September 6, 2010

Humor

Written by: Cami Larochelle, Intermediate Literacy/Math Teacher, Scenic Park Elementary

It was at the end of the school year in Kotlik, Alaska. I just completed another year of teaching 5^th and 6^th grades. Students were dismissed from school, but three girls from my class enthusiastically volunteered their time to help me clean the classroom. I made sure that they had permission from their parents to do so.

I was busy finalizing grades, attendance and end of the year paper work. I was so determined I didn’t take a few minutes to visit with them. The girls dusted and wiped down the chalkboards and walls. When they were done one of the girls asked, “What you want us to do next, Cami?”

I scanned the room and noticed that one of the bulletin boards still had butcher paper and material stapled on it. I replied, “How about taking down that bulletin board.” They agreed.

I continued working on my grades, engrossed and preoccupied to meet deadlines. About 20 minutes passed when one of the girls asked, “Where do you want us to put this?” Two of the girls were holding the bulletin board completely off the wall! Amazed, I asked “How did you get that down?!” They replied, “We used a butter knife from the kitchen like screw driver.”

I laughed; they looked at me with confused eyes. I explained I didn’t literally mean take the bulletin board down off the wall, but to take the material off from the bulletin board. “Ooohh…” then their laughter began. After all our laughter, I apologized for not being specific and not paying close attention to what they were doing. We screwed the bulletin board back on the wall then took the material off the bulletin board.

I thought they were pretty clever, working quietly and modifying the butter knife as a screw driver.

Lesson learned: Slow down and smell the roses, be grateful for the families involved, for parents allowing their children to help me, and the students volunteering their time. Take time to visit with them, after all they took time to help me. Be specific, regardless of the age of the students. Remember that not everyone may understand figures of speech, idioms, terms, slang, acronyms etc.

Be able to laugh at yourself for silly mistakes and laugh with others. Laughter exercises your internal organs. Stay healthy!