March 2025 SOLC–Day 26
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org
We were examining the ways to spell the “cher” sound, with the aim of introducing the “ture” ending. Students were contributing lots of ideas and we had a running list on the board, in two columns:
“ture”
nature
future
adventure
creature
picture
“cher”
teacher
bleacher
pitcher
catcher
Our list was longer, but this gives you an idea. Toward the end of our word gathering, a student called out, “What about amateur?”
“Yes! That definitely has the “cher” sound,” I said. “It comes from a French word, I think, so it’s spelled a different way. I’m not positive how to spell it,” I confessed, “but let me try and see if it looks right.”
amateur
I wrote it on the board and looked at it. “Hmmmm….I think that’s right.”
At that point, another teacher entered the room. We immediately consulted her, and happily she confirmed my spelling. As she left with a few students, I asked the remaining kids, including the student who’d volunteered the word, “Do you know what amateur means?”
They did not, so I explained that an amateur is someone who doesn’t get paid for what they are doing. They usually do it a lot and enjoy it, but aren’t paid. We talked about a professional versus an amateur in sports. The kids nodded sagely.
The next job was for them to write silly tongue twisters on sentence strips using as many words with the “cher” sound as they could. They had a fantastic, giggling time writing things like: “Don’t take a picture of my teacher in a bleacher.” or “The creature in the bleacher took a picture of my teacher.”
Toward the end of our work time, C. came up to me and proudly showed me his creation. It was only then that I realized I hadn’t fully explained the meaning of the word “amateur.” I forgot to include the second part of the definition: “a person who is incompetent or inept at a particular activity.”
I’m still not certain if his sentence was a subtle insult to me, or an indictment of the teacher pay scale. I’m pretty sure, though, that it was just an innocent misunderstanding. Either way it’s hanging on my classroom wall with all the others, loudly proclaiming to all visitors:
Nix the comfort zone 
The fact that his sentence is on a sentence strip- like a giant sign he’s raising up to show to the world- is my favorite part here! Oh boy, the perfect time to twist the knife during conference week! Too funny!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I should have mentioned it was conference week!
LikeLike
That’s hilarious! I love that it is on a sentence strip and seems like a proclamation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He also has very legible handwriting, darn it! lol
LikeLike
Just too funny, Molly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It makes me laugh every time I look at it! lol
LikeLike
I love that it’s a reflection on the absurd payment of teachers even if the student was just trying to get the job done~
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s spelled perfectly, so it doesn’t support the incompetent variation of the definition. Plus, look at the handwriting. Very accomplished. I think he was definitely commenting on the lack of compensation and the love of the work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m going with that interpretation…..most days! lol
LikeLike
Priceless! You are certainly no amateur, but your students are clever.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha! Oh my, this is gold!
I’ll be coming back whenever I need another good laugh today. Thanks, Molly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you enjoyed it and hope you came back again when you needed a laugh. It makes me laugh every time I look at it!
LikeLike
What a (backhanded) compliment! C. clearly has observed your love and passion for teaching. No need to bother with the rest of the definition. Although, adequate (professional) compensation would be welcome, I’m sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was pretty speechless when he came up to show me. lol
LikeLike
This is a classic that could be published in a collection of classroom stories. (Maybe we should create a collection in this community… I’m sure a lot of the writers here have some really good ones.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kid stories are the best!
LikeLike
This cracked me up! I agree with Diane above—this, among many other funny slices you have, could easily make a collection of classroom stories.
The tongue twisters activity is so fun, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d love to take credit for the tongue twisters activity, but it was directly taken from our phonics curriculum. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love phonics slices and especially those with humour in them. Your student’s sentence is priceless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m debating whether to point it out to his parents when they come for a conference…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a definite yes from me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great description of your excellent lesson here, and a funny story too. You are no amateur! And the old reading teacher in me is reminded that phonics, without comprehension, can lead us astray.
LikeLiked by 1 person
#truth Also, it was a lesson directly from our curriculum, so I really can’t take the credit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, the playfulness that you bring to these kids’ education. Well done. I always thought that if students of any age were encouraged to be playful in their writing and approach to words, they would WANT to write. Whatever you and your colleagues get paid is not enough. That said good teachers are woefully underpaid and poor ones …!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The phonics lesson was straight from our curriculum, which is quite engaging. I did go rogue today in writing, though, and had a great lesson with super engagement and some high quality writing. It was such fun!
LikeLike
Now that is funny! It does seem like teaching is a passion rather than a well-paid profession–I guess he understood that!
Kim
LikeLiked by 1 person
It still makes me laugh every time I look at the sentence strip or just think about it!
LikeLike
I love how you brought us right into the room with you, and we got to see you adopt and innovate, which led to such a FABULOUS sentence strip of hilarity! Oh, how lovely to be with your students and their learning today. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Playing with words is always fun!
LikeLike
Your post made me laugh out loud! Gotta love kids! The way you unfold this story is so perfect.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike