NEW Office Supplies

Kids love office supplies.  Not just any office supplies, but NEW office supplies.  If there are new pocket folders, spiral notebooks, crayons, markers, pens, Scotch Tape (TM), paint brushes, or even plain index cards.  Is it that they are wired to be drawn to these marvelous products? Or is it that they just want to be the FIRST to use something that is new so they can LORD over their peers with the power that comes with the knowledge that "I was first to use the _______."  I believe a strong case could be made for the later.  Further, I think we would have NO problem convincing any jury this side of the Mississippi River that it is so.

So, what has me thinking of office supplies and how they impact five year olds? I shoved a box of file folders on the top shelf out of reach of anyone younger than 18.  Anything above 3 feet is usually a safe bet for this, unless they can maneuver a chair to extend their reaching ability. 

A student who saw me stash the set of file folders asked me what I was doing.  I replied, "I am putting these "up"."  Putting things "up" has long been the polite way of saying, "I am putting these out of your reach because I want them for myself and/or I don't trust you to use them appropriately."

The student asked, "What are we going to use them for?"  Funny how he said, "WE"  What are WE going to use them for?  That is an endearing thing about five year olds.  They are sure to include themselves in anything that may have even the most remote possibility of them getting to be "in the know".

I replied, "I don't know yet. I will figure something out."

His reply?  "We never know what is going on around here with you," as he turned and walked back to work.

Maybe there is some truth to that.  Do these five year olds all feel like they don't know what is going on around here with me?  Do I project disorganization?  No Wait!  I know what it is...... I like to be in control.  The problem is when I have to resort to being mysterious with five year olds to experience this feeling~