Kindergarten: Reading, Writing, Mai-Tai’s and Mojito’s.
I try to volunteer a couple of times a month in my son’s kindergarten class. I enjoy seeing him in his school environment. I never had an opportunity to be a classroom volunteer with my two older girls because I had the younger kids at home. Now, I have the time.
So off I go every month to Kindergarten.
And you can learn a lot from kindergartners. They are funny. And chatty. And not really all that interested in using their inside voices.
I’m not even sure they have inside voices.
I had an assignment to work with the children in small groups out in the hallway. I was supposed to help them come up with twenty C-V-C words. And for those of you who don’t know, a C-V-C word means consonant-vowel-consonant. I did not know this. I had actually never heard of a C-V-C word before. So I had to ask the teacher. And you could see the confidence in her eyes. She was totally thinking she should have sent me to make copies.
She should have. Copies I can do. Sharpening the pencils and sorting the papers into the cubbies, I excel at. But I seem to be lacking the quick thinking ability to come up with the C-V-C words on short notice.
And I don’t think it is all my fault. I mean I had to walk in at 10 minutes after 9 and be ready to hit the ground running. It was a good thing I opted to be 10 minutes late so I could stop for my morning caffeine. Because I needed it.
The group of three that came out into the hallway first was not really all that into it. They opted to spend about 10 minutes finding the right colored marker to use. And then another 10 minutes asking me questions about my son and his nickname. And then I managed to get them to write out four words. M-O-M, D-A-D, D-O-G, C-A-T.
I was on a roll.
Then they decided that instead of trying to spell my next little batch of words they would start to giggle. Loudly. And not stop. And I felt like I was with my own kids, with the way that nobody was listening to me.
But still I persevered. Because I had an assignment. And nothing could distract me from my teaching.
I got the group refocused. Well, 2 out of the 3 refocused. One little guy decided to lay down on the floor and roll the masking tape around. And when he told me I ‘wasn’t really the teacher’ well, I didn’t know what to say. So I let him roll around on the floor and play with the masking tape. Because like he said, I am not the teacher.
And I had no idea what to do.
He’s not my kid, so my tried and true discipline methods of screaming and threatening were out of the question. And if I don’t have those, well really, I got nothin’.
I managed to come up with another round of the C-V-C words. B-E-D, M-A-P, M-A-T, B-A-T, H-A-T.
Thank goodness I learned how to rhyme in kindergarten.
But after that, I was out of words. I was able to come up with a stray S-A-T and R-A-T, but then I was really out.
One little girl said C-A-R.
I was grateful for her input.
Because my C-V-C well had run dry.
And then he said it. The little boy that was laying on the floor playing with the masking tape roll.
R-U-N.
“Run! Very good!” I said.
“No, not run,” he said. “RUM.”
“Rum?” I asked.
“Yeah,” masking tape boy said. “For a drink. You look like you need one.”
And after that, I surely did.
Posted: April 17th, 2008 under Parental Observations.
Comments: 23
Comments
Comment from Amy @ By His Grace
Time: April 17, 2008, 3:13 am
From a kindergartener? I think I would have fallen over at that point! Kudos to you for helping out at school!
Comment from Jdude
Time: April 17, 2008, 6:02 am
RUN to you RUM, honey! And I wonder why I don’t volunteer in the schools more. I’ve been using my preschool as my excuse and that one is almost gone and I’m not sure my inner self really wants to volunteer like I have said that I would when I didn’t have preschoolers.
And I got no CVCs!
Comment from Becky @ Boys Rule My Life
Time: April 17, 2008, 6:08 am
BWAHAHAHAAA! That was hilarious. I mean seriously, what do you say to that?
PS> I had no idea what CVC words either - thanks for filling me in. I immediately was thinking CVS. I haven’t had my coffee yet this am. Let me go get that before I stop somewhere else… 
Comment from JanMary, N Ireland
Time: April 17, 2008, 6:15 am
I learnt about cvc words 3 years ago, while helping in my daughter’s class. It seems easy - until you have a group of little kids watching you and waiting…and waiting…..!
Comment from ValleyGirl
Time: April 17, 2008, 7:32 am
Yeah, what do you say to that?! Wow. From a kindergartner. “Why thank you. Don’t mind if I do!”
I grudgingly agreed to help with the school’s hot lunch program a week ago and decided it’s not so bad. As long as I don’t have to organize it. And have hubby at home to look after Fidget. Good for you, volunteering on a regular basis!
Comment from Jen M
Time: April 17, 2008, 8:11 am
That’s too funny! My youngest is starting preschool next year and just like you, I’m excited to help out without a baby at home!
Comment from Ashlee
Time: April 17, 2008, 8:29 am
First of all….how does a five year old know about rum? And then to know when an adult would “need” one? Yeah……
At least you’ve been able to see kindergarten ‘Real World’. It’s definitely interesting isn’t it? Little kids know nothing about quiet or not saying things they shouldn’t say {like you need a glass of rum} In one of the kindergarten classes this year a little girl stood on her desk and told her teacher she was going to hell for cutting her hair. Apparently in her religion women aren’t allowed to cut their hair. Go figure.
Comment from Christie
Time: April 17, 2008, 8:40 am
That is the exact reason why I hate going into the classrooms. My own kids are so happy to see me, and so excited, but I hate dealing with everyone else’s bratty kids. I have one kid who REFUSES to do anything when I’m there. I want to yell at him like I would if it was my own, but I’m too terrified of frightening the teacher and getting kicked out of the school.
I’d go get that rum if I were you.
Comment from Queen B
Time: April 17, 2008, 8:47 am
So good of you to help out with the kids. I prefer the copies…
Here’s my CVC sentence about masking tape boy:
His mom got KO’d (from) rum.
5 CVCs (KO’d so counts.)
Skillz.
Comment from Autumn Dahlia
Time: April 17, 2008, 8:54 am
Drinking before helping in kindergarten is the way to go. How do you think there are still so many teachers?
After we go on vacation, I’m really hoping that T doesn’t repeat how many times I happen to say “mojito”. Cause it could be many. And many.
Comment from Jennifer
Time: April 17, 2008, 9:58 am
No way! That is hilarious! I’m rolling! Too funny!
Smiles,
Jen
Comment from Deb - Mom of 3 Girls
Time: April 17, 2008, 11:22 am
Oh my goodness. I don’t think my first grader even knows what rum is, much less how to spell it! Then again, she still doesn’t know what an inside voice is either. I can do without her learning the one but my ears are hoping she gets the idea of the other sooner rather than later.
Comment from Leslie (snaphappyinkymomma)
Time: April 17, 2008, 11:49 am
Seriously, LOL.
Comment from Kelly @ Love Well
Time: April 17, 2008, 12:14 pm
He. Did. NOT.
That is absolutely the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.
Comment from Jan
Time: April 17, 2008, 1:06 pm
Another funny post. We do know what goes on at ‘floor boy’s’ house, lots of ‘cocktails’.
Comment from Thea @ I’m a Drama Mama
Time: April 17, 2008, 4:36 pm
Oh.
My.
God.
That is too flippin’ hilarious!!
Comment from Kim N
Time: April 17, 2008, 4:44 pm
That was the best laugh I have had all week. I feel your pain. I was a “room mom” in kindergarten last year. I made a lot of copies. And I usually took my diet coke to class with me.
Comment from Carolyn
Time: April 17, 2008, 6:55 pm
This was too hysterical! I think I would have been the one rolling on the floor like “masking tape boy” after that came out of his mouth! I don’t know if I could have lasted another minute!
Thanks for letting me know about CVC words. I have a grandson who will be in kindergarten soon. If I volunteer, I will feel more confidant knowing that I already know something thanks to you, before I walk into the classroom!
Comment from Wendi
Time: April 17, 2008, 8:36 pm
I think I just laughed harder than I did yesterday about men purses.
YOU. ARE. HILARIOUS.
Comment from shelia
Time: April 18, 2008, 9:03 am
That’s hilarious! A little scary but hilarious.
Comment from staciesmadness
Time: April 18, 2008, 10:13 am
I guess it could have been worse…maybe…lmfao
Comment from Mary@notbefore7
Time: April 20, 2008, 8:08 pm
HA HA HA HA…did you go home and have one? 
Comment from Becky
Time: April 30, 2008, 5:22 pm
That was one of the funniest things I have read in a long time. I actually didn’t know what CVC meant. Guess things have really changed since we’ve been in school.
But the little boy on the floor who said RUM, that almost made me fall out of my chair laughing. I’m thinking at that point I would probably have needed one.
Great story.
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