Kindergarten students have a difficult time with broad concepts. I’ve had some amusing encounters with them before, but “desk cleaning” this week was priceless. Thursday I told them “take everything out of your desk and put it in your cubby so you can pack it later”. Simple enough? Oh, no! Here’s what happened:
Three seconds elapsed time before the first question.
K- “Do you mean our pencil boxes?”
Me- “Yes, everything.”
Two minutes of silent working.
P- “I have my math chart. Do you want it?”
Me-“No, put it in your cubby.”
S- “Do you want us to take our erasers?”
Me- “Yes, take everything out of your desk.”
E- “Can we take our scissors home?”
Me- “Yes, your scissors should be in your pencil box. Put it in your cubby!”
I swear to you that for each and every item in their desk there was a child who specifically asked if it could be taken home!! I finally said, “If I turn your desk over, I don’t want anything to fall out!” That seemed to make it clear. LOL
I found out later that my two colleagues had experienced the same problem. No one quite understood that this was really the end of school.
We had a great last day! The children were pleased with their awards and proud of their memory books. Some of my parents looked stunned- as though they couldn’t believe the year was over and they had survived. Many thanked me and I thanked them. We’ve worked hard together this year. I’m already making plans for next year. As I dismantled my room I thought about ways to change it and improve it. I have a list of teaching tools I want to get that I’ve heard good things about. I’ve applied for a grant for a science habitat. During the summer I’ll make plans for some curriculum changes. Always looking forward.
In the meantime…
I have a garden that awaits.
I have vacation plans.
I have blinds that need to be replaced, and carpet that needs shampooing, and closets that need cleaning, and… Gran always said, “No rest for the wicked.”
Have a great day!
I love that you love kids so much! Some people could be annoyed and put out, but you laugh. I love that.
Happy summer to you!
Looking forward to seeing you.
Posted by: Megan | May 23, 2009 at 09:42 AM