Problems in First Gradefrom The Diary of a First Grade TeacherProblems in first grade? Yep, that's right!But, thank goodness, the really SERIOUS ones occur rarely. It's the not-so-big problems in first grade that happen WAY more often ... Because for first graders, almost everything is a BIG DEAL. But whether the entire class sees and hears what's happening, or if it's a quiet private matter, I view these small problems as teaching time also. This is when I hope to help the students learn two very important lessons in life ...
On these kinds of lessons, I try to use my common sense and a big heart. Hopefully, just like their Mommas and Daddys would want me to ... After all, we first grade teachers are fully aware that we have your precious child looking at us and counting on us to guide them and treat them all fairly. The Frustrated ArtistMartin bombarded Ema with questions about her clay creation. "What is that? What are you making?" Ema was deeeply involved in her creation and ignored him... or so I thought. He hadn't noticed, so he continued. "MAN, that looks good! What's that gonna be? Huh? What is that?" Finally, Ema stopped and looked him square in the eye. Thrusting her little chin forward, she hissed. "Listen, I'm SICK and TARD of being ERUPTED!"
The Four Seasons"Weesie?" I said. "Me?" She silently mouthed the words to me: "My hand's not up." I nodded. "Tell me what you think." "I know you got four..." She squirmed in her seat and appeared to be in great pain. "Oooh, let's see ... "To tell the troof, the only one I 'MEMBER is football."
Where's My Pencil?!Stevie was upset with Clarissa. "Teacher," he announced, standing and pointing at Clarissa. "That girl borrowed my pencil today when it was long. And look at it now," he blubbered. "It's a baby!"The pencil was a stub. So, to be sure... I took the pencil in question over to Clarissa. "Is this the pencil that Stevie loaned you this morning?" "Yes," she replied. "It is? Hmmm," I said. "What happened to it?" She shrugged. "I don't know." Stevie jumped out of his seat again. "I think you do! I think you do!" I had never seen him so angry. I thought he was going to lose it. "Just for that," he demanded, "she can go and... AND..." Clarissa held her breath... Her eyes grew larger. He blasted, "And buy me a not sharpened one!"
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