Friday, September 19, 2008

Elementaryisms

I think we all know Carolyn isn't cut out to be an elementary school teacher. Vomit/snot/crying just really isn't my thing (unless it's proceeded by a night of heavy drinking.) But just because I don't plan a life career at the PK-5 level doesn't mean I'm not learning anything. Please for you to enjoy some elementaryisms...

• bubbles and angel wings - for the hall - students puff up their cheeks like they have a bubble inside their mouths and walk with their hands behind their backs, elbows out, making "angel wings."

• 1,2,3 is enough for me - for the water fountain - when this phrase is completed by the teacher, the student drinking knows it's time to move on.

take a seat - for assemblies - when asked to sit down at an assembly, the students chant and clap, "Take a seat! X Take a seat! X Take a load off your feet! XX," then sit on their pockets.

on your pockets - for sitting - a more PC way to say sit "on your bottom" or "Indian-style."

and my favorite so far:
ask 3 before me - for the classroom - if a student has a question, s/he is expected to ask 3 classmates to help before asking the teacher.

So, all my teacher friends... do you have a favorite ism you would like to share?

3 comments:

Jennifer McClain said...

I love the ask 3!! I will have to tell my mentor teacher that on Monday!! I love the bubbles...we have "Check 4"...bubbles, eyes forward, feet walking, and hands somewhere that is not flailing. Hehe...

Anonymous said...

"If you aren't interested, just put your head down and shut-up"...does that work?

Unknown said...

hee hee...
I've been told the quickest way to a parent-teacher conference is to say "shut up" to a kid.