What DIDN'T You Just Say?

As a Kindergarten/First grade teacher there are a lot of things that I have to teach my students. I have to teach (and assess!)them everything that is in the Common Core Standards. But that only covers math and language arts. We have state standards for Science, Social studies and the like. We also have GLO's (General Learner Outcomes) which are the things we teach our students in order to make them better, more effective students and learners. And then you've got all that extra stuff you have to teach 'em so can test them on it just so you can turn in data. I guess so everyone else knows you are doing your job. But there is one other thing that I teach my students. It doesn't have a standard. It isn't on a report card. It doesn't receive a grade. And yet I believe it is the most timortant thing they need to know... On top of all of this I teach my students how to be a better PERSON. Weaved throughout the academic jungle of the day I attempt to teach my class manners and how to be an overall better liked person. The first and foremost way I do this is simply encouraging them to say "please" and "thank you". When kids ask, "Can I do this?" or "Can I have that?" I usually follow up with,"What do you say?" Today however was different. I had a lot of kids asking me if they could have or do something, and none of them were saying please. So, I decided, that if they weren't going to say please then I wasn't going to say anything at all :) Instead I just looked at them with a blank stare. Sometimes, most of the time actually, the long, silent pause got u comfortable. I think a lot of them thought that I was just thinking of what my reply to them was going to be. Eventually, when they didn't pick up on the hint I would lean forward a bit, give a little a smile, and raise my eyebrows as if to say,"and...?" Finally, they would get the hint and say, "Ms. Jennings, may I PLEASE _____________". And once again, the world is a better place :)