So there's this little boy who doesn't stand out too much in my class for positive reasons. He's behind grade-level academically, but he's generally pretty sweet. I steer him away from the "bad" kids so he isn't too influenced, but he has to work really, really hard to generate ideas, so everything I ask of him is pretty taxing.
He pops into my class this morning and I say, "Oh hey, y'all come on in."
He responds with a grin, "Oh, it's just me."
"Oh, just you? Did you take the lunch count? Ms. Dean must really think you're being responsible to take the lunch count. She really trusts you. Good work, buddy!" I like to be motivational, no matter what's going on.
"Yep, it's my first time to take the lunch count."
"So, you want to help me get the room ready, since they're late and you're on time?"
So he is helping me pass journals out, etc. and he sparks up a bit of a conversation. This isn't unusual per se, for kids to reveal things to me, but for this kid, he's been pretty quiet because my class is a little over his head and he just kinda lays low. It was the most I've heard out of him, for sure.
He speaks up, "I won't be here on Thursday."
"Oh yeah, why not? Got a doctor's appointment?"
He kind of looks down and says, "I'm going to Detroit (but say it DEE-troit) Michigan."
"All that way? On a plane and everything? What for?"
His words just kind of spilled out at this point- I could tell he'd heard a lot from his mom about this and he was putting it all together in his head. "My uncle's had a stroke. The whole family's got to go take care of him."
"Well, who's taking care of him now?"
"The hospital. And my grandma."
I looked at this little boy, and truly saw the face of an angel sent to tell me what I needed to hear. I said to him, "You know what, I'm going through something similar. I have a relative who's had a stroke too and we're trying to help her and take care of her."
"But it's going to be okay, Miss G. God will take care of everything."
That part, I'm pretty sure he wasn't reinterpretting from his mom. It came from a much greater source of power and greatness.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
rental car excitement
me: (pressing all the pretty new buttons in the shiny rental car.)
On Star Lady Voice: On Star, how may I be of assistance?
me: Oh, I was just trying to find how to work the radio. It had a star and I like stars and it said on, so I thought it turned the radio on.
On Star Lady Voice: No ma'm, this doesn't turn on the radio.
me: I'm sorry. It's a rental car and I don't know what all the buttons do.
On Star Lady: Well, do you need help?
me: No, not really.
On Star Lady: Well, do you need directions on how to get somewhere?
me: No, thank you, I actually know where I'm going today.
On Star Lady: Well that's good!
me: I don't know how to turn off this button I pressed.
On Star Lady: Don't worry, it will disconnect automatically. Have a good day.
yup. That's me in a rental car.
On Star Lady Voice: On Star, how may I be of assistance?
me: Oh, I was just trying to find how to work the radio. It had a star and I like stars and it said on, so I thought it turned the radio on.
On Star Lady Voice: No ma'm, this doesn't turn on the radio.
me: I'm sorry. It's a rental car and I don't know what all the buttons do.
On Star Lady: Well, do you need help?
me: No, not really.
On Star Lady: Well, do you need directions on how to get somewhere?
me: No, thank you, I actually know where I'm going today.
On Star Lady: Well that's good!
me: I don't know how to turn off this button I pressed.
On Star Lady: Don't worry, it will disconnect automatically. Have a good day.
yup. That's me in a rental car.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
full of win
Today is full of so much win.
It's Red-Ribbon-Week to celebrate drug-free lifestyle and awareness of things drug related. I guess. (My grandma Jane liked to point out how hard it was to NOT say Wed-Wibbon-Reak" when busting through some important elementary school announcements.) I just like reasons for us to do fun stuff that's slightly out of the ordinary. Today's theme was "Put a cap on drugs" or "Hats off to drugs"-- but that didn't make sense to me. Don't you take your hat off in deference to someone?
Kids were in all varieties of hats-- baseball caps, knit caps, fedoras, pimp hats (yes, with jaguar print and purple velour)-- my favorite was a Goofy one. One teacher even had this beautiful flapper-esque hat that was teal with feathers. So cute and fitting of her! They had to remind the kids to take off their hats during the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance. Come on, like these kids haven't been to a baseball game!
Anyway, I was wearing this awesome Sherlock Holmes hat. I told my colleagues that I would NOT be washing my hair, so the hat would stay on all day. I stayed true to my word. All throughout the day, I was greeted with, "Are you a detective?" "What's that guy's name? He's from Australia and solves crimes." "Are you a sleuth?" By the end of the day, I was Mrs. Sherlock Holmes. Interesting if you've seen the BBC show...don't think he's looking for a missus!
I contacted a friend from my mom's church whose husband works with Clayton County Police Department K9 unit couple weeks ago to see if we could get some real-life drug-enforcers to come and do some cool stuff for the kids. Because it was a training day...5 officers and 3 dogs were there for demonstrations about narcotics and bad-guy-busting. It was impressive. Since we had the kids on the black top on the playground, it was really awesome to see this huge German shepherd sprint off after the officer in a stuffed safety suit. (I've seen similar demonstrations in an enclosed space and it really scared me because the dogs are so big and so strong.) Nearly the entire school was out there-- over 500 kids. Captive audience though-- when you have a German shepherd jetting around.
Getting back to my classroom, 5th graders and I were discussing the differences between service dogs and pets. I wanted them to write some decent thank you notes or reflections about the week. I described how my dog knows lots of commands and routines, but I'd never be able to train her to attack me. I went through her list of commands and the kids stopped me at "Yoga dog." (It's really just bow, but when she started stretching like that, we called it "yoga dog-yoga dog!" in a high-pitched voice and she got it. So, I hopped onto my Ikea area rug and demonstrated what downward-facing dog is in yoga. The kids have an enlightening time in my class...lots of variety.
Also on the fun list of things I do in a day...I have a story book that is Halloween themed called "Shake Dem Halloween Bones." If you teach Elementary age or have small ones, this is a goodie. (My childhood story book favorite is Morris and Boris's Halloween. They wear funny costumes and Boris is terribly frustrated with explaining the finer points of Halloween to Morris. Along the same vein as Amelia Bedelia. Puns. How do you go wrong?) It has a little song that the kids can sing/rap along with you and rhymes that reference fairy tales and nursery rhymes. Thanks to Shrek and all the inherent parodies, kids know lots of obscure fairy tales that they didn't necessarily recognize before. Sing-rapping-bankhead-bouncing with 26 8-year-olds and then making symmetry-spider creatures from their fingers with googly eyes? So. Much. Win.
Slow-talking 3rd grader: Mizz Geeee, do you like arts and crafts?
Me: (interrupted)
Gifted kid: No, she doesn't like arts and crafts, she likes music. She just sang us a book.
Slow-talker: But we're always making creative things.
Me: Yes, I like arts and music. We should do them every day.
So, the other fun thing I like to do when I have time to kill with a station or an over-zealous kid who completes all required tasks: Make 8.5 by 14 hall posters announcing whatever's going on. So far, we've had ones for Hispanic Heritage and now Red Ribbon. Some of my favorite typos-to-be:
Red Riddon Week!
Hugs Not Dugs!
Drugs are for Lossers.
Oh yes. Thank goodness spelling doesn't count for much in this world.
The appreciation notes also had some insightful (or maybe inciteful) phrases:
...I hope you catch all the drug attics out there.
...I don't want to be a cop when I grow up, but you're doing a good job letting that dog bite your arm.
...Thanks for teaching our school about narcotics. We already new alot. (yikes!!)
...I am scared of dogs and that really showed me to stay out of the way if the police and a bad guy are there.
So...drugs are bad, mmkay? And kids are really full of win.
It's Red-Ribbon-Week to celebrate drug-free lifestyle and awareness of things drug related. I guess. (My grandma Jane liked to point out how hard it was to NOT say Wed-Wibbon-Reak" when busting through some important elementary school announcements.) I just like reasons for us to do fun stuff that's slightly out of the ordinary. Today's theme was "Put a cap on drugs" or "Hats off to drugs"-- but that didn't make sense to me. Don't you take your hat off in deference to someone?
Kids were in all varieties of hats-- baseball caps, knit caps, fedoras, pimp hats (yes, with jaguar print and purple velour)-- my favorite was a Goofy one. One teacher even had this beautiful flapper-esque hat that was teal with feathers. So cute and fitting of her! They had to remind the kids to take off their hats during the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance. Come on, like these kids haven't been to a baseball game!
Anyway, I was wearing this awesome Sherlock Holmes hat. I told my colleagues that I would NOT be washing my hair, so the hat would stay on all day. I stayed true to my word. All throughout the day, I was greeted with, "Are you a detective?" "What's that guy's name? He's from Australia and solves crimes." "Are you a sleuth?" By the end of the day, I was Mrs. Sherlock Holmes. Interesting if you've seen the BBC show...don't think he's looking for a missus!
I contacted a friend from my mom's church whose husband works with Clayton County Police Department K9 unit couple weeks ago to see if we could get some real-life drug-enforcers to come and do some cool stuff for the kids. Because it was a training day...5 officers and 3 dogs were there for demonstrations about narcotics and bad-guy-busting. It was impressive. Since we had the kids on the black top on the playground, it was really awesome to see this huge German shepherd sprint off after the officer in a stuffed safety suit. (I've seen similar demonstrations in an enclosed space and it really scared me because the dogs are so big and so strong.) Nearly the entire school was out there-- over 500 kids. Captive audience though-- when you have a German shepherd jetting around.
Getting back to my classroom, 5th graders and I were discussing the differences between service dogs and pets. I wanted them to write some decent thank you notes or reflections about the week. I described how my dog knows lots of commands and routines, but I'd never be able to train her to attack me. I went through her list of commands and the kids stopped me at "Yoga dog." (It's really just bow, but when she started stretching like that, we called it "yoga dog-yoga dog!" in a high-pitched voice and she got it. So, I hopped onto my Ikea area rug and demonstrated what downward-facing dog is in yoga. The kids have an enlightening time in my class...lots of variety.
Also on the fun list of things I do in a day...I have a story book that is Halloween themed called "Shake Dem Halloween Bones." If you teach Elementary age or have small ones, this is a goodie. (My childhood story book favorite is Morris and Boris's Halloween. They wear funny costumes and Boris is terribly frustrated with explaining the finer points of Halloween to Morris. Along the same vein as Amelia Bedelia. Puns. How do you go wrong?) It has a little song that the kids can sing/rap along with you and rhymes that reference fairy tales and nursery rhymes. Thanks to Shrek and all the inherent parodies, kids know lots of obscure fairy tales that they didn't necessarily recognize before. Sing-rapping-bankhead-bouncing with 26 8-year-olds and then making symmetry-spider creatures from their fingers with googly eyes? So. Much. Win.
Slow-talking 3rd grader: Mizz Geeee, do you like arts and crafts?
Me: (interrupted)
Gifted kid: No, she doesn't like arts and crafts, she likes music. She just sang us a book.
Slow-talker: But we're always making creative things.
Me: Yes, I like arts and music. We should do them every day.
So, the other fun thing I like to do when I have time to kill with a station or an over-zealous kid who completes all required tasks: Make 8.5 by 14 hall posters announcing whatever's going on. So far, we've had ones for Hispanic Heritage and now Red Ribbon. Some of my favorite typos-to-be:
Red Riddon Week!
Hugs Not Dugs!
Drugs are for Lossers.
Oh yes. Thank goodness spelling doesn't count for much in this world.
The appreciation notes also had some insightful (or maybe inciteful) phrases:
...I hope you catch all the drug attics out there.
...I don't want to be a cop when I grow up, but you're doing a good job letting that dog bite your arm.
...Thanks for teaching our school about narcotics. We already new alot. (yikes!!)
...I am scared of dogs and that really showed me to stay out of the way if the police and a bad guy are there.
So...drugs are bad, mmkay? And kids are really full of win.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
9-21-11, A Teacher's lessons from Troy Davis
On behalf of Georgians...I apologize, Troy. Our great state with its motto of Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation has been unwise, unjust, and has moderated your life for far too long...
In 2007, as a student at Agnes Scott, Amnesty International wrote letters to Troy and on behalf of Troy to members of Congress, State Board of Pardons and Parole, and the governor.
By Christmas, I found a letter in my on-campus mail box postmarked Jackson, GA. Troy had personally written me (and Agnes Amnesty) back. He spoke of hope. He spoke of justice. His penmanship is excellent.
In 2008, Troy's case was up. He was set to be executed unless clemency occurred. I taught high school and I both beamed and grimaced as my juniors pulled out cell phones to barage the Board of Pardons and Parole with phone calls. They waited on hold and left messages, they told their friends and families to call too.
That day, 16 and 17-year-old (babies!) signed their names to official typed letters too. These children tasted activism at an age not much younger than Troy when he felt the bonds of conviction.
It's 2011 and those 16 and 17 year olds have lived freely longer than Troy did. An Amnesty Candle's light has been snuffed out. Thousands have posted, protested, called, marched, tweeted-- gotten involved. Black, white, young, old: Troy, you united us.
Tonight, two mothers weep for lost sons. An activism lesson has been taught and an exercise in justice has been witnessed.
I only wish this were a lesson we needed to learn.
In 2007, as a student at Agnes Scott, Amnesty International wrote letters to Troy and on behalf of Troy to members of Congress, State Board of Pardons and Parole, and the governor.
By Christmas, I found a letter in my on-campus mail box postmarked Jackson, GA. Troy had personally written me (and Agnes Amnesty) back. He spoke of hope. He spoke of justice. His penmanship is excellent.
In 2008, Troy's case was up. He was set to be executed unless clemency occurred. I taught high school and I both beamed and grimaced as my juniors pulled out cell phones to barage the Board of Pardons and Parole with phone calls. They waited on hold and left messages, they told their friends and families to call too.
That day, 16 and 17-year-old (babies!) signed their names to official typed letters too. These children tasted activism at an age not much younger than Troy when he felt the bonds of conviction.
It's 2011 and those 16 and 17 year olds have lived freely longer than Troy did. An Amnesty Candle's light has been snuffed out. Thousands have posted, protested, called, marched, tweeted-- gotten involved. Black, white, young, old: Troy, you united us.
Tonight, two mothers weep for lost sons. An activism lesson has been taught and an exercise in justice has been witnessed.
I only wish this were a lesson we needed to learn.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
coolest 8 year old EVER
Alright, so it's been a while since I posted-- I'm not sure I would read this schlock, so I'll see. It seems like my bf gets tired of my rantings about work, so maybe this is a better venue.
That being said:
I have the unfortunate privilege of managing the students who are waiting on their parents to pick them up in their cars. It's quite the broken system as it takes FOREVER and a million parents are late, the kids can't hear their names on the radio to come outside, they can't see their cars because of where they're seated...and did I mention the fumes of cars idling? So good for children's lungs and the environment. There's an upside, because I don't have to stand outside in those fumes (for the time being).
So there's a kid, we'll call him Richard, and he's got a few issues upstairs. So he's sitting with his grade level and he's swinging his arms and talking to himself. One of the other teacher-monitors selected a few kids to walk around and police the other kids-- telling them to be quiet and listen for their names.
Two girls and a boy are given this coveted position, so I was just maintaining one little spot, watching the boy, we'll call him Alex--walking around and giving people the shh! sign.
Enter Richard's sister-- who worries over Richard a little bit, even though she doesn't bother to sit with him to actually make sure he's okay. Richard's sister, we'll call her ReAnna, is a little gangly and all elbows. She sees Alex telling Richard to be quiet, so she marches over to them.
(Keep in mind, I'm standing like a foot and a half away, watching this amazingness.)
Richard: bleah blah talking to self, making weird sounds, blah.
Alex: Shh, You gotta be quiet!
ReAnna: What are you saying to my brother?
Leave him alone!
You shouldn't mess with him!
Alex: I just told him to be quiet.
ReAnna: Leave him alone. He's my brother.
A teacher intervenes and tells Richard and ReAnna to go to their car outside. Alex turns to me with one eyebrow in the air and says, "Man, THAT was awkward."
Seriously. I only changed the names. That kid has the best sense of humor, EVER. If he was like 15 years older, I'd totally hang out with him.
That being said:
I have the unfortunate privilege of managing the students who are waiting on their parents to pick them up in their cars. It's quite the broken system as it takes FOREVER and a million parents are late, the kids can't hear their names on the radio to come outside, they can't see their cars because of where they're seated...and did I mention the fumes of cars idling? So good for children's lungs and the environment. There's an upside, because I don't have to stand outside in those fumes (for the time being).
So there's a kid, we'll call him Richard, and he's got a few issues upstairs. So he's sitting with his grade level and he's swinging his arms and talking to himself. One of the other teacher-monitors selected a few kids to walk around and police the other kids-- telling them to be quiet and listen for their names.
Two girls and a boy are given this coveted position, so I was just maintaining one little spot, watching the boy, we'll call him Alex--walking around and giving people the shh! sign.
Enter Richard's sister-- who worries over Richard a little bit, even though she doesn't bother to sit with him to actually make sure he's okay. Richard's sister, we'll call her ReAnna, is a little gangly and all elbows. She sees Alex telling Richard to be quiet, so she marches over to them.
(Keep in mind, I'm standing like a foot and a half away, watching this amazingness.)
Richard: bleah blah talking to self, making weird sounds, blah.
Alex: Shh, You gotta be quiet!
ReAnna: What are you saying to my brother?
Leave him alone!
You shouldn't mess with him!
Alex: I just told him to be quiet.
ReAnna: Leave him alone. He's my brother.
A teacher intervenes and tells Richard and ReAnna to go to their car outside. Alex turns to me with one eyebrow in the air and says, "Man, THAT was awkward."
Seriously. I only changed the names. That kid has the best sense of humor, EVER. If he was like 15 years older, I'd totally hang out with him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)