It Was Probably a Stork

Christine's mom came to visit her PreK class (4 year olds) and had a little baby with her:

CHRISTINE:  That's my baby sister!  The bird brung her.

Insensitive?

I have discovered a way to get a crying 4 year old to stop!  It may not always work, but it has worked twice for me so far!  Both times, it has happened in the morning, at breakfast while the pre'k kids are saying goodbye to their parents.  Some of them cry on and on--and sometimes the kids are even crying, too. hahahaha!  Anyway, if a kid is really wailing super loud and really hurting people's ears, i'll go up to them and quietly say:

Hey, listen...Do you know how to sob?  I mean, because, right now, you are REALLY moaning...could ya change it to more of a sob?  You know, cry really quietly, like this.  ( I try to do a soft, sweet sob as an example.)  Thanks! 

Both times, they sat there confused as I walked away--confused and NOT crying.

At Least She Got Last Right

The music teacher was asking the 5th graders what they knew about Leonardo da Vinci in preparation for our upcoming musical, "Yo! Leonardo."

OLIVIA:  Um, yeah, he painted, "The Last Dinner."

Ray Rice

Of course, the subject of Ray Rice came up with my 5th graders.  It's all over the news, the NFL player who got in trouble for punching out his fiance.

MR. BOWERS:  Come on, kids, you know he was wrong, boys can't hit girls; boys are bigger and stronger.  (at this point, there is some dissension  in the class because some of the 5th grade boys are kinda small.)  You see the adults around you, boys get the brawn and girls get the brains!
FINN:  Mitchel gets both! (Mitchel is super smart--and all the kids know it!)
MR. BOWERS:  Mitchel, when you get married, you'll be sure to tell your wife that SHE is smarter---that's the "smart" thing to do, right?
MITCHEL:  Yup!
MR. BOWERS:  Well, I think it's not okay to hit ANYBODY--boy or girl.

Then we got busy doing some REAL Drama.

Look-a-Like

KINDERGARTENER:  Mr. Bowers, you look like JJ Watt!
MR. BOWERS:  Go to the nurse!

You Know, They're Only FOUR

MR. BOWERS:  Okay, PreK, what's it called when you go to the park for lunch and you sit on a blanket to eat?
JAYLA:  Nasty.

Books are for More Than Reading

I made up a new/old fashioned way to teach self control:

Books on the heads at their seats.  If you are under control, you may remove your book.  If you feel yourself getting out of control, replace the book.  If I have to remind you to be in control, you have to look at the clock and keep the book on for one minute.  Each loss of control adds a minute (up to 5).

All I've done so far is let the kids practice with books, they seem to like it...we'll seeeee.

Turn Down for Bowers

KINDERGARTENER:  Mr. Bowers, you look like JJ Watt!
MR. BOWERS:  Go to the nurse.