Trouble? I Can Relate!

A little boy on the verge of tears tracked me down in the hall early yesterday morning. He and his younger brother had been slowpokes about getting out of bed and off to school, and their mom had been understandably frustrated with their lack of cooperation. Tears rolled down the child's face as he talked about the rotten start to his morning, and his unhappiness was fueled by the fact that he blamed his brother for causing most of the problem. At one point he said that his mom had mentioned that she was going to spank them if they didn't improve. Then he said, "I thought she had forgotten all about spankings!" Wanting to let him know that I understood, I told him about how my mama used to switch me when I disobeyed her and how my legs would dance a jig as she did so. I also told him about how my husband's mom would send him outside to get his own switch. He'd intentionally choose a rather thick one and partially break it, knowing it would snap when his mother switched him, causing her to feel guilty and consequently stop the spanking! After these humorous reminiscences, the child and I were both giggling, and it was obvious that he felt better. It was then that he said something that cracked me up. In an incredulous tone of voice, he said, "My mom has absolutely no embarrassment. She carries a wooden spoon everywhere she goes, even out in public." Laughing out loud, I said, "I just have a mental image of your mother pulling that spoon out of her purse at the grocery story, brandishing it in your faces, and giving you and your brother the evil eye. Your mama's got game!" He snickered along with me, and our conversation ended on a positive note!

Hold Your Horses!

As part of a guidance lesson on using self-control, I read some first graders a book about a fun-loving shark named Clark who definitely needed to tone it down in school. He was friendly and happy, but always got into trouble with his teachers and peers due to his impulsive, noisy, insensitive ways. Well at one point in the story, the shark's friends had had it up to here with him and angrily started yelling a litany of complaints and instructions. Some of their pleas to Clark the Shark were expressions such as, "Take it down a notch!", "Chill!", "Calm down!", and "Cool your jets!" After reading that part of the story, I continued on to the next page when I heard a little boy sitting against the wall exclaim, "Ho-o-o-old your horses, Clark!" Now how can you not crack up at that? We all started laughing, and hilarity ensued! No self-control was needed for a minute or so!

What Do You Call That Thing?

One morning a couple of weeks ago, I was checking on my second grade Mr. Personality to see how well he'd followed his teacher's directions the day before.  Since it was the last full week of school, excitement was all around.  "When are you having your class party?" I asked, as this was a week of celebrations for everybody.  He said in all seriousness, "We're not having a party.  We're having an out-house."  Surprised and perplexed, I screwed up my face and said, "Say what?"  "No, not an out-house, an in-house," he replied.  Noticing my facial expressions and seeing that I was holding back laughter, he asked, "What do you call that thing, you know, when your parents come to school?"  With understanding, I said, "Oh, you mean an OPEN house."  With a look of relief, the freckle-faced cutie widened his eyes, nodded his head vigorously, and said, "Yep, that's what we're having!"  We went on to have a humorous discussion about what out- houses are, and I was able to tell him a true story about my great aunt and uncle, who raised sugar cane and had an out-house that they actually used back when I was a little girl.  I think the little boy learned something interesting that morning, and we both shared a giggle as he meandered back into class!

Look How They've Grown!

Educators have the privilege of seeing impressive growth in children throughout the school year, and here are two examples. First, I'll start with a tiny little kindergarten boy who used to have to sit in a rocking chair instead of on the carpet in order to control his wiggles. He also used to blurt out incessantly during teaching time and pout whenever things didn't go exactly his way. Although he still has struggles, he can now sit on the carpet with his class without disturbing others, is much more pleasant ant positive, and is actually quite eager to please. One day this week, he saw me making my morning rounds down his hallway, hustled to the door of his classroom, flagged me down, and said, "Miss Mimi, I want to be a peacemaker and spread sunshine. I don't want to spread thunderstorms." And he meant every word of                 it.....he's proving it with his actions!

The other example comes from a child in the class two doors down the hall. This fair-skinned boy had behaviors similar to the previously mentioned child. He used to make demands all through teaching time, make almost constant noises, rock on his bottom, and rarely look happy. In fact, the first time I ever went to his class, he had a major fit as I explained the rules and had to be taken out of the classroom to calm down. As I recall, that tantrum lasted for half an hour or so. He also had meltdowns in other settings and was a frequent visitor to the principal's office. Well this little boy has come a long way, as has his older brother who has some of the same behaviors. When I was in the kindergartner's class this past week, we had a lesson on calming down strong feelings (our second in a unit). After our story, we sang and danced to a song called "Monster", which teaches us not to lose our tempers and consequently act like little monsters. The children love this song and are typically still singing as I leave their rooms. On this particular day, I was packing up my materials when this child approached me, tugged on my sleeve to get my attention, looked up at me with huge light green eyes, and said, "Miss Mimi, I used to get mad and have to go to the office, but I calmed down." Although those are simple and spare words, there was so much truth and meaning behind them, and I teared up just thinking of how much effort had gone into this transformation. I was also grateful that the little boy was aware of how much better he was behaving at school. We have some wonderfully compassionate, patient teachers, as do all schools, and I applaud them. Additionally, I'm greatly impressed with children who work so hard at overcoming struggles that are over and above those of most of their peers.

Yep, teaching is full of highs and lows, but the tear-jerker moments are priceless, and there are plenty of them as the school year winds down!

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51st State?

When I went to check on an exuberant kindergarten boy this morning, he said, "Guess what, Miss Mimi. I'm going to Indiama this weekend!" "Where?" I asked, not knowing whether he meant Alabama or Indiana. "Indiama," he said. "I'm gonna go to the football stadium and see AJ McCarron!" Guess he's a Roll Tide fan!

                                                               

Lovebirds

In kindergarten guidance classes, I'm teaching the children some ways to calm down strong feelings, and I'm making sure to include some ideas that they can use anywhere, even in their classrooms. We've discussed exercise and rest, but also taking belly breaths, counting backwards, clicking from mad thoughts to happy thoughts , and bossing themselves around. After presenting a puppet show that introduced the latter 4 ideas, I had the children practice and discuss them. When we got to the "click" idea, I asked for examples of happy, calming thoughts that students could click onto in order to get their minds to feel less stressed and more peaceful. My favorite freckle-faced boy, whom I've labeled Dennis the Menace, raised his hand and said, "Sitting on a cruise ship drinking lemonade with my girlfriend." As his friends started laughing, the girlfriend, who was sitting about a yard away from "Dennis", raised her hand. Of course I had to hear her reply, so I called on her. Grinning, she said that her happy thought to click onto would be going to the neighborhood pool with "Dennis". "Are you two in love?" I asked with a big old smile. Lots of affirmative responses ensued from the group, and the two lovebirds blushed and smiled and made eyes at each other. About 5 minutes later, our class ended, and the teacher came back into the room. I couldn't wait to share this story with her, but she was already in the loop about the crush. She said that one day earlier in the week, this little boy had come to school all dressed up and had told her he had on his wedding attire. Cracking up, I asked him if he'd wear it again so I could see how handsome he looked. Well lo and behold, this morning when I went to check on him, he stood up and walked toward me wearing a black and white striped dress shirt with the tail hanging out, a yellow tie, khaki pants, and big orange tennis shoes. In addition, his hair was gelled and swooped and swirled in a manner befitting a momentous occasion. His teacher and I looked at each other and cracked up. Then his "intended", his lady love, came out in the hall with us, and the teacher snapped a picture of the happy couple for her end of the year memory disc. Oh, if only I could post their adorable snapshot on Facebook! I'd absolutely love to share it with you, but I guess you'll just have to use your imaginations!

Anatomy Lesson

As I walked down the hall with a red-headed first grader, I asked where his glasses were. He said, "Oh, I was climbing the jungle gym at daycare yesterday when I slipped and fell flat on my face. My glasses got bent, and my mom is taking them to get fixed." "Ooh, that must have hurt," I replied. "It did," he said, "but the worst part was when my leg hit a metal bar on the way down. I've got a bruise in my leg pit." Thinking I understood but wanting to check it out, I inquired about where his leg pit was. He twisted around and touched the back of his knee, bending and flexing it to show me his leg pit. Now THAT'S a term I've never heard, but it makes perfect sense, so I guess I learned about a new body part today! Don't kids say the cutest things?

That's My Thing!

Here comes another story about my first grade "Mr. Personality". (I also have kindergarten and second grade candidates in mind for this year's title!) This is the same little boy I've written about twice previously this week, the one who wants to live in a bro-cave and learn to spell "extravaganza-glorious". First, let me set the stage by explaining that our second grade guidance lesson recently was on confidence. We all have areas that we feel sure about, which is a very good thing. However, we need to have empathy in all circumstances, which means we don't show off or brag about our skills and talents. Instead, we help and encourage whenever possible. Well, during each class, I had children tell me what they felt confident about in their own lives. Answers included math, reading, baseball, gymnastics, drawing, etc. One afternoon during that week, I was talking with "Mr. Personality", listening as he enthusiastically described his spring break vacation to the beach. After telling me about finding a starfish and some crabs, he looked up toward the ceiling and started counting on his fingers. Then he said, "Yep, 10. I made 10 friends on the beach." "Wow!" I said. "You must be easy to get to know!" Nodding his head, he said, "Yep, making friends is my thing!" Now that's confidence, and in one of life's very most important areas!

Colorful Language

My first grade friend whom I wrote about another day this week, the one who's planning to live in a bro-cave, gave me the giggles again yesterday. We were talking about schoolwork, and I asked what he thought about tests. He quickly responded, with a face full of scorn, "Tests make me want to throw up. They're so judgy!" Later on, I asked him to tell me a word he wished he could spell, and with no think time required at all, he said, "Extravaganza-glorious!" I know I write about the simplest things sometimes, but they just make me happy!

Forgiveness

Due to his impulsivity, I check on a handsome blond-haired kindergarten child each morning, encouraging him to do his best at school that day. This little boy has a very kind heart and isn't mean at all; he just has trouble slowing down to stop and think. Frequently he breaks rules and is immediately sorry, but it's too late to take back the dirty deed! (Wouldn't it be nice if life came with big giant erasers or a rewind button?) Well I have daycare duty at dismissal lots of times, and my little friend usually comes up to report on how his day has gone. One day last week, he called me over to his table while we were waiting on his daycare van to arrive. Pulling on my sleeve, he said with pride in his eyes, "Miss Mimi, I hugged a girl who stole my snack today." Although I tried to figure out the story, I failed, so I put it out of my mind. The next morning when I went to check on the little boy, his teacher pulled me over to a corner of the classroom and said she had a sweet story to tell me. It was the same tale the child had attempted to get me to understand on the previous afternoon, but the teacher filled in all the blanks for me. At afternoon snack time, the boy discovered that his food was missing. Concerned, he blurted out, "Hey, my snack's missing!" The teacher investigated and found out who the culprit was, a beautiful dark-haired girl. Even though there was lots of evidence incriminating her, she denied having stolen the snack. Later, as the girl talked with another teacher friend of hers, she admitted the truth, amid lots of tears. Throwing his arms around her, my impetuous little friend instantly forgave her. As I mentioned at the beginning of this tale, he has a very sweet spirit, and along with that comes abundant grace and mercy. Oh what important lessons we adults can learn from the little ones in our care!

Kindergarten Roundup Greeter

Today was kindergarten roundup in Knox County, and by the time I Ieft for the day, our school foyer was filled with excited 4 and 5 year olds holding their mamas' hands in anticipation of exploring their big new school. As I headed for the exit doors, I noticed a charming family scene. One of my favorite second grade boys and his first grade brother were waiting at the registration tables. They were keeping an eye on their little sister as she slept soundly in her stroller because their mom had stepped into the nearby office for a minute. The younger brother was at the end of the table, and the older was leaning on his elbows right in the central portion of the same table. My second grade friend, who has freckles and glasses and an abundance of personality, wore an ear-to-ear grin as he watched the new wide-eyed kindergarten children walk in. Akin to the style of the most personable Wal-Mart greeters, my ever-so-friendly pal enthused, "Welcome to Farragut Primary, the school of your dreams!" What a serendipitous endorsement for our new students, and what a giggle to experience at the end of my day!

Bro-Cave

While talking with a handsome first grader who had an adorable sprinkle of freckles across his face, we came to the topic of what he wants to do when he grows up. Without a moment's hesitation, he announced that he wanted to live in a " bro-cave" where there wouldn't be anything girly allowed. Of course I wanted details, so I asked what color his house would be. Excitedly, the little boy said that it would be his three favorite colors...red, black, and blue. Since he had told me before that his mom's favorite flowers were yellow daisies, I teasingly asked if he'd have any vases of those sitting around. Screwing up his face in a horrified expression, he threw his head back and exclaimed, "NO, that's not bro!"

Bee Hospital

On her way to class yesterday morning, a pretty dark-haired second grader sporting a chocolate milk mustache stopped to tell me a story. "Miss Mimi, I saw a bee in pain." "Oh I'm sorry, that must have made you sad," I empathized. Nodding, the little girl continued, "I have a bee hospital at my house. I give them medicine, and in about 3 days they get well." "What kind of medicine do you give them?" I asked. " I don't know, but my mom buys it for me," she said. "How do you give them the medicine?" I wondered. "Well, we put it in a flower and bring it to the bees. When they suck up the pollen, they get the medicine, and it makes them feel better." What an interesting conversation, and what a compassionate but fanciful female!

Smart Daddy!

Unfortunately, I have stair duty at school this week, which means that I have to guard the stairs going down to the second grade hallway during the morning "rush hour". Well today, we woke up to storms in Knoxville, complete with thunder and lightning. As I made small talk with the kids coming into school, I remarked that it certainly was good sleeping weather this morning and HARD to crawl out of bed. One freckle-faced, mischievous boy shot me a look of disgust, stomped on down the stairs, and said, "Yep, my dad turns on an annoying song in my room to get me up in the morning." I got a mental image of this sleepy little tyke tossing and turning and whining, "Dad, turn it off. Come ON, Dad, turn it OFF! PLEASE Dad, turn it off. Oh well, FINE, I'll get up and do it myself!" Now I don't know about you, but I think his dad has a crackerjack idea!

Sunny Spots

While rushing down the hall to get to a class today, I noticed a cute but unusual sight. A kindergarten girl carrying a book in her hand was nonchalantly walking toward the library. Curiously, the short-haired child was sporting an open cardboard box on her head, with all 4 sides of the box top sticking out every which way. As I passed her, I said, "Nice hat!" Flashing me a snaggle-toothed grin, she thanked me and continued merrily on her way. Another sunny spot in the life of a primary school teacher!

Gotcha!

In the past, I've written about an admirably honest second grade boy whom I check on each morning. He has a behavioral goal, and his teacher gives him a daily 1-10 score based on how hard he tried to meet that goal during the previous day. I'm frequently impressed with this child because, if his teacher gives him a higher score than he thinks he deserves, he's really good about lowering it a notch or two. Well this morning, his teacher bragged on him, saying he'd had a fantastic day yesterday and that he had earned a 10. The little blond boy looked up at her and softly said, "I think it should be a 5." At the same time, his teacher and I opened our mouths in protest, put our hands on our hips, cocked our heads, and prepared to argue that he was being too rough on himself. With a burst of excitement, the child yelled, "April Fool!", and cracked up laughing. Yep, he got us both, and needless to say, that was the first of many tricks that were played on me today and, I'm pretty sure, on teachers everywhere!

Green Teeth

While giving a kindergarten pre-test for an anger management unit, I included questions about the difference in strong feelings and calm ones, clues that our bodies give us that we're having a strong feeling, whether it's easier to think when we're calm or angry, and good and bad ways to handle strong feelings. Well, I asked a beautiful brown-eyed boy to tell me 3 examples of anger signs in our bodies. He could have said that our eyes get smaller, our mouths get tighter, our teeth grind, our faces turn red, our hearts beat faster, etc. The child correctly identified changes in heart rate and eye shape, and when he mentioned that his teeth changed, I got excited, thinking he was referring to grinding teeth and thereby giving me 3 correct anger indicators. When I asked him to elaborate on what happens to our teeth when we're really angry, he said with a solemn expression, "They turn colors." Seeing my confused expression, he went on, "If we don't brush them, they might turn yellow or green." Oh well, 2 out of 3 ain't bad!

You Won't Believe Where I Went!

One morning this week, I was talking casually with a group of 3 kindergarten students. One curly-haired boy bounded down the hall in my direction saying enthusiastically, "Miss Mimi, guess where I went for spring break. Michigan!" A fair-haired girl said, "I went to Disney!" Turning to the third child, who was a little carrot-top, I said, "Did you go anywhere for spring break, or did you stay home like I did?" Without hesitation, he looked at me and said in all seriousness, "I went to Deja Boo."  Now in case you're wondering what in the world he meant, I think he was trying to outdo his friends.  He had heard the word deja vu and thought it sounded exotic, so he decided that's where he would say he'd been for spring break.  However, he made a slight boo boo on the pronunciation (pun intended), as I'm sure you noticed!

Peace, Baby!

 We have a fashionista who attends Farragut Primary! She's a long-haired second grader who has a seriously adorable sense of style. This particular little girl has to visit the nurse several times a day, and since the nurse's office is next door to mine, this child stops in frequently to say hello. Today, she wore black bell-bottoms and a hot pink t-shirt depicting a mermaid, which she wore pulled up and gathered on one side, showing about an inch of skin. Breezing by my room as I ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, she threw open my door, held it with one hand, cocked one hip, put her hand on that hip, and said, " Well I see you're eating lunch. I'm hippie-style today. What do you think?" Grinning back at her, I flashed the peace sign and said, "Groovy. Peace, Baby!" Without hesitating, she offered a peace sign of her own and sashayed on down the hall back to her classroom. Just one shining moment in the life of a primary school teacher!