In all of my P.E. classes, my students are expected to walk to their exercise spots, sit down (criss-cross applesauce, criss-cross hot sauce, or criss-cross I’m the boss, and hands in your lap) and be quiet. The class after lunch, the first graders sat down. I had my grade book open taking roll, I heard students stirring and saying “Oooooo gross, yuck, etc.” It was bit disruptive to me. I looked around and one student was going to town licking the bottom of his gym shoe.

I asked, “Why are you licking your shoe?”

He replied with his small innocent voice, “I stepped on a french fry at lunch.”

I replied, “I like french fries, too. Shoes and fries are a different taste without ketchup. Next time wipe your shoe with a tissue.” The child, just gave me the biggest smile, and I winked back.

One could have heard a pin drop in the gymnasium.

– D. Michele in Illinois