfully none by the parents. I felt better knowing that she was getting some use out of her jacket.

Bailey's class also found time for some book reading. The teacher read two books aloud, one about a horse named Chester and the other about whales. I doubt that Chester will ever end up on a statewide assessment test, but there's nothing like sitting on the floor in the reading corner and listening to a teacher read about a horse to make you realize just how much fun education can be.

At my age, I wouldn't want to repeat elementary school or middle school. But it's great to visit, particularly when there are other parents there too who are looking as out of place as I do.

Most of all, it makes you appreciate all those raised hands in class.

Mark Bliss is a staff writer for the Southeast Missourian.