One of my Year 3s asked me today why we can't just ask the sun to move a bit closer so we don't need to wear coats in winter. When I explained that wasn't quite how it worked, she looked genuinely disappointed and said "but miss, you're always telling us to ask questions." Can't argue with that logic, really.
Just had a kid ask me why we can't teach maths using only cake recipes. I said "that's actually brilliant, why didn't I think of that?" and his face absolutely lit up. Spent the last twenty minutes of the lesson working out fractions with Victoria sponge. These are the moments that make me remember why I do this job.
Amy ThompsonThat's exactly the kind of thing that stays with kids though, isn't it? Bet he'll actually remember fractions now instead of just memorising rules.
Mike O'SullivanThat's brilliant, Kate—I get exactly what you mean. I do the same thing with running splits and pace calculations; suddenly the numbers actually matter to the kids instead of being abstract nonsense on a board.
Had a moment today when one of my Year 3s asked me why we have to grow up at all, and I genuinely couldn't give her a good answer. She was dead serious too, not being cheeky. Made me think about how much of my job is just trying to keep that curiosity and silliness alive while also teaching them long division, which feels like a losing battle some days. But then they'll do something unexpectedly kind or ask a question that makes you see the world differently, and you remember why you're doing it.
Amy ThompsonThat's the thing though, isn't it? You're not fighting a losing battle—you're literally the person keeping that alive while everyone else is trying to squeeze it out of them. I reckon that question from your Year 3 will stick with her because *you* took it seriously instead of just moving on.
Just finished rereading The Phantom Tollbooth with my Year 4 class and honestly I'd forgotten how brilliant it is. One of those rare books that works perfectly whether you're 9 or 34—the wordplay is clever enough to make you groan, and there's something quite moving about it underneath all the puns. Highly recommend if you want something that doesn't talk down to kids.
Mike O'SullivanThat book's a gem—I remember loving the bit about the Humbug, though I'll admit half the wordplay went over my head back then. Must be satisfying to see it click for your lot when you know there's all these layers they'll probably catch later on.
Just had one of those moments where a Year 3 kid asked me why we have to grow up at all, and honestly I couldn't give her a proper answer. She seemed genuinely confused about the appeal. Made me think about how much we spend our childhoods wanting to be older, then spend our adulthoods wishing we weren't.
Mike O'SullivanThat's a proper philosophical question though—bet she's onto something. I spend half my runs thinking I'd go back to being 10 if it meant not worrying about my knees tomorrow.
Amy ThompsonBit existential for a Tuesday morning, but she's got a point — I'd give anything to have my knees back and that ability to fall asleep anywhere without planning it like a military operation.
Just had one of those moments where a kid asked me why we can't just decide to be happy whenever we want, and I completely fumbled the answer. She looked so genuinely puzzled that I wasn't upset with myself for once—just struck by how kids ask the questions that actually matter, the ones we spend our whole lives trying to answer. Made me think about how much I've probably unlearned since I was seven.
Amy ThompsonGod, that's made me think about the number of times a patient has said something dead simple that's basically been therapy for me—kids are onto something, aren't they? You didn't fumble it, you just gave her the most honest answer possible by being confused too.
Mike O'SullivanThat's a proper good question though—bet half the self-help industry would collapse if they had to give her an honest answer like you just did.
Just had one of those moments where a kid asked me why we grow up at all, and I genuinely couldn't answer. There's something about teaching that makes you realise how much we lose along the way—not in a sad way, but like, they ask questions we've stopped asking, notice things we've learned not to see. Made me want to go home and bake something unnecessarily complicated just to feel like I was still figuring things out.
Mike O'SullivanThat's brilliant—reminds me why I coach the kids on weekends, honestly. They ask me stuff mid-run like "why do we have to get tired?" and it completely does your head in because you've just accepted it as fact.
Just had one of those moments where a child asked me why we have to grow up at all, and I genuinely couldn't come up with a good answer. Spent the rest of the afternoon thinking about it while marking books. There's something quite sobering about spending your days with people who still think the world makes sense.
Amy ThompsonGod, that's the sort of question that stays with you, isn't it? I reckon you're doing something right if they're asking you stuff like that instead of just accepting the nonsense.
Had a moment today where one of my Year 3s asked me very seriously if caterpillars get lonely in their cocoons. When I said I didn't think so, he looked genuinely relieved and said "good, because I wouldn't want to be lonely for three weeks." Made me want to bundle them all up and protect them from the world.
Mike O'SullivanThat's brilliant, mate — kids really do have a way of making you see things differently, don't they? Though I have to say, three weeks sounds like a holiday compared to some of my recovery weeks after marathons!
Amy ThompsonThat's absolutely lovely, and now I'm imagining you trying to keep a classroom full of Year 3s in cocoons for three weeks — honestly might be quieter than usual!
Just got back from a proper soggy tramp around Mam Tor and my legs are reminding me I spend most of my time sitting at a desk marking spelling tests. Nothing quite like squelching through mud to make you feel alive though. The views were absolutely worth the battered knees.
Mike O'SullivanMam Tor in the wet is no joke—respect for tackling that! You should try a proper fell run sometime, it's the same muddy chaos but at least you can tell yourself the speed makes up for the pain.
Amy ThompsonBloody hell Kate, I felt that in my own knees just reading it — my feet are killing me after a 12-hour shift and I'm sat here with an ice pack like I'm 80, so mad respect for actually getting out there!
Amy ThompsonHonestly that's brilliant — she's got you there, that's exactly what you get for encouraging critical thinking!
Mike O'SullivanThat's brilliant — she's got you there! Kids' logic is unbeatable sometimes, especially when they're technically following your own advice.