Kids Will be Kids

We have all had moments when a situation calls for us to remain professional and composed, the classroom certainly being one of these. However, when working with kids there are always going to be times where this is tested! I recently asked a few of our teachers if they could recall a time that they have been tested to keep a straight face when exposed to such situations.

“It was the end of the school year and I decided to throw my Grade 8 practicum class a year-end party.

As a treat, I decided to bring some homemade cupcakes- along with icing, sprinkles, gummy worms, Oreo crumbs, etc.- and had the kids decorate their own. A great time was had by all and the students were ecstatic to load up their cupcakes with all the toppings available. Two boys in my class, who were the quintessential class clowns, proceeded to feed each other these massively piled-high cupcakes… wedding style (i.e. arms interlinked, cupcakes mushed into each other’s faces). Obviously, cupcake crumbs started to fall to the ground and I told the two students to clean up.

Immediately, as if I could see the light bulb go off above his head, one of the boys smiled a mischievous smile and started lowering himself to the ground in a push-up position. All I could say was, “Don’t even think about it!” but it was too late, because as quick as a vacuum cleaner, he did as he was told: he cleaned up the crumb of cupcakes with his mouth, directly off the ground.

As gross as that was, I couldn’t help but laugh and I still laugh thinking about it today. The whole experience taught me that students will disarm in the most creative ways and sometimes, you just have to laugh: kids will be kids!”

– Christina – Secondary Teacher, Melbourne