Over the past few days, many bloggers have been reading an older post, one of my favorites. Every day in the classroom is not always a good day. Humor to the rescue. I hope you enjoy reading this post as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Kate brought her mother’s beloved old book in to school this week. Miss Nelson is Missing is a classic. I love that book! My children loved it. Over the years I must have read it hundreds of times.
The story is about Miss Nelson, a kind teacher, and her unruly class. In exasperation she leaves school one day only to return the following day dressed in character as Viola Swamp. Hmmm…
Naomi, my assistant teacher, started to read the book to the children. I couldn’t wait to hear those words again. Now, it is important in this part of the story to tell you that Naomi is a saint. She has never-ending patience, kindness, and a deep understanding of children. She is the best teacher.
Wait! She sounds like Miss Nelson.
So, as Miss Nelson (aka Naomi) began to read, things went wrong. Really wrong. Perhaps remembering that the children have now outgrown “their nest” might have been a good idea. After all, when fledglings leave home to branch out into the world, things happen. Not always good things. Fighting and survival come to mind. And of course, when reading the story began, things happened.
Nobody could see. Yet, they were all in the front row.
Everyone complained of pushing and shoving. Gee, there was lots of space.
Children yelled at each other. Best friends. Hmmm…
Naomi – I mean Miss Nelson – was beside herself trying to read the story. It seemed hopeless. We needed Viola Swamp. We needed some humor.
Remember Viola Swamp? The teacher who took over for Miss Nelson? I called.
1-800-Viola Swamp.
I grabbed my cell phone mumbling loud enough for the children to hear that I needed to call Viola Swamp. The conversation went something like this:
“Hello. I’m calling for Viola Swamp. Is she there?”
You could have heard a pin drop. The children looked worried. I covered the phone with my hand and whispered, “She sounds grumpy.” Then I went back to the phone. I don’t know how complete silence can become even more silent, but it did.
“Is this Viola Swamp?”
Those fifteen gigantic saucer eyes were now ready for some humor. After all, laughter is the best medicine and can cure anything. We needed some curing, and Viola Swamp had been just the right fix.
I smiled. Big. Then Savannah asked, “Was that really her?” Parker said, “Of course not!” We all started to laugh. Even Naomi, the real Miss Nelson, belly laughed. Then, we sat down to read the book.
There are two more weeks of school to go, and children have grown. They’re ready to move on to their next journey. With humor and hugs, the next few weeks will be fun!
Viola Swamp told me so.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Always a fun favorite)
Yes!!
That’s a fun story, Jennie. Using humor to fix a bad day is the perfect approach. I’m glad you were able to pull it off.
Thanks, Dan!
I knew you would find a solution, and it was a cracker! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete! Best to you.
This is priceless! A perfect solution.
Thank you, Darlene. It worked! 🙂
What fun! When I taught ninth grade, I could have used Viola Swamp.
Haha! It was fun, and I completely understand. Teaching preschoolers or ninth graders? That’s a no brainer. 🙂
😀
Humor really is the best medicine. It’s missing in so many places but never in your classroom. 😉
Well said, Marlene. It really is. And, thank you.
Humor and imagation are the best seeds to grow great minds!
Absolutely!
That was touching.
Thank you, Pam.
I think Viola Swamp was my second grade teacher
Hahaha! Gee, she was my seventh grade teacher.
Ah. The pain is more recent for you then.
Yes! 😅
😁
Love it!
Thank you, Bette. One of my favorites!
My students and I always loved the Miss Nelson books. Why didn’t I think of this trick?!?
I know! It just popped into my head because the moment was awful.
All teachers have those moments, that’s for sure:)
Yup!
Haha! Would you please stop giving me reasons to like you even more as a teacher? Oh gosh, we could be related. Dialing Viola Swamp is EXACTLY the kind of thing I would do. If we weren’t laughing in my classroom, something was off because I LOVED having fun with my students. Go out and jump rope and get silly at recess—I was there. Dress up in some ridiculous costume like a box of tissue when we did school supplies—that was me!.
This is the first time I’ve seen this post. Of course, Miss Nelson is Missing was a standard opening week read in my second-grade class.
I love this!! Yes, we are two teacher peas in a pod. I have worn a pink tutu on my head, crawled down the hallway with children so we could sneak into the storage room to find ‘cool stuff’, and done flying angels with children on the playground (thank goodness for ibuprofen.) I wish I could have been your second grader when you read Miss Nelson is Missing. I’m so glad you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed calling Viola Swamp. Best to you, Pete.
So funny! School should be fun, and what’s a better example than a teacher being a kid again. We had something called Backwards Day at school. Most people did things like wearing their shirt backward, but I wore my tidy whities over my pants. No shame!😎
Well said, Pete. I call it being one with a child. You are a brave one with the tidy whities! 😂
Children are such sweet, innocent souls 😊❤️😍
Yes, they are!
who you gonna call? Miss Viola! (in homage to Ghostbusters). I agree that humor can often defuse a challenging situation, as can years of experience…
Haha! Love it! You are spot on, Jim.
👍
This post made me laugh too, Jennie. I hope you have a lovely new week.
I am so very glad this made you laugh, Robbie. Humor is the best medicine. Best to you, my friend.
Great solution Jennie and laughter is such a great state changer… another example of why you are the tops…hugs xxx
Laughter is the best medicine! Thank you for your kind words. That’s so nice, Sally
Pleasure Jennie..hugsx♥
P.S. Still waiting for the green light from the ‘higher-ups’ on my blog post for today. Hopefully by lunchtime!
I will check from time to time Jennie…♥
Finally got the go-ahead Monday evening and posted then.
Quick-thinking Jennie to the rescue. What fun!
It was, Norah! Thank you.
🙂
You are welcome!
Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
Thank you, Michael!
Well done, Jennie! You are the best, and you always have ideas for great entertainment. xx Michael
Thank you, Michael!
I love this. Laughter is the best medicine and imagination is amazing. Well Done, Jennie.
it really is! Thank you, Carla.