Laugh Lines February 2004

A Little Elbow Grease
During art class in my second grade classroom, Steven raised his hand and informed me there was an ink mark on his desk from the permanent marker he was using and that it wouldn't wipe off. I responded, "Just use a little elbow grease and I think you can get the mark off." As I proceeded to walk around the classroom observing the students at work, I realized that Steven was following me. I turned around and asked him if he needed help. His response was, "Yes, could you give me some of that elbow grease you were talking about?"
Cheryl Conrad
Milbank, SD

Bad Medicine
Last week, after students recited the days of the week with very little enthusiasm, I made the comment that they sounded weak.

"You must not have taken your vitamins today," I said, reaching into my pocket and pretending to take out some vitamins. "Well, it just so happens that I have some vitamins in my pocket for just such an occasion." I gave each child a pretend vitamin and we continued our lesson. Later that day, Sammy began coughing and clearing his throat. "What's the matter, Sammy?" I asked.

"I have a sore throat," he said. "It was fine until I took that vitamin you gave me."
Yvonne Blanchard
Lake Shastina, CA

Out with a Swish
When I was teaching my class about contractions, I explained that you inserted a "swish" (apostrophe) where you took letters out. Later, I was helping a student who had written "sometime" instead of "sometimes." She then erased the "e" and wrote an "s." I said, "Now it says sometims." She thought about it and then wrote a swish before the "s" and said, "Now they will know I took the 'e' out."
Debbie Blair
El Cajon, CA

I Had to Ask
My kindergarten class was making books about their first school experiences, which included drawing a picture of their teacher. One student came up and asked me if he could draw me with golden hair. I commented that I wasn't sure I had golden hair but it was his choice as to how to represent me. Feeling flattered, I decided to ask him about his choice of colors. He replied, "My crayon box doesn't have any gray or silver."
Marjorie Stanley
Buffalo, MO

Getting the Boot
It was a chilly December morning when I sat down with my three-year-old students and discussed the new season. We mentioned the different things we do now that winter has arrived, and I asked the children to give their own examples. At a certain point in the discussion, I noticed Dena had boots on her feet. Realizing this was a good opportunity to bring a real-life example into the classroom, I asked her why she had worn boots that morning. Without missing a beat, she excitedly answered, "Because we couldn't find my shoes!"
Esther Price
New York, NY

February, 2004, Vol.34, No.5