JOURNEY OF JOY

This morning I created a monster. I had been collecting toilet paper rolls ever since I arrived and decided this was the day to try a simple craft. I used water colors to paint vertical stripes in blue, green, orange, and yellow, on a demonstration roll, and showed it to the children as I put out brushes, paint, and cardboard. The kids actually worked well for about twenty minutes - then placed their creations on a back table to dry. At the end of class, everyone collected his or her own roll; then someone had the bright idea to use one as a megaphone. They all began a chant that sounded something like "ca-ca-cone," over and over and over again - and lemme tell ya - eight pre-school kids can make some noise. The children just older than mine were drawn to this din and joined their voices in the same chant. Now we had a real gaggle marching across the clearing chanting who knew what. It was really loud, and I was getting strange looks from the other teachers - and they weren't amused glances. There was the definite impression that I should get this mess under control. I quickly put my things in the house, while the children sat outside and continued to chant. There is an area by the front gate where I sit with the children while we wait for chapel to begin at 11:00. I couldn't get there fast enough. Feeling like the Pied Piper of Hamlin, I led my charges through the outdoor classroom area while the older students stopped playing soccer and stared as we went past. Once we sat down I suggested we might put the cylinders to our ears and listen - sshhh! That wasn't nearly as much fun, so someone decided to put the TP roll to an unsuspecting child's ear and shout - I was next. About this time I was wondering why I ever thought this was a good idea - when someone slipped a cylinder non her wrist - Bingo - arm bands! This quieted everyone for a while and gave me an idea. I'll cut the rolls next time and we'll make bracelets. Whew - the law of unintended consequences!