The best part of teaching kids is realizing that 99% of their genius goes unrecognized by them. The things they shriek and utter, whisper and shout are the truths their hearts hold but they live at an age where they don’t realize the brilliance of their comments. Genius observations and heartbreaking truths fall from the mouths without a second thought and I run after them scooping them up- writing them down, sharing with parents. Us adults stand together and marvel at their insights while they chase each other, threatening to wipe invisible boogers on each other.
It’s a million mispronunciations, a thousand that’s so true comments, and every once in a while- a misunderstanding that’s so charming, that makes each day at work truly an adventure. I’ve become one of those sappy teachers, the one who refers to her class as ‘her kids’, and who spends her nights awake thinking of what she could do to make them learn more, enjoy it all more, and when I’m feeling very selfish- remember me when it’s all over.
But that’s another day, another post.
Instead, I’ll share Friday:
I walk into my class, my brain crammed full with to-do lists (for those who were curious- we started a unit on pirates- cleverly tied into their science unit on boats and their math unit on money. I’ve fallen behind in marking their pirate comprehension questions, hence the pirate marking that needs to get done) when I notice a charming girl walk up to her best friend and salute her with her middle finger. Before I can say anything else, two of my boys come into the room and yell to the girls and shake their middle fingers at them. Then, the four of them turn to me and all show me their middle fingers, smiling so hard it must have hurt. I call them each by name and tell them to get into the hall. My class turns silent. In a world of boundaries and rules, warnings and consequences, “get into the hall” is equal to “get into your cell at Guantanamo Bay“. As my four fingering rebels (who are now all close to tears) stand lined up against the wall I ask them what they are doing.
With further discussion, I discover that an older brother told his sister (who is in my class) that showing your middle finger means “Hello, I love you” in Chinese. She told her friend, who told her friend… and then boom! Suddenly my entire class is just trying to start the Friday off right by sharing a little love. The more they talk, the less I keep it together, by the end of our conversation my giggles are barely suppressed. I tell them that showing the middle finger DOES NOT mean I love you. They are shocked. I show them how to say it in sign language instead.
They go back to class knowing something new, and I go back with one more story to tell their parents.
Oh man, that story is hilarious! Kids are so adorable sometimes. It’s moments like these that make me second guess my career choice and question whether or not I really should I have been a teacher.
Hmmm, I wonder what’s going to happen to that older brother when his parents find out?? :)
Haha…this is priceless. I won’t deny that I’ve pulled something like that over on my litter sister a few times.
Oh, that is hysterical. Yeah, that older brother is in for it – rascal!
Well, at least they decided to try out their new language on someone cool, rather than say…the principal!
LOVE. IT.
It goes right along with liking other people’s kids when I hear you talk about “yours.”
hahahah I should become a teacher just for the stories!
I said “hello” to a few people in traffic today as well.
I didn’t know I was so fluent in Chinese!
And I’ve been drinking tequila for years and have yet to get hair on my chest…and I’ve not gone blind. I guess family members might stretch the truth!
This is outstanding! Thanks for sharing!
Ah what a DELIGHTFUL post – especially because I totally understand what you mean about scooping up those comments that they haven’t realised they make! And I call my classes ‘my kids’ too… they were pretty delightful last Friday. Ah. Can totally relate to that post and that made me smile!
Haha! That’s so adorable.. Kids are the sweetest!
Ah! That’s great, I love it.
I miss my kids I used to watch, but I’m pretty sure they probably don’t really remember me. :(
I love reading about your teaching adventures!
This story is priceless! I love it!
haha, wow. i dont do much chinese. i can never pull it off and seem equally outraged and put together at the same time. i just feel like a big douchebox when i do it.
For a minute there I thought you went from teaching second grade to high school.
That’s the kind of behavior I am frightened will happen to me one day, only the students are 17 year olds and they know what it means.
Ha! While I love teaching college kids, it seems that they are so jaded and lacking wonder and excitement. It’s great that your kids are still kids in so many ways, yet take the time to learn to say “I Love You” in foreign languages. ;)
haha! That is WAY too cute–and hysterical!
Yet another reason I love teaching – and even though I’m so glad that summer is here, another reason I miss ‘my kids’ already.
They truly are the cutest, aren’t they?
That’s really precious. . . and too bad those three you passed on your way to work didn’t get the picture :)
Kids are so cute! Too bad for older mischievious brothers.
First off: you’re teaching a unit on Pirates? PIRATES? Where the hell were you when I was a kid?
Heh, that’s brilliant. And kind of a shame. Let’s face it, the world could use a little more love and a little less middle finger. Not that I’m the type to put that kind of idea into someone’s head anyway… ;)
This is a great story!
Now everytime someone gives me the finger, I’m going to say’ “Hey, I love you too!” It probably won’t be nearly as charming as it was coming from your students though…
You are quite possibly one of the best teachers EVER! Seriously…I want to be your student.
As for the “chinese”…too, too funny. Poor kids.
Well I think I’m just going to have to express my love for someone today in Chinese :) That is precious of your students and terrible of that older brother who I hope got grounded.
Negligent older siblings…….a shame. They have the power to ruin everything.
I have a feeling you’ll have students writing loving posts about you some day!
Oh my! I can imagine the look of horror on your face.
I think I want to be a teacher…Haha!
That’s sort of hilarious, and sort of not, because it reminds me of when I was living in France and my host brother taught me a whole bunch of dirty words–but told me that they were words that could be used in polite conversation. That was very awkward.
Good thing you knew how to say I love you in sign language! That was a smart response.
I felt like I commented already, but I guess not. In which case, LOL! (And I hardly ever LOL.)
That’s adorable! I mean, seriously adorable!
I used to call my students “my babies.” They were 16 year old babies, but still–my babies.
It just goes to show kids will say and do the funniest things. I can’t imagine the hijinks that you must see on a day to day basis.
Cutest story ever.
HAWSUM story! Thanks for sharing that!
This one made me laugh out loud! Your kids are lucky to have you as their teacher :)