Two of my second-grade students were having free time today. They are very different kids: one is shy, OCD-ish, and very sensitive, and the other is hyperactive, inattentive and brash. Somehow, though, when left to amuse themselves for ten minutes, they found common ground discussing Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and, of course, their penises.

Yup.

I came out of my semi-cubicle to find Shy Guy singing softly, "penis, penis, penis" with a smirk on his face, as if to see what I might say about it. Hey, I don't have a problem with that word, and I told him so, but asked him to stop because kindergartners would be coming into the room momentarily. "Penis, penis, penis," he sang again, making Active Boy giggle.

"Okay guys, really, that's a fine word, but it's a word to use outside the LRC. I really don't think kindergarten kids need to hear it." They giggled, but they stopped.

Little Miss Thing came in, leading her next group of kindergarten kids. She looked at me and realized I was a little bit amused. "What's up?" she asked.

"Oh, these guys were talking about their p-e-n-i-ses and I asked them to stop so that the K kids didn't have to listen to it."

"Hey, we could spell it - kindergartners don't know how to spell!" exclaimed Active Boy.

I countered with, "You'd be surprised what kindergartners know. Let's not even spell that word."

Active Boy looked at Shy Guy and says (in unwitting but perfect imitation of Joe Piscopo saying "You from Jersey? I'm from Jersey!"), "I love my p-e-n-i-s. Do you love your p-e-n-i-s?" To which Shy Guy replied, "I love my p-e-n-i-s!" Giggles from them both, then further attempts to spell penis which were unsuccessful because, well, there's a reason they come to the Learning Resource Center, and spelling is one of them.

They gave it up and started wrestling over a sharp pencil instead. Oh, the vigilance I must maintain. Oh the joy.

(It was a really sweet interaction. I'm glad they felt comfortable and didn't take it too far.)