Each class I teach will be remembered for a certain trait or quality. My first group: spunky (sarcastic, silly, emotional, energetic, quick, clever... they had spunk). Last year: drama (drama, drama, drama). I am still a bit unsure about this class, but there is a chance they will be remembered for their flatulence. I swear, not a day goes by without an audible fart from one of these 17 gassy, little bodies.
I, of course, am not mature enough for this. At all. If I am deep enough in the 'teacher mindset' I can ignore it. But most times, it takes a lot of internal coaching for me to not giggle. I am pretty good at biting my lip to hide a smile, too. But sometimes, it's just too difficult to not laugh.
Today was one of those times. (I am already laughing just remembering it!)
There was some major drama at recess and lunch. It was a like a swarm of bees coming at me after lunch all shouting something about someone at recess and lunch. I put out a talking ban and said no one was allowed to speak unless given permission-- they actually listened too! I couldn't believe it!
They sat at their seats and everyone wrote me a letter about what happened and what I needed to know.
This isn't super relevant to the story but it's an enjoyable tangent: those that weren't involved in the drama were allowed to write me a letter about anything. I heard silly tales from recess and language class, I got a few sketches of me as a scientist (rockin a green lab coat and pick goggles), and another one telling me about an awesome computer game. One of the notes ended with, "P.S. I never liked tag, anyway." the unexpected confession made me laugh out loud. A definite violation of the talking ban. Whoops!
Anyway, after the letter writing, I told the students I needed a chance to talk to a few people before actions could be taken. However, the super fun group-activities I planned for our afternoon lesson were off the table. Instead they would have to listen me blabber on and on in old school lecture style while the talking ban remained in effect. (except lecturing is a bigger punishment for me than it is for them...)
They came to the carpet and we started to review ideas from yesterday. This may have been the most successful day as far as one-speaker-at-a-time and raising-your-hand-AND-waiting-to-be-called-on goes. They doing a great job of listening and we were half-way through the steps of the scientific method when it happened.
The little girl sitting right in front of me (who was actually the main person of interest in the dramatic events of recess) had just shared something when a very quick but discernible fart was released. I thought it was her. Feeling sorry for the grief she had already taken I tried to ignore it. She had quickly started looking around- surely, a great defense tactic. I was trying to go forward with the lesson but could see them fighting little giggles and trying to figure out the source.
It was then I locked eyes with the little boy behind the girl I thought to be guilty. He was calmly sitting crossed-legged, elbows resting on his knees, chin resting on his hands, and smiling proudly from ear to ear. Knowing this student, and that smile, I knew who had done it. And I burst out laughing. They burst out laughing. The talking ban was done.
We all laughed and let the tension and emotions go with our giggles. They started pointing fingers and trying to place blame. We talked about how it's a natural thing and it doesn't matter 'who done it'. I told them I think farts are hilarious and sometimes it's hard not to giggle. A certain few were still concerned over who it was and started to blame the girl again. She's become a bit of scapegoat due to her reputation. But the little boy interjected then, by raising his hand high and shouting, "No! It was me!" with another big grin and head nod.
More laughter.
Eventually, we got back on track. We finished the lesson. We talked about recess/lunchtime. We said apologies. We laughed more. There was probably more gas too, it was simply passed with less public attention.
I have to be grateful for his action, whether he intended it or not. Although, I am pretty sure he pushed ( mom :p ). It was perhaps exactly what our class needed at that moment.
I, of course, am not mature enough for this. At all. If I am deep enough in the 'teacher mindset' I can ignore it. But most times, it takes a lot of internal coaching for me to not giggle. I am pretty good at biting my lip to hide a smile, too. But sometimes, it's just too difficult to not laugh.
Today was one of those times. (I am already laughing just remembering it!)
 |
| One selected to sketch the scene instead... please note the Angry Unibrows |
They sat at their seats and everyone wrote me a letter about what happened and what I needed to know.
This isn't super relevant to the story but it's an enjoyable tangent: those that weren't involved in the drama were allowed to write me a letter about anything. I heard silly tales from recess and language class, I got a few sketches of me as a scientist (rockin a green lab coat and pick goggles), and another one telling me about an awesome computer game. One of the notes ended with, "P.S. I never liked tag, anyway." the unexpected confession made me laugh out loud. A definite violation of the talking ban. Whoops!Anyway, after the letter writing, I told the students I needed a chance to talk to a few people before actions could be taken. However, the super fun group-activities I planned for our afternoon lesson were off the table. Instead they would have to listen me blabber on and on in old school lecture style while the talking ban remained in effect. (except lecturing is a bigger punishment for me than it is for them...)
They came to the carpet and we started to review ideas from yesterday. This may have been the most successful day as far as one-speaker-at-a-time and raising-your-hand-AND-waiting-to-be-called-on goes. They doing a great job of listening and we were half-way through the steps of the scientific method when it happened.
The little girl sitting right in front of me (who was actually the main person of interest in the dramatic events of recess) had just shared something when a very quick but discernible fart was released. I thought it was her. Feeling sorry for the grief she had already taken I tried to ignore it. She had quickly started looking around- surely, a great defense tactic. I was trying to go forward with the lesson but could see them fighting little giggles and trying to figure out the source.
It was then I locked eyes with the little boy behind the girl I thought to be guilty. He was calmly sitting crossed-legged, elbows resting on his knees, chin resting on his hands, and smiling proudly from ear to ear. Knowing this student, and that smile, I knew who had done it. And I burst out laughing. They burst out laughing. The talking ban was done.
We all laughed and let the tension and emotions go with our giggles. They started pointing fingers and trying to place blame. We talked about how it's a natural thing and it doesn't matter 'who done it'. I told them I think farts are hilarious and sometimes it's hard not to giggle. A certain few were still concerned over who it was and started to blame the girl again. She's become a bit of scapegoat due to her reputation. But the little boy interjected then, by raising his hand high and shouting, "No! It was me!" with another big grin and head nod.
More laughter.
Eventually, we got back on track. We finished the lesson. We talked about recess/lunchtime. We said apologies. We laughed more. There was probably more gas too, it was simply passed with less public attention.
I have to be grateful for his action, whether he intended it or not. Although, I am pretty sure he pushed ( mom :p ). It was perhaps exactly what our class needed at that moment.
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