Before each activity, I go over safety rules with my students just to be safe. One particular morning, I had my first graders list the safety rules for me. I received a number of cute answers However, one of the quieter students raised his hand & said, "don't say the "L" word." At that moment my mind went blank because I couldn't think of the "L" word. Finally, it dawned on me, & I asked the small boy is the "L" word the opposite of winner? He smiled at me and nodded his head yes! Hearing this made me smile and feel good because teaching about sportsmanship may have finally paid off!