There's a lovely little song called Down Came A Lady:
"Down came a lady, down came two. Down came old Daniel's wife and she was dressed in blue."
As my first graders and I walked in a circle and sang, I swore I kept hearing "she was dressed in boobs." Surely not! No child among this group of sweet, innocent six and seven year olds would have the audacity, I assured myself. I listened again, thinking that upon closer examination I would hear "she was dressed in boots," an honest mistake for any first grader. And then I heard it again. Narrowing my eyes and turning a keen ear to the likely suspects (boys), I spotted him... The Usual, of course.
All teachers know that proximity is a powerful tool. Much like police presence on a highway sends drivers into a sudden and dramatic speed reduction, teacher proximity to the rabble-rouser sets things right quickly. I moved to The Usual's side, thinking he would begin singing the song with the correct words. But no. Leaning in close and whispering menacingly, I asked what he was saying. Not so quietly, he responded "boobs." Showing no sign of shame or remorse, he answered my puzzled look with, "what?!" I asked the expected questions. "Do you know what that word means?" (Yes) "Why did you say it, then?" (Because it's funny) "Don't you find that inappropriate?" (No)
So, then what do you do? I explain that it is inappropriate, I'm really disappointed, yada yada, and he needs to stop. He agrees and we move on with life because honestly, it's just not worth the extra time it would take to discipline him further for what I must agree is a little funny. Right, guys? Or have I just been spending too much time with first graders?
"Down came a lady, down came two. Down came old Daniel's wife and she was dressed in blue."
As my first graders and I walked in a circle and sang, I swore I kept hearing "she was dressed in boobs." Surely not! No child among this group of sweet, innocent six and seven year olds would have the audacity, I assured myself. I listened again, thinking that upon closer examination I would hear "she was dressed in boots," an honest mistake for any first grader. And then I heard it again. Narrowing my eyes and turning a keen ear to the likely suspects (boys), I spotted him... The Usual, of course.
All teachers know that proximity is a powerful tool. Much like police presence on a highway sends drivers into a sudden and dramatic speed reduction, teacher proximity to the rabble-rouser sets things right quickly. I moved to The Usual's side, thinking he would begin singing the song with the correct words. But no. Leaning in close and whispering menacingly, I asked what he was saying. Not so quietly, he responded "boobs." Showing no sign of shame or remorse, he answered my puzzled look with, "what?!" I asked the expected questions. "Do you know what that word means?" (Yes) "Why did you say it, then?" (Because it's funny) "Don't you find that inappropriate?" (No)
So, then what do you do? I explain that it is inappropriate, I'm really disappointed, yada yada, and he needs to stop. He agrees and we move on with life because honestly, it's just not worth the extra time it would take to discipline him further for what I must agree is a little funny. Right, guys? Or have I just been spending too much time with first graders?