The Empty Backpack

Adapted by Sheila Head

“What did you bring home from school today?

Did you learn anything, or did you just play?”

I learned about rainbows and sunlight and rain,

I counted and sorted and used my math brain.

I discovered why water runs off of a duck,

And helped a friend when he was stuck.

I listened to stories and made up my own,

And “read” to myself with a whisper phone.

I learned to speak clearly when I talk,

To wait my turn and, when indoors, to walk.

To guide a crayon through a maze,

To put my thoughts into a phrase,

To find a word and copy it down,

To work with a smile, not a frown.

So please don’t say,

“Did you only play?”

Believe me, I learned a lot today!