Cute Quotesfrom The Diary of a First Grade TeacherCute quotes should be recorded and shared for one important reason … So others can enjoy them, too!During Reading Group ...I was listening to Ben read whenever Ema sprang from her desk and stomped her way over to see me. She was offended about something and it showed.“This is REAL ‘portant,” she blurted, “or I wouldn’t ‘sturb you.” Not making a sound, I mouthed the words, “What is it?” “MARTIN!” she boomed. “He’s over there doing stuff!” I mouthed my words again, “What’s he doing?” “He’s SQUEEZING STUFF,” she shouted ... then mouthed these words: “And it starts with capital A, for Amy.”
Don’t Blame Me!I was passing out graded test papers to the red reading group ...“And what’s this?” Not blinking an eye, he said, “Loegan.” “I see that’s a drawing of Loegan, but WHY is it on your test?” “That’s nuttin’ … That’s just my crayons goofing off!” The Ant and the GrasshopperThe first graders had just completed reading the story, “The Ant and the Grasshopper.”In the story the ant works hard all summer and saves enough food for the winter months. The grasshopper, however, never works. Instead, he plays all summer long ... ... When winter comes the grasshopper has nothing to eat, so he goes to see the ant. The ant refuses to give him anything to eat. As usual, at the end of the story, I checked for reading comprehension. And after asking the reading group several different types of questions, I asked them one last question – one that has no one correct answer. But I wanted to see what my students thought: “What would YOU do if YOU were the ant and the grasshopper asked YOU for food?” Loegan responded immediately. “I would share! You know why? ‘Cause I’m God’s kid, and all God’s kids know how to share.” He paused to reflect. “And also, a grasshopper ... he can’t go ANYWHERE and get food stamps!” The Grasshopper and the Ants – 1934
Cute Quotes from Word DefinitionsDuring yellow reading group we read a current news story about a child who had polio. I wondered if my first graders knew what that was …“Who has ever heard the word – POLIO - before?” “Me!” Weesie said. “It’s somebody who’s cripple. And she gots to wear bracelets all up and down her legs.” Loegan laughed smugly and shook his head in disbelief. But alas, he went ahead and explained it to her ... “No, no, you talkin’ ‘bout when you go to the dentist ... THAT’s where you get bracelets all over your teeth!” Earlier today I was thinking about the famous line, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” Then, after my students left, I looked it up. Alexander Pope wrote it in 1709 ... It wasn't a cute quote, but it was a profound one. Surely this man must have know many first graders.
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