So, at work we do these things called running records. Essentially, this means that when we send a potential manuscript to teachers, when they read the books with the students they take notes of all the words the children say - what mistakes they make, which words they stumble on, and when they correct themselves.

anyway, today, i got a set of running records back for a book called "All By Myself." The first page of the book says, "I can brush my teeth all by myself," and next to the text is a picture of a child brushing his teeth. Most students got this one right - it was easy - lots of picture support.

but one student, Brandon, couldn't quite get the words and used hte picture and said, in all honesty, "I can stick a knife in my mouth."

out of the mouths of babes.