Diet of Glue and Paper
Helping at the B-ville SBS has helped me maintain my sanity -- that's what I said yesterday, and that evening was no exception.
Even though, or actually partly because, the class was a bit of a circus. I told Miss Amy Smucker (teacher of the first grade class I was "helping" in) that the class probably would have gone better if I had been absent. I think it's true, too, with regard to the worst problem child. I was sitting next to her, and it took me a while to get my sternness up to snuff. (I am learning that a smiling face has little desirable effect on misbehaving children.) In the mean time, she had great fun testing me and not doing as I said.
Child is scraping wax off a crayon and onto the carpet.
"Sydney, don't do that."
"But it's fun."
"I know it's fun, but you need to stop." (Some attempt is made by the author to halt the production of wax scrapings.)
"I'll do it over my dress."
I thought it would be unwise to physically restrain the child to remove the crayon -- you know, lawsuits and all that. I sat there in mild despair, and then Miss Amy arrived, the child placed the crayon back on the table, sat up nice and straight, and tried to look nonchalant. Hmmm, Amy's got that authority I lack.
On another occasion, the child is in possession of a purple glue stick. She takes small bites out of the sticky purpleness, and grins at me. The goo is stuck between her teeth.
"Sydney, don't do that. That's disgusting." She fails to obey, and takes another bite of glue. The stick is removed by one of the teachers.
During snack time, the child stuffed an entire napkin into her mouth. Later, she took a bite out of a paper circle. Strangely, she actually listened to me on that occasion when I implied that I would take the circle if she continued. And she obeyed my later command when she seemed ready to start eating blue glue. The straight and strict face works wonders -- or maybe Amy had taught her that evil does not go unnoticed.
Funny thing about that child, she's a bad actor, but really pretty innocent deep inside. She didn't hate Amy or I, and didn't hold my reprimanding against me. I asked her if she had any pets, and she proceeded to give me a lengthy response... Maybe what she really needs is positive attention.
***
Sometimes children can be so cluelessly amusing. I.e.:
Amy: What were the gifts the wise men brought the baby Jesus?
Anna: "Gold.... and frankenstein..." Her face was completely serious, she was so sincere. But, oh my goodness! I wonder what pictures crossed her mind when she said that.
You can read an exquisite recount of last night over at Amy's website.
Even though, or actually partly because, the class was a bit of a circus. I told Miss Amy Smucker (teacher of the first grade class I was "helping" in) that the class probably would have gone better if I had been absent. I think it's true, too, with regard to the worst problem child. I was sitting next to her, and it took me a while to get my sternness up to snuff. (I am learning that a smiling face has little desirable effect on misbehaving children.) In the mean time, she had great fun testing me and not doing as I said.
Child is scraping wax off a crayon and onto the carpet.
"Sydney, don't do that."
"But it's fun."
"I know it's fun, but you need to stop." (Some attempt is made by the author to halt the production of wax scrapings.)
"I'll do it over my dress."
I thought it would be unwise to physically restrain the child to remove the crayon -- you know, lawsuits and all that. I sat there in mild despair, and then Miss Amy arrived, the child placed the crayon back on the table, sat up nice and straight, and tried to look nonchalant. Hmmm, Amy's got that authority I lack.
On another occasion, the child is in possession of a purple glue stick. She takes small bites out of the sticky purpleness, and grins at me. The goo is stuck between her teeth.
"Sydney, don't do that. That's disgusting." She fails to obey, and takes another bite of glue. The stick is removed by one of the teachers.
During snack time, the child stuffed an entire napkin into her mouth. Later, she took a bite out of a paper circle. Strangely, she actually listened to me on that occasion when I implied that I would take the circle if she continued. And she obeyed my later command when she seemed ready to start eating blue glue. The straight and strict face works wonders -- or maybe Amy had taught her that evil does not go unnoticed.
Funny thing about that child, she's a bad actor, but really pretty innocent deep inside. She didn't hate Amy or I, and didn't hold my reprimanding against me. I asked her if she had any pets, and she proceeded to give me a lengthy response... Maybe what she really needs is positive attention.
Sometimes children can be so cluelessly amusing. I.e.:
Amy: What were the gifts the wise men brought the baby Jesus?
Anna: "Gold.... and frankenstein..." Her face was completely serious, she was so sincere. But, oh my goodness! I wonder what pictures crossed her mind when she said that.
You can read an exquisite recount of last night over at Amy's website.
posted by Claire at 17:30
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