Why I Teach First Grade

Whenever I tell people that I teach, they often respond by saying "That's cool. What grade do you teach?" Then when I tell them that I teach first grade they say "I don't know how you do it?" Sometimes I agree with them but then there are little moments like today that make me realize why I really do teach first grade! Here's how it went. We were just getting ready to go to the library when I look over and see one of my dear students, Bayleigh, picking her nose. This is our convo...

Mrs. Lamb: "Bayleigh, quit picking your nose!"

Bayleigh "But it hurts Miss Laaam (said with a Texas accent) it's bleeding, I need a band aid!!"

Mrs. Lamb: "Let me see sweetie"

Bayleigh then shows me the inside of her nose. (As if a band aid would work in this area?)

Mrs. Lamb: "It looks like your okay, but if you keep picking at it, it's gonna bleed."

Bayleigh: "Okay..."

Shortly after getting to library, I look over and see Bayleigh picking her nose again....

Mrs. Lamb: "Bayleigh, quit picking at your nose!'

Bayleigh: "But it still hurts Miss Laaam?"

Mrs. Lamb "I know Bayleigh, that's why I want you to stop picking at it!"

At this point the librarian is reading a story to the class and I hear....

Bayleigh: "Mrs. Marshall, my nose is bleeding!!" (guess she didn't believe me)

Mrs. Marshall (The librarian): "Go get a tissue on the counter."

Now, the librarian and I are dying of laughter in the back of the room watching her shove pieces of tissue up her nose. So just picture this little girl with these funny facial expressions with gobs of tissue sticking out of her nose.

Five minutes later....

Bayleigh: "Miss Laam!!! I have tissue stuck up my nose!!!!"

Mrs. Lamb: "Come here, let me see. Tilt your head back."

As I'm looking up her nose for any trace of a tissue, I can't see anything....at all. I was getting quite nervous that I would have to pry it out with tweezers or something so I said...

Mrs. Lamb: "Bayleigh, go get the trash can."

Bayleigh: "What for Miss Laaam?"

Mrs. Lamb: "Just go get the trash can Bayleigh."

She returns with the trashcan and I'm busting a gut because only Bayleigh would do something like this.

Mrs. Lamb: "Okay sweetheart, I need you to push this side of your nose shut.

Bayleigh: "But it's this side Miss Laaam?"

Mrs. Lamb: "I know sweetie just push your other nostril shut."

Bayleigh:"Okay..."

Holding the trash can up to her nose I said....

Mrs. Lamb: "Now BLOW!"

Seconds later, thanks to a good farmer blow, the nickel size ball of tissue comes flying out her nose into the trash can and I hear....

Bayleigh: "WOW!! IT'S LIKE BASKETBALL!!! THANKS MISS LAAAM! LOOK GUYS!!!"

My other students: "WOW!! Good job Bayleigh!!!"

And that my friends... is why I teach first grade. Did I mention the burnt, chocolate chip cookies that she stayed up all night making for me? That's another story for another day :-)