Far Away from the Tigers

by Katch, Jane

• ISBN13: 9780226425788
• ISBN10: 0226425789
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-04-15
• Publisher: Univ of Chicago Pr

Summary

Over the past three decades, more than a quarter of a million children have become citizens of the United States through international adoption. Kindergarten teacher Jane Katch recently found herself with three such children in her class: Katya, born in Russia, Jasper, from Cambodia, and Caleb, from Romania. Each child had spent early years in an orphanage, and each had unique educational and emotional needs. How Katch came to recognize and respond to those needs makes up the journey of discovery in this moving and insightful book. Interspersing vignettes from the classroom and conversations with the children's parents,Far Away from the Tigersfirst explores Katch's misunderstandings and mistakes as she struggles to help the children adjust to school. As Katch learns more about each child's preadoption past, she gradually realizes that they were deprived of some basic learning experiences and she needs to find ways to fill those gaps. Before Caleb can learn to read or write, he must improve his verbal skills by learning nursery rhymes, stories, and songs. Katya, who came from an overcrowded orphanage, now needs to be the center of attention; before learning how to form real friendships, she first must gain control over more basic functions such as eating and sleeping. And the youngest, Jasper, needs steady encouragement to play with classmates instead of sitting alone practicing his handwriting. Slowly, through trial and error and by drawing on the deep understanding and intense commitment of the children's parents, Katch discovers the importanceand joyof allowing each child time to develop in his or her own way. Beautifully told, wise, and candid,Far Away from the Tigersis a gift for parents, teachers, and anyone who cares for children growing up in a new home.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. ix
Questions	p. 1
The Lucky Ones
Happily Ever After	p. 7
A Long Road	p. 11
All Alone	p. 20
Gray Days in Russia	p. 23
Jasper's First Stories	p. 30
Lucky Boy, Lucky Boy	p. 32
Stories, Rules, and Land Mines
The Mama Business	p. 45
Gravity	p. 50
The Story of Robot Dog	p. 52
The Birthday Rule	p. 53
Conversations: Flexibility	p. 55
Teaching Him Stuff	p. 59
Land Mines	p. 61
Conversations: Bringing Adoption into the Classroom	p. 69
Far Away from the Tigers	p. 74
One Telephone Overboard	p. 78
One Baby Penguin	p. 83
Exploded	p. 86
No Animals in the Bank	p. 90
Treasure Hunt	p. 94
Storms and Skunks	p. 96
Drumming	p. 99
Caleb's Rules	p. 101
The Secret Key	p. 106
A Little Bit Scary	p. 113
Little Peep	p. 115
Fire!	p. 120
Uncle Caleb's Time Out	p. 123
They Played	p. 127
A New School Year	p. 128
Epilogue	p. 131
Recommended Reading	p. 157
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