Unforgettable Moments

The conversations, one liners, pictures, and stories that have brought tears of laughter and a smile to my face...

Who’s Younger?

Playing a math game in class:

Boy 1: I get to go first because I'm the youngest.
Me: No, I'm the youngest
Boy 1: No, I'm 5!
Me: I'm 3! 
Boy 2 jumps in: No, you're 16!

Discipline

On Day my Kindergartens were super loud, silly, and rude so in a very stern voice I told them now upset and disappointed I was in their behaviour. One little JK girl puts up her hand and adorably stutters, "I-I-I love you, Ms. Lawrence".

Play Date

JK girl: Ms. Lawrence will you come to my house to play?
Me: You want me to come over?
JK girl: Yes, on September 27

*This conversation took place sometime in February

A New Do

Girl: Ms. Lawrence you cut your hair! 
Me: I did! Do you like it?
Girl: No

Trampoline

I was working on the "fl" blend with one of my SK boys and we were reading the word "flipped"
Boy: I can do a front flip on a trampoline!
Me: That's cool! I don't know if I could do that...
Boy: That's because you're too big. The trampoline would probably break.

Movie Admission

In math, I gave the Grade 3s a problem involving movie admission. There were different prices for children, adults, and seniors. The question involved me going to the movies with my Grandma and my three nieces.

Me: How many children’s tickets will we need?

Boy: Four

Me: Are you sure?

Boy: Yes. Your three nieces and you

Me: I’m an adult, though

Boy: But…you aren’t married and you have no kids!

A “Frozen” Indoor Recess

Our school has this amazing gym activity called Gaga Ball and it’s only set up for one week each month. With all the indoor recesses we’ve been having, different grades have been allowed to use it for different recesses. Yesterday, after what felt like YEARS of waiting (so I’m told), the announcements said that the Grade Threes were allowed to use it at morning recess. My class erupted into cheers and suddenly one boy belts out in his best Anna voice, “For the first time in foreeeeeveeeeer!” It was hilarious.

Friday Absence Plan

Boy: I'm not going to be here on Friday.
Me: Why?
Boy: I have a hockey tournament.
Me: That sounds like fun!
Boy: Yeah...and I think I'll try to find you a husband!

Halloween Costume

Girl: Ms. Lawrence, what are you going to be for Halloween?

Me: I'm thinking maybe I'll be a Spice Girl

Boy: What?! You're going to cover yourself in hot sauce?!

Easter Break Plans 

Girl: I’m going to Disney World and then we’re going to Miami.

Me: WHAT?! Can I come? Can you squeeze me in your suitcase?

Girl: Sorry. I think I just need some alone time with my mom and dad.

The Mystery Animal

Boy: Ms. Lawrence, do you like my drawing? It's an animal. Do you know which one?
Me: No, I don't. Which animal is it?
Boy: I'll give you a hint. It lives in the wild. It lives in the forest...
Me: Is it...a squirrel?
Boy: No...it's a Chihuahua!

Sorry, I'm Late

One of my boys came in 20 minutes late.

Boy: Ms. Lawrence, did I miss anything?

Me: No, we just read a story.

Boy: Did we do any math?

Me: No.

Boy: Oh thank God. Good. I love math!

The True Meaning of Christmas

One of my boys said to me, "Ms. Lawrence, I know you feel fortunate to have us as your students, and getting presents isn't the best thing. The best thing is being with others". 

Childhood Crush

A mother of my student told me about a conversation she had with her son:

Boy: Mom, does Amy (my sister) have a boyfriend?
Mother: I'm not sure
Boy: I think Ms. Lawrence has one but she doesn't say. I think if she does he would be a really nice boy because she is a really nice teacher. Do you really think Amy has no boyfriend?
Mother: Actually, I think she does
Boy: NO!

New Shoes

One of my girls asked me to tie up her shoe and says, "Do you like my new ideas? My brother got some too."
Me: "Do you mean your new ADIDAS?
Girl: Yeah!

You

I was teaching one of my kids how to read and spell the word, "you". Then I asked her to use the word, "you" in a sentence. As innocent as can be she said, "My mommy is be-you-tiful".

New York Celebrities

Me: Who knows what the word celebrity means?
Boy: It's this big statue that is in New York
Me: * smiling * I think you're thinking of the Statue of Liberty
Boy: Ohhhh yeah!

Do You Have Kids?

Boy: Ms. Lawrence, do you have any kids?

Me: No, I don't.

Boy: I think I know why. You're too old.

Class, Meet Mrs. Lawrence

My mom hand delivered flowers to me today, so when she walked into my classroom, I introduced her as "Mrs. Lawrence". After she left, this was my conversation with a little boy:
Boy: Why do you guys have the same name?
Me: She's Mrs. Lawrence because she's married. I'm Ms. Lawrence because I'm not married yet, so I still have my original last name. It will change when I get married one day.
Boy: Who are you going to marry?
Me: I'm not sure yet
Boy: Well…will you marry me?!

Matchmaker

As I was taking the morning attendance one day, a Grade Two raised her hand urgently.

Girl: Ms. Lawrence, can I please ask you a question?

Me: Of course! What’s your question?

Girl: Would you date a 40 year old boy, or would you just stick with 23?

Women’s Rights

We were in the middle of a Heroes unit and we were teaching the kids about Nellie McClung and how she fought for women’s rights.

Teacher: At that time, women weren’t allowed to do a lot. They weren’t even allowed to wear pants; only skirts. Can you imagine being a woman and not being allowed to do anything?

Girl raises her hand: Sometimes, my mom doesn’t want to do anything. She’s so tired of having to do everyone’s laundry!

Moms and Dads

We were writing stories (inspired by Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) one afternoon and I was working with two of my Grade Twos.

Me: So after the giant pancake lands on top of the school, what happens at the end of your story?

Boy: The two people run and jump on it and start to kiss!

Girl: Ewww, kissing is disgusting!

Boy: Why is it gross? Your mom and dad probably kiss all the time.

Girl: Yeah they do. But then my dad had a surgery so they won’t have any more kids. I already have two little sisters. I don’t want anymore!

Colouring

When I was tutoring the other night, I thought I’d have my little Grade Two girl make a thank you card for her teacher since it was the end of the school year. She wrote her message and then I let her draw a picture. She drew a nice picture of her teacher with lots of hearts. Now, this little one has to use every marker in the box in her picture. I’m used to this. At the very end, she picked up the gray marker and said, “I just have to touch up her hair”.

Since the Day We Met

Grade 3 girl: Ms. Lawrence! I’ve missed you!

Me: I’ve missed you too! How has school been this year?

Girl: Good! You’re so pretty, Ms. Lawrence

Me: (blushing) oh, thank you!

Girl: I’ve thought you were pretty since the very first day I ever met you!

Ms. Versus Mrs.

Kindergarten girl: Are you Ms. Lawrence, or Mrs. Lawrence?

Me: I'm Ms. Lawrence. I'm not married.

Girl: Oh. I wish you were married so I could call you MRS. Lawrence!

One Day My Parents...

Boy 1: My dad was born in Venezuela and my step dad was born in Africa. And one day, I'm going to get a passport and go to Venezuela with my dad!

Boy 2: Ms. Lawrence, can I PLEASE tell you something? You know what? One day, my parents…they're going to get old!

Say Yes to the Dress!

Girl: Sometimes I like to get dressed up pretty for school. When I'm in Grade 9, I'm going to wear my dress with that mermaid that doesn't have a mother.

Me: The Little Mermaid?

Girl: Yes.

Me: Don't you think you'll have new clothes by the time you're in Grade 9?

Girl: Well yeah, but I'm still going to wear that dress!

How Much Does an Orangoutang Weigh?
In literacy, I was reading animal fact cards with a Grade 1 boy. 

Me: (reading) The orangoutang is about 150 pounds.

Boy: Is that a lot?

Me: Not really. Your dad probably weighs around 150 pounds

Boy: I think my dad is a lot fatter than that orangoutang!

Paper Folding

I was working in a Grade 3/4 class where they were making 

Mother's Day cards that looked like butterflies. 

Boy: Ms. Lawrence, will you please help me fold my paper?

Me: You're in Grade 3. I want to see you try.

Boy: Ms. Lawrence, if there's one thing in this world I hate more than The Wiggles, it's folding paper.