October 8, 2015.

Today was the day I got to speak to four classes of 2^nd graders. It came about when my grandson, Garrett, himself a 2^nd grader, gave his teacher my book, “Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes>” This teacher, Ms. Perkins actually loved the book!

The teacher then asked my daughter, Wendi, Garrett’s mother, if she could ask me to come and teach Garrett’s class a little bit about some of the Founding Fathers. She asked me and I accepted. The Ms. Perkins though all of the 2^nd graders should hear my presentation! So she invited the other classes to join together. That meant I was to speak to 4 different classes made up of about 100 2^nd graders.

I had to ask myself “How do I speak to 2^nd graders, usually 6 or 7 years of age? I decided I’d best tell stories. So I did.

The kids gathered into a somewhat larger classroom and sat reverently on the floor as I was introduced as Grandpa Allen. Those kids were so sweet and well behaved. It was really fun to tell them some stories about Benjamin Franklin, like the “whistle story,” the “kite story” and about the horse who ate oysters (well he didn’t really—but that’s how Ben used his diplomacy to get a comfortable set near the crowded Inn’s fire.

I only spoke for about 35 minutes, with the help of power point slides to help me stay on track. At the end, the teachers thanked me, all 4 of them, and the 2^nd graders shouted out in unison “thank you Grandpa Allen!” It was so much fun!!