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A Comedy of Errors…On Purpose

I just got back from Sage International School in Boise after having made a presentation that was a comedy of errors…on purpose, for two second grade classes.  Normally I would consider myself wiped out after spending that kind of time with so many second graders, but I’m not.  I’m invigorated!

Context
Before I continue, this story needs context.  These two classes have been spending time learning about social responsibility, and taking responsibility for their own actions.  I was asked to make a presentation about responsibility, and if that sounds boring, particularly to a group of 7 year old students, then you’d be right.  I couldn’t just roll in to talk, then expect a good reaction.  I had to step up my game.

Taking Responsibility
When you make a mistake, you need to own the mistake, offer a genuine apology, then try to rectify the problem the best you can.  That is less than a five minute conversation.  I added an object lesson for the class: ice cream Sunday’s for the kids.  I brought ingredients with me to make a treat for the class: vanilla ice cream, bacon bits, canned corn, spaghetti, and ground coffee.  It was awful!  As I’m putting these ingredients together of course the kids are giving the expected comments like “That’s gross!”, “Nasty!” and the so on, and so on.  I also planned a few kids asking if they could have some, but I wasn’t ready for the number of kids who thought it would be great to try!  Note to self, gross food for adults may turn out to be just what a kid would want to eat.

Making Things Right,
As I was building the concoction, I “realized” that I had the wrong ingredients.  The best way to rectify the situation was to have something to replace the “botched” treat for the kids.  I of course had enough ice cream cups for each student to help celebrate the work they have been doing in class.  I offered a heart felt apology, and closed with a discussion on what they learned from me about taking responsibility.  Mission accomplished.

It Really Wasn’t That Gross
I of course had to eat some of what I had built, purely for the reaction.  Now, I would not recommend eating ice cream, bacon, coffee grounds, spaghetti, and corn at the same time.  It was however, not that bad.  Think about it, bacon is now officially good on everything.  The spaghetti has no real flavor, but the texture is something new for me when mixed with ice cream.  Coffee goes good with ice cream, and the corn was kind of sweet.  Sadly it won’t be making an appearance on our cafe or catering menus, but I drove the point home.  The teachers were happy with the lesson, and the kids were all hopped up on sugar as I was walking out the door.  Just the way I like it.  My one regret is not having had a picture to post along with this as the visual was worth it’s weight in gold.