Things I Never Thought I’d Have To Say This School Year
Ah, kindergarteners. They are so darn precious…and hilarious….and curious….and wonderful.
I don’t blog much about teaching (I like to keep that in a separate sphere of my life for the most part), but it really is what I do for so many hours of the day! So, I suppose if I don’t take that into account and chat about it here every now and then, then I’m not really giving you the most accurate picture of who I am!
I answered some questions about Bjorn’s and my jobs in our FAQ section, but just to say it again, I am a Title I teacher in our elementary school. This means that I am a small-group reading and math teacher, supporting the district’s academic goals by boosting kiddos academically. I do a lot of small (Jan Richardson based) guided reading groups, as well as small math groups to strengthen certain skills in students.
This past school year, I was assigned as the Title I teacher for strictly kindergarten – a different way than we’ve structured it in the past. It was really neat spending all day every day with kindergarteners – a grade level I hadn’t been entirely sure I’d fall in love with. But, you know what? I did. I love kindergarteners. I worked with about 87 of them this school year. And I loved them all. Even the “naughty” ones. 😉
Like I said, they’re curious and hilarious, all wrapped up into one! We’ve had our share of tantrums, crying, confusion, and other difficult moments this school year (it’s a big step being a kindergartener!) but their hearts are so big and tender still, and their minds are so moldable in the best way. They’re learning to think and act the way they should, and their personalities are coming out so evidently! It’s a blast working with kindergarteners. And I really, really need to start keeping a true paper-and-pencil journal of all the great things they say!!
(Another funny aspect of working with them: several times I’d go home and tell Bjorn, “I feel like 30% of my day is spent picking up things we’ve dropped on the floor!!” They’re still working out proprioception, and knocking our markers, Unifix cubes, and pencils onto the floor with flailing elbows seems to be a necessary part of that journey!)
That being said, I did sit down and think through all the craziest things I never thought I’d have to say. And then the memories just started rolling back over me! I miss them already. I definitely had tears in my eyes as I hugged a few of them goodbye last week. But let’s focus on the positives before I totally turn into a mushy puddle on the floor here..
(Below are all LEGIT things I had to say to 5- and 6-year-olds these past 9 months!)
Things I Never Thought I’d Have To Say This School Year:
My first name is not “Mrs.”
We do not sit or “schlounge” backwards in our chairs!
[while trying to line up my small group to get them back to class!] Get up. Please stop meowing. You are not a cat.
Horses actually don’t come from eggs.
Please put your arms in your shirt the correct way! [said probably 60 times this school year! ha!]
I can’t see where that scratch is, so no, you won’t need a Band-Aid for that one.
Don’t worry, alone, the word “shut” is not a bad word. 🙂
Today is Monday, so yes, we do have school tomorrow!
We never actually do cartwheels down the hallway! I should not have to remind you again.
Yes, I am a grown-up. [I look young!!] I am the same age as your mother!
No, I’m not 16. No, I’m not 40.
Nope, I don’t have a bed here because teachers don’t actually live at school [this one blew their minds!]
Remember, we aren’t reading the words if we aren’t looking at the page!
It’s not a “fand,” it’s a “fan.” [I love these moments! They’re trying to make sense of words they’ve heard their whole lives but have never seen on a page or have had to spell.]
Please do not put the Unifix cubes in your mouth. Mrs. Olson has to touch those later.
It’s okay that you called me “Mom.” 🙂
I’ll miss you this summer.
I love you, too.
And now, it’s time to just dissolve into a puddle of tears. I miss their spontaneous hugs with their little arms around my neck. And their out-of-the-blue “I love you, Mrs. Olson!”
I know it sounds like I say “no” a lot during the school day, but I assure you, I actually air on the side of positive reinforcement. These phrases/memories were just too funny not to share! 🙂
Are any of you teachers, or work with kiddos? What are your favorite quotes you’ve heard?!
This is so sweet! I haven’t been teaching for about a year and a half but I still remember some of the funny things they said! Kids are so funny. I’m sure you do miss them!
They sure are funny!! And you’re right – some of the things they say can stick with us forever!! 🙂 Thanks for reading along, Brittany!
Love, love, love this! Kids are the best.
Haha, they sure are! 🙂
Love it! I cracked up when i read the thing about putting things in their mouth. I can remember saying things like, “if you put your sunglasses in your mouth, you will not be allowed to wear them for the spring concert. Wouldn’t that be sad? That’s sad.” The temptations are just too great…
Haha! That’s hilarious, Jordan! I love how you talked to them about it! We do say a lot of “Oh, dear,” and “You have made a sad choice…” 🙂 Isn’t it funny how they are so tempted to put things in their mouth? Even up to age 5 or even 6?! Yikes! 🙂 Good memories, though.
I have to say that I totally cracked up while reading this post! I have definitely had the “I’m not 16. I’m not 40” conversation before. In my 4th grade class, they kept saying, “You can’t be married. You’re a teenager” Kids say the CRAZIEST stuff. I also really like the horses and egg one!
I’m so glad you liked this post! I bet you really can relate to a lot of these funny comments, Annie! Working with kiddos is so interesting and can be so funny 🙂
Oh my gosh, these are just too funny and cute! I love the age one…that’s something I’d get. Heck, I get it all of the time now. The girl I nanny is taller than me and her brother isn’t too far behind (I’m 4’11”). Every time we meet new people they guess I’m their sister, which is normal and I pretty much am after 3 years with them, haha. But just last week someone said “Oh you can’t be far a part in age!” And I was like…”We’re 11 years a part!” Sighhhhh
Oh man!! I’m sure that age conversation is so frustrating!! I got asked during my 2nd year of teaching if I was excited to go off to college (when I was buying some home goods with my mom one weekend)… 🙂 The height thing can confuse some people – it’s all about being sensitive, too! Some kids – and adults – ask before they think. bummer! 🙂 I’m glad you liked this post, Summer!
I love this so much! I’m sure you are SO great with them!!
Aww, thank you so much!! Working with kids can be so funny!! They sure are precious.
It’s so cool that you had a chance to work with one grade all year. I saw in you FAQ that you’re a Title 1 teacher, but noticed you talking about Kindergarten regularly so I wondered what your teaching situation was like. I work at a small school (in the office) so we have one Title 1 teacher who works with everyone.
I think one of the funniest things I heard someone say to the kids this year was one of our preschool aides. I was walking down the hall outside of the bathrooms during a bathroom break and heard one of the aides say, “If you don’t try to go to the bathroom while someone else is going to the bathroom they won’t yell at you.” So true.
Haha! That is so funny! I love overhearing those phrases! It’s usually things you’d never imagine yourself saying – a sentence you never thought would come out of your mouth! So great. 🙂 It’s neat that you work in a school and are familiar with Title 1! Yes, I loved working solely with kindergarten this year. It was a neat experience to get to know 87 kindergarteners!