Why I Laugh in Second Grade

I was counting to the "magic number" so the kids had time to be ready to move on.
Me- "Uno............... dos..................."
My monolingual Spanish student (L) who is just now learning how to be involved in class shouts out,  "TRES!!!!"
Me- "Gracias Larry."


I'm drawing a leaf quickly on the board to show the kids where the nervio central principal is located.  I tend to talk to myself, and often aloud.  I say to myself, "well that doesn't really look like a great leaf, but whatever."
From behind me I hear a small voice call out, "It's okay Miss. Greer, we all try our best."
BWAAHAHAHAHAHA!


C comes up to me when she's supposed to be working independently and gives me a hug.  This is not uncommon behavior for her.  Then she looks up at me and says, "It's okay Miss. Greer, don't cry."  (Another girl, L, walks up at this point)  I laugh and say, "Oh my gosh, did I look like I was going to cry?"  C says, "yeah, a little bit."  L interjects, "No, you just looked like you were going to fall asleep."  (A much more accurate observation.)


I was trying quickly to draw a horse on the board (I know, my spur of the moment artistic efforts all end the same way)...  I (again) say something to myself about the quality of my drawing.  This time L calls out to just do my best and it'll be okay.  A calls out that she can draw a GREAT horse.  5 students gang up on A and tell her that Miss. Greer is doing just fine and that all we need to do is our best.  They were pretty sweet to defend my pride :)


While talking about the horse and its harness, I momentarily stopped concentrating on my speaking and told them that the horse had "ropa" on.  For those of you who don't know, that means clothes.  They looked at me funny and I realized my mistake.  "UNA CUERDA! UNA CUERDA!!!"  Oh my.


Often when counting to the magic number I lose track, or get distracted because I'm multitasking (not my strength :)   So one day I'm counting to the magic number starting at 25 and going up to 35.  I think I say "25...................26.......................27......................................................................................................."  I begin helping a student with a question they'd asked me.  All the sudden in my subconscious I hear my monolingual Spanish L running to the front of the room calling "28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35!" As quickly as he can.  Then he proceeds to ring my bell that I have in the front of the room that acts as an "eyes on me" signal.  I was dying inside- it was hilarious.


I was reading the kids a book today about a pioneer family.  They were obsessed with the family's dog.  No matter what was happening in the story, with every page turn they'd raise their hand and ask a question about the dog.  Why did the dog have to walk behind?  Why didn't the dog ride in the wagon?  Why didn't they tie him up?  Why did he want to come with?  What did the dog eat if he got hungry?  Wasn't the dog tired?  Where did the dog sleep?  Where is the dog in this picture?  I can't see the dog!  Okay, so endearing as that may seem, it began detracting from the story I was reading them.  I finally said in Spanish, almost exasperated that the dog was fine.  He got fed, he got taken care of, he did what he wanted, when he wanted to.  I told the kids we weren't going ask any more questions about the dog.  A little girl raised her hand.  I called on her.  "Why doesn't the dog just ride the horse?"