While working with my first grade reading group, we encountered the name "Nate," which the students were pronouncing "Nat." Usually, I remind them that the magic "e" makes the "a" sound like its name. Instead, I told them that it was a long "a" sound, at which they all said in unison, "N-a-a-a-a-a-a-t!"

Debbie Polin
Tustin, California

While teaching a geometry lesson to my second graders recently, I asked if anybody knew what symmetry was. Several of my students raised their hands and took guesses, but none was correct. Then one of my boys raised his hand and said, "Isn't that where people go to rest?"

Stacy Schmidt
Chandler, Arizona

In my music room, a fourth grade class was learning a singing game that involved choosing a papier- mache fruit or vegetable to put into a basket. Since some items, such as eggplants or turnips, were less familiar to some students, I had all of them, in turn, say the names of the fruits or vegetables they held.

One boy, looking a bit puzzled, held out his avocado. "I don't know the exact name," he announced, "but I know it's full of guacamole!"

Steve Riihikoski
Portland, Oregon

A few years ago I was working in Minnesota as a Title 1 reading teacher. I was discussing the use of reference books as an aid to locate special information.

My audience was a small but eager group of third grade students. I asked them, "In which book would you find information on the English Channel?" A smiling young boy was quick to respond, "The T.V. Guide!"

Linda Kelly
Vero Beach, Florida

I was testing a first grade boy with our school psychologist to determine eligibility for the resource specialist program.
One of the questions asked was if he knew how many seasons there were in a year. He proudly exclaimed, "Yes, there are two." When asked what they were, he stated without hesitation, "Hunting and fishing."

Cleve Herring
Monterey, California

I was informing my first graders that next Friday would be picture make-up day. I explained that if they weren't here for pictures the first time, this was their chance for a make-up, and that they needed to bring their order form and money. One little girl approached me later, looking very upset and said, ``Miss Hinsdale, on make-up day do we have to wear make-up? Because I don't have any!" I guess I didn't explain it as well as I thought!

Shelby Hinsdale
Yuba City, California

I taught a unit on expository writing to a group of middle schoolers recently. I had the students begin by selecting topics on which they were experts.

They were intrigued to learn that I was going to let them write essays about such topics as "Burping," "Annoying Your Little Sister" and "Shopping."

After several sessions, though, I noticed that one boy had not yet begun his essay. They were due the next day and I was concerned, so I knelt beside him and asked what the problem was.

He assured me he didn't need any help and that he was about to begin. I asked him what his topic was, and he answered, "Procrastination."

He certainly was an expert on the topic and produced a fine essay just in the nick of time!

Barbara Kutasz
Portland, Oregon

One morning, as I greeted my second graders, one of my students proudly presented me with her show and tell: an ultrasound picture of herself prior to birth. I commented to her, "Oh is this you in the womb?"
Another student, overhearing this and not to be outdone, put his hands on his hips and emphatically stated, "Well, so what, I have been in the womb (room) twice this morning already!"

Debra Scovill
Wellington, Utah

During a current events lesson on the new golden dollar coin honoring the Shoshoni Indian woman Sacagawea, our third grade class discussed the expedition of Lewis and Clark and how they went through a rigorous training program in 1803 near St. Louis on the banks of the Mississippi River. When it came time to summarize our discussion in our language arts journals, one student wrote, ``Lewis and Clark camped on Mrs. Zippy's River." Oh! How we sometimes sound to our students!

Ruth S. Morris
El Paso, Texas

While watching over the first grade and kindergarten classes in the cafeteria, I told a young boy to stop being so boisterous. He responded, "I'm a boy, I'm not an oyster."

B.K. Parker
Boca Raton, Florida

Age of Innocence

After the first load dismissal bell rang, one of my innocent, bright second load first graders came over to my desk and asked me, "Mrs. Bergeron, what do you do after school?"

I looked him in the eye and tiredly responded, "Sweetie, when Mrs. Bergeron gets home, she fixes a cup of coffee. Do you know why she needs a cup of coffee?"

He shook his head 'no,' so I continued. "Because after school, I have to go home, change my clothes and start my 'second job.' You do know what my 'second job' is?"

I, of course, was referring to my "other" professional career of wife and mother of three girls.

He, however, with an affirmative nod of his head and the self-confident air of one who knows the answer, solemnly replied, "Jogging!"

Jennifer Bergeron
Houma, Louisiana

Several years ago, when children were much more innocent, a kindergarten student made this comment and it still makes me smile.

In art class, I was teaching the children how to draw portraits by having each child draw the face of a clown. I explained that we have to draw the real person's eyes first and then add the clown makeup.

One little boy raised his hand in shock and said, "Aren't clowns born that way?"

Linda Wanke
Weston, Florida

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