Saturday, December 4, 2010

The Toothpaste Experiment

The excitement in my class was contagious, as I announced to the class that we were going to do another one of my "crazy" experiments.  The students were bursting with glee, as I instructed them to sit "criss-cross applesauce" on the carpet in front of me.  There was a hush across the crowd of eager faces, as I proudly displayed my purple mystery bag (home to my best kept treasures).

I love to use object lessons in my class.  Lots of kids are visual and kinesthetic learners.  They truly benefit from the hands-on activities.  This lesson was unique.  I told the class that I had a special purpose in mind when I selected this experiment.  I really built it up in their minds because I wanted them to remember....

I selected 2 volunteers to help me, and then I pulled a tube of toothpaste out of my bag.  I asked student #1 to squeeze as much tooth paste as they could on to the plate that student #2 was holding.  The students were so pumped that I thought they were going to explode.  "Seriously?"  student #1 asked and the class began to roar with laughter.  He wasted no time emptying the tube and I thanked him for his assistance.  Then I asked another student to come up and instructed her to put all the toothpaste back into the tube.  I picked a bright, well-liked student, and she tried their best to scoop up the paste with her fingers and cram it back in the tube.  Unfortunately, she was not able to do it.  I encouraged her to try harder!  "You can do it!" I cheered.  The class joined in, but she couldn't seem to get even a little bit back in.  "Well, who else would like to try?"  I asked.  Hands began waving feverishly, as students tried to get my attention.

Several students came up to the front and worked tirelessly to get the toothpaste back into the tube.  I smiled, as things were transpiring just as I had hoped-a big sticky mess!.  Finally one student suggested that I do it because I was the teacher after all.  I explained to them that I couldn't do it either.  Someone else suggested that I should ask my dentist, which made me chuckle.  A bright little fellow piped up "Well, what's the lesson, how do we solve this problem?"

I began explaining how this toothpaste experiment relates to anti-bullying month.  I shared that the toothpaste is like our words.  Once we speak them, we can't take our words back.  Yes we can apologize, but our words are out there.  They can not be forgotten just like the toothpaste once squeezed out could not be squished back into the tube, no matter how hard they tried.  The light began to dawn and big grins replaced the puzzled looks.

I encouraged them to use positive, cheerful words with one another.  Words that were sweet like honey, refreshing and uplifting.  The kind of words that make others smile on the inside.  

Ephesisans 4:29 says "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29).  Another verse that comes to mind is I Thess 5:11 "therefore, encourage one another, just as in fact you are doing."



I explained that when we make mistakes and say things that we regret, especially when we are upset or angry, we can make things right by offering an apology.  I took a paper towel and scraped the tooth paste off the plate and shared how a sincere apology can help clean up the mess left by cruel, cutting words.

Kids can get physical, especially on the playground, but it is often the emotional bullying caused by name-calling or verbal exclusion that leaves the worst scars.  It's sad to say that even adults need to be reminded of the power of their words.  Cliques, gossip, and exclusion can be as destructive as a physical attack, especially for women. 

Proverbs 18:21 "The tongue has the power of life and death." Wow!  Our words do have an impact! 

In honour of anti-bullying month, try the toothpaste experiment.  I know it will have a lasting impact....