Compliments or Why I Love Teaching Little Ones

"Whoa, you look super-pretty today!"

Junie B. Jones has such a way of cutting through the small talk and calling it like it is. It is so cute when they notice what I'm wearing and compliment it.

The Way Things Were

"I miss Chad."

Junie B. Jones said this randomly the other day. I replied, "I miss him too."

Chad was in our class until January when his family moved to a neighboring community. He sat next to Junie and helped her find things (especially page numbers and pencils). I have no idea where it came from but it was a sweet comment because nobody had said anything about him for at least two months.

They are Listening

"Junie, you are wearing a dress. Sit like a lady!"

I love hearing students repeat my words. It gives me a special kind of feeling and lets me know they actually listen to me.

The kids in my class are required to sit "criss-cross-applesauce" when we are on the floor. The only exception to this is "ladies" wearing dresses/skirts who are required to sit with their legs folded to the side ("like a lady").

Consider Your Audience

"What the heck does 'rather' mean anyway?!?!

This from my local Junie B. Jones doppelganger after asking if she could work on her fun packet. I told her, "I would rather you read your library book." We went back and forth for a minute or two before she exploded with the great question above. The thing is, I didn't want to just tell her, "No, you may not work on your fun packet." I wanted her to make the right decision on her own. Turns out it would have been better to Just Say No.