Laugh Lines February 2005

Hospitable Hospital
I always ask my third graders to help me define each new vocabulary word I introduce. I introduced the word hospitable, and asked if anyone might know what it means.

One of my students started laughing really hard. "Why, I betcha my kindergarten brother knows the definition to this one," Janey exclaimed.

Janey laughed even harder. "Ms. Zoper, I don't know the exact definition, but my grandpa is there now," stated Janey, matter-of-factly.

"What? I don't get it Janey. Your grandpa is in the hospitable?"

"Yup. My grandpa's real sick. I even went to visit him yesterday."
Mary Zoper
Brooklyn, NY

Gulf Course
We do a weekly Spell-a-State bonus word in my second grade class. A few weeks back, I chose Florida as our bonus word due to all of the hurricanes that Florida was experiencing at the time. I pulled down a map of the world and explained paths of hurricanes to the children. I pointed to the Gulf Coast and told them that the most recent hurricane was headed that way.

Later that day, during recess, one little boy in my class repeated this information to his friends from another classroom. He told them that the hurricane was heading for the "Gulf Course" and that his grandpa was sure gonna be upset!
Beth Obringer
Norwalk, OH

China is a Way Away
A colleague of mine was discussing immigration with her class of fourth graders. She asked her students what hardships they would encounter if they moved to another country. She was getting great answers about not being able to communicate and not liking the food, etc. One little boy just wasn't getting it. So she asked him, "If you had to go to China right now, what would be hard for you?"

"I can't swim," the little boy said.
Amy R. Slusher
Henderson, N.C.

Girl in the Ocean
Recently, when Hurricane Frances was approaching the coast, I told my students that the storm was out in the ocean spinning around. I also talked to them about the winds and the damage that could be caused.

When Frances finally approached land about a week later my calendar helper predicted that it would rain. I asked the class why it was going to rain today.

One little girl spoke up and said, "Because that girl is in the ocean and she is real mad!"
Beth Parker
LaFayette, GA