Today in Class

I might try to remember or record some funny snippets from school now that I have so little to write about. This is a class that is just starting a second grade book, but most of them really should be at least one book lower.

Sarah: Teacher, you is so fun.

Alia: Why?

Sarah: BeCAUSE, you hair is yellow. AND you THIS (rubs her cheeks) is WHITE.

Alia: Skin.

Sarah: Yes, skin. SO, you is fun.

Alia: Thank you.

Sarah: And you eyes is SOOOO big, so you is fun. But SOMEtimes, you--geu moaya?--skin is RED, when you laugh.

Daniel: You skin here is red (gets up and indicates my T-zone).

Alia: I know.

Sarah: TEACHER, I have a question.

Alia: I know.

Sarah: Why always you say is "I know"?

Alia: Because I know.

Sarah: OH. Teacher, I UNDERstand.

I can pretty often get away with saying no more than five words at a time in this class, because Sarah just keeps asking the same questions over and over, or gives me strings of ridiculous statements. Here's another classic comment she made recently, joined by her question sidekick:

Sarah: Teacher, why... you... today... fashion... GREAT?

Alia: Why not?

Helen: Teacher, Why not is what?

Alia: Don't say "Why not is what", say "What is why not"? (I say this to her 2-5 times a day.)

Helen: Oh, yes. Why not--geeuuuu--what is why not?

Alia: It's the opposite of why.

Helen: Teacher, opposite is what?

Alia: What is opposite.

Helen: Yes, what is opposite?

Alia: P'andae (I'm preeettty sure this is the Korean word for opposite. It seems to appease them.)

Sarah: HELEN, every day you say that! (It's true.)

Then everyone laughs. While all this has been going on every day, John is swinging some dangerous weapon around, Daniel has started a fight, Sherry is in giggle hysterics, Becky is drawing all over her notebook, and Joe has shot himself in the corner of the room.