It's not hot at all..

We made Mayan Stew (squash, corn, peppers, beans) in the classroom to simulate the ancient Mayan food.  Although the ancient Mayans used chili peppers for spice, I didn't put it in the stew.  Instead, we had chili pepper hot sauce on the side.  I had some adventurous and proud kids in the room who tried the hot sauces.

Boy (with a beet red face and tears streaming down):  "I couldn't feel it at all!  It's not hot!"
Girl:  Gasp, choke, cough, "It's good!"  Gasp, choke, cough, "I want more of it!" Gasp, choke, cough, "Put it in my stew!"  Gasp, choke, cough.
Kids (running to the sink): "WATER!"

So I cried...

To celebrate Martin Luther King Day, our school held a Peace March where we walked around our neighborhood with signs.  I heard one of my students talking to a classmate, "I asked my dad to come but he said he couldn't."  She paused, "so I cried and now he will join us for the march!" 

Emotional blackmail works.

Passing it forward

Some students did not turn their homework.  As a result, I told them they had to make it up in the office while the rest of the class enjoyed a celebration (movie reward for filling up the marble jar with compliments on behavior).  When the first one came up to complain, I told him I already gave them four days to remember and it is not fair to those who turned it in on time.  I need the homework in my hands and I was not giving out any more time extensions.

The next one came up to complain.  This time the first complainer turn to the second and righteously preached "She already gave us four days to remember and it is not fair to those who turned it in on time!".