1) My student with the loud pipes shows up to school in a dress with no underpants on. I know this because she accidentally moons me while playing in the classroom. I pull her aside and into the bathroom and mention that she might have forgotten something this morning. She realizes, but instead of being embarrassed she informs me that she’ll make sure to sit with her dress over her knees and why can’t she not wear underwear…I tell her about privacy. I hand her a pair of panties from her spare clothes bin and say,” I’m going to leave these panties with you.” She screams at me: “They’re not called PANTIES!” “Uh…Underwear?” “YES! Yes! They’re UNDERWEAR.” Got it, kid.
2) It’s never too early to start witnessing catty, petty, name calling between little girls. And little girls hold grudges…they really, really do.
3) It’s still really hard for some kids to figure out going how to effectively go to the bathroom. One little three year old boy in particular tends to disappear during lunch. When pressed to find him, one will discover that he is in the boy’s room, on the floor, writhing around with his pants tangled up around his ankles.
4) A scandal is overheard during journaling: one of the boys wants to draw a “sexy lady.” What does sexy mean? The students at his table decide that “sexy” is another word for cute…and hot.
5) One of my students has two daddies. They are referred to as “papa” and “daddy.” Hands down, they are one of my absolute favorite parents. Unlike folks who actually spawn their own young these guys have a great sense of humor about the parenting thing. Their approach is completely equal and united and it shows.