Today is the one and only Singles Awareness Day...some people might know it as Valentine's Day. The day started off unlike any other. As I left my room, a dart from a dart board fell and stabbed me in the back. If that was Cupid, I have one word for him...rude.
Val-o-Grams were delivered today. Sadly I didn't get any, but I think I'll be ok. I did get a mini bouquet of pencils and heart suckers. As the Val-o-Grams got passes out (Mean Girls was all I could think of) some students were bummed that didn't get any. And then a moment that melted my heart...
Student: "I sent 10 Val-o-Grams."
Me: "Like to your friends?"
Student: "Nope, just to random people. I thought it would be a nice surprise for them."
Last night I made the mistake of deciding to completely change my lesson around 11:00. Not my brightest idea. Since I went to bed later than my bedtime, I decided today would be a perfect day to stop at Starbucks on my way to school. One of my students was there. Fast forward to at school...
Student: "I saw you at Starbucks this morning!"
Me: "And you didn't even say hi?!"
Student: "I don't want people to know I know you."
Me: "In that case, the next time I see you in public I'm going to yell your name really loud and run up and give you a high five so that way everyone knows we know each other."
Today's music trivia was Dude Looks Like a Lady by Aerosmith. My favorite guess was "Do Me Like a Lady". It was so hard not to laugh.
In each class, students are in teams. They can win and lose points for their teams for different things and the team with the most points at the end of the trimester wins homemade cupcakes. I had each team come up with a different name. Here are some of my favorite names they came up with:
-Team Octomom and Friends (one student's nick name is Octomom)
-Team Carlos (after the baby in the Hangover)
-Team Purple Squirrels
One bonus of state standardized testing is the sweet free bracelet they give to all the teachers. This year's bracelet says "Read It! Write It! Rock It!". The students get pretty jealous of it. When they ask why they don't get one, I just tell them the bracelets are for the cool kids.
I haven't had any Golden Nuggets lately, so here's one...216 people have died on Everest. 120 of those people are still on the mountain. So if you ever climb Everest, there is a good chance you'll see a frozen body.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
When Students Surprise You
Sometimes I can be a bit of a space cadet...maybe more than sometimes. Today was one of those days. On my drive to school, I actually remembered my sunglasses. When I put them on something seemed a little strange, but I figured it was just because I normally don't wear sunglasses so I just wasn't used to them. I got to school and as I reached for my bag, I saw a lens on the passenger's seat. Turns out, I drove all the way to school with one lens in my sunglasses. I don't know which is worse: driving with one lens or the fact that I never realized it until I parked.
In the front of the room are some cords that connect the projector, etc. Everyday I somehow manage to trip on them, even though I always know they are there. When I tripped today I was hoping that no one saw...I was wrong.
Student: "I saw that."
Me: "I don't know what you're talking about."
Student: "Miss C, you trip on those cords everyday!"
Me: "I know I know! I don't know what my deal is."
Student: "And they're covered in bright yellow tape!"
Tomorrow's goal: Don't trip on the cords covered in bright yellow tape.
I somehow managed to pull off my Expedition Everest lesson. Just for the record, it was a pain in the butt to plan. Students were put in teams and assigned a role. The game lasted 6 rounds and each round teams had to solve a challenge/problem. My favorite round was when we acclimatized. I made my students run in place for a minute and they were only allowed to breathe through a straw. My cooperating teacher wants a copy of it to use next year...I guess that's a sign it went ok.
One of my students almost made me cry today...but in a good way. This particular student is one of those kids. The one that you secretly wish won't show up to school that day. The one that haunts your dreams. The one that takes chunks of your sanity on a daily basis. Since being at this school, I haven't been able to make any connection with this student. No matter how hard I try, this student is always very short with me and seems to not want anything to do with me. It's a battle to get this student to do anything besides sit there and pick his nose. I haven't given up on this student and each day I give the student a blank slate, pushing aside whatever happened the day before.
Today was this student's first day back after being suspended. Today was also the day my supervisor came. Of course, my supervisor would come to class with that student. Needless to say, I was nervous. However, this student surprised me. For one, this student actually participated! Every time I called out for students' attention, this student got on the others about getting quiet. Once class was over, I sat down with my cooperating teacher and supervisor to discuss the lesson. My cooperating teacher shared this story of something the student told him:
"X and Y won't stop talking and listen! That man is here to rate her as a teacher. She's a great teacher and he needs to see that. But he can't if they don't stop talking and let her teach!"
I officially have a new favorite moment of student teaching and I'm so glad I never gave up on this student.
In the front of the room are some cords that connect the projector, etc. Everyday I somehow manage to trip on them, even though I always know they are there. When I tripped today I was hoping that no one saw...I was wrong.
Student: "I saw that."
Me: "I don't know what you're talking about."
Student: "Miss C, you trip on those cords everyday!"
Me: "I know I know! I don't know what my deal is."
Student: "And they're covered in bright yellow tape!"
Tomorrow's goal: Don't trip on the cords covered in bright yellow tape.
I somehow managed to pull off my Expedition Everest lesson. Just for the record, it was a pain in the butt to plan. Students were put in teams and assigned a role. The game lasted 6 rounds and each round teams had to solve a challenge/problem. My favorite round was when we acclimatized. I made my students run in place for a minute and they were only allowed to breathe through a straw. My cooperating teacher wants a copy of it to use next year...I guess that's a sign it went ok.
One of my students almost made me cry today...but in a good way. This particular student is one of those kids. The one that you secretly wish won't show up to school that day. The one that haunts your dreams. The one that takes chunks of your sanity on a daily basis. Since being at this school, I haven't been able to make any connection with this student. No matter how hard I try, this student is always very short with me and seems to not want anything to do with me. It's a battle to get this student to do anything besides sit there and pick his nose. I haven't given up on this student and each day I give the student a blank slate, pushing aside whatever happened the day before.
Today was this student's first day back after being suspended. Today was also the day my supervisor came. Of course, my supervisor would come to class with that student. Needless to say, I was nervous. However, this student surprised me. For one, this student actually participated! Every time I called out for students' attention, this student got on the others about getting quiet. Once class was over, I sat down with my cooperating teacher and supervisor to discuss the lesson. My cooperating teacher shared this story of something the student told him:
"X and Y won't stop talking and listen! That man is here to rate her as a teacher. She's a great teacher and he needs to see that. But he can't if they don't stop talking and let her teach!"
I officially have a new favorite moment of student teaching and I'm so glad I never gave up on this student.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
My supervisor is coming again tomorrow. This time he'll be in during a different class period so today I warned my students that he is coming.
Student: "Ok so do you want us to dress up?"
I was so tempted to say yes and see how many of them would actually do it, but I decided to be good.
Today a local cupcake shop brought in free cupcakes for the staff! What a great day.
For students, today was a half day. Once the crazies left, the staff was lucky enough to get to go to meetings! One meeting was about safety, more specifically about school shootings. Even though it is a scary topic, it's reality. The committee is working with the fire department to change the number of fire drills in order to increase the number of lock-down drills, since school shootings are more common than school fires. As the speaker put it, "We used to teach students what to do if they were on fire. Now we need to teach them what to do if they are under fire." In this particular community, school shootings are occurring about every 2.7 years. If that trend keeps up, we're only 1.7 years away from the next shooting. The speaker even mentioned that they started lock-down drills with 3-year olds at preschools so that way what to do in a shooting situation is ingrained in their heads. It's sad. How did we get to this point? But more importantly, how do we change it?
Student: "Ok so do you want us to dress up?"
I was so tempted to say yes and see how many of them would actually do it, but I decided to be good.
Today a local cupcake shop brought in free cupcakes for the staff! What a great day.
For students, today was a half day. Once the crazies left, the staff was lucky enough to get to go to meetings! One meeting was about safety, more specifically about school shootings. Even though it is a scary topic, it's reality. The committee is working with the fire department to change the number of fire drills in order to increase the number of lock-down drills, since school shootings are more common than school fires. As the speaker put it, "We used to teach students what to do if they were on fire. Now we need to teach them what to do if they are under fire." In this particular community, school shootings are occurring about every 2.7 years. If that trend keeps up, we're only 1.7 years away from the next shooting. The speaker even mentioned that they started lock-down drills with 3-year olds at preschools so that way what to do in a shooting situation is ingrained in their heads. It's sad. How did we get to this point? But more importantly, how do we change it?
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Making Oprah Proud
Back in the day when I used to watch Oprah, she always mentioned "Ah Ha! Moments." Today was the best Ah Ha Moment. I could see the light bulbs turn on. That's my nerdy teacher moment for the day. Its such a great feeling when your students get something and you watch it click with them.
If you give a student your email, they'll send you the weirdest messages.
-"Dear Miss C,
Do you have a Facebook? If you do, you should really add me."
-"You're great, you'll be a great teacher."
-"Hi. Is this your real email? And what does carthage mean?"
For Valentine's Day (or Singles Awareness Day), the school is selling Val-o-Grams.
Student: "I feel so special, I got a Val-o-Gram!"
Me: "Oooo, is it from someone you love?"
Student: "Well, I bought it for myself!"
Student: "Last night I came up with the best plan."
Me: "And what plan is it?"
Student: "You need to get a job at ____ High School so that way you can be our teacher again!"
I caught my first note passers today! Actually, it was pretty easy. The student stood up, with the note in hand, and started walking to another desk while saying, "This is not a note, this is not a note." Nice try buddy, but next time at least make an effort to be discreet.
I love middle school more and more each day. Maybe finding a job in a middle school is a bigger possibility.
If you give a student your email, they'll send you the weirdest messages.
-"Dear Miss C,
Do you have a Facebook? If you do, you should really add me."
-"You're great, you'll be a great teacher."
-"Hi. Is this your real email? And what does carthage mean?"
For Valentine's Day (or Singles Awareness Day), the school is selling Val-o-Grams.
Student: "I feel so special, I got a Val-o-Gram!"
Me: "Oooo, is it from someone you love?"
Student: "Well, I bought it for myself!"
Student: "Last night I came up with the best plan."
Me: "And what plan is it?"
Student: "You need to get a job at ____ High School so that way you can be our teacher again!"
I caught my first note passers today! Actually, it was pretty easy. The student stood up, with the note in hand, and started walking to another desk while saying, "This is not a note, this is not a note." Nice try buddy, but next time at least make an effort to be discreet.
I love middle school more and more each day. Maybe finding a job in a middle school is a bigger possibility.
Monday, February 7, 2011
A Slightly Boring Monday
Today I felt like I was at summer camp again. A pair of boy's boxers was left in the boys' bathroom and eventually made its way into the hallway. It's a little more disturbing in middle school than it is at summer camp.
Student: "You're cool, like the girl version of 50 Cent."
Student: "What gifts do you have for us today?"
Me: "I don't have any, I thought you guys were bringing me gifts today."
Student: "Ok, my gift to you is my face!"
Student: "Do I get anything for finishing?"
Me: "You mean finishing the work you were supposed to do?"
Student: "Yeah."
Me: "Umm...how about a high five?"
Student: "Ok!"
One student was saying the craziest, most ridiculous things.
Me: "You're killin' me!"
Student: "Oh are we playing movie trivia?! Don't tell me, I know this one...Daddy Day Care!"
This week we have testing. The state standardized test is in March, but this test is to predict how the school will score on the standardized test. A little ridiculous? I think so.
Someone came to the door, opened it, then closed it (they must have gone to the wrong room).
Student: "That was weird, no one is there."
Me: "Maybe it was a ghost."
Student: "Don't mess with me like that! I believe in that stuff and it freaks me out!"
Student: "You're cool, like the girl version of 50 Cent."
Student: "What gifts do you have for us today?"
Me: "I don't have any, I thought you guys were bringing me gifts today."
Student: "Ok, my gift to you is my face!"
Student: "Do I get anything for finishing?"
Me: "You mean finishing the work you were supposed to do?"
Student: "Yeah."
Me: "Umm...how about a high five?"
Student: "Ok!"
One student was saying the craziest, most ridiculous things.
Me: "You're killin' me!"
Student: "Oh are we playing movie trivia?! Don't tell me, I know this one...Daddy Day Care!"
This week we have testing. The state standardized test is in March, but this test is to predict how the school will score on the standardized test. A little ridiculous? I think so.
Someone came to the door, opened it, then closed it (they must have gone to the wrong room).
Student: "That was weird, no one is there."
Me: "Maybe it was a ghost."
Student: "Don't mess with me like that! I believe in that stuff and it freaks me out!"
Friday, February 4, 2011
TGIF
Turns out today was "Test Miss C's Patience Day". Unfortunately, I didn't get the memo until it was too late. My students got to see my extra mean side today. One class had to stay 3 minutes after the bell because that's how long it took them to get quiet...not ok. Another class lost in-class work time for next week's assignments. Lucky for them, its the weekend so I have a couple days to cool off. However, on Monday I will be having a nice chat with them.
Today was one of those days when I wish it was socially acceptable in the teaching world to yell "Sit down and shut the heck up!" (replace 'heck' with a different word).
On a brighter note, we took a Superbowl poll today and the majority of the team wants the Packers to win.
A moment that made me feel old:
Student: "The last time the Broncos won the Superbowl, we were only 2 years old."
One good thing that came out of today's frustrations was the awesome run I went on after school. And I still love my students, we just had a really off day.
Today was one of those days when I wish it was socially acceptable in the teaching world to yell "Sit down and shut the heck up!" (replace 'heck' with a different word).
On a brighter note, we took a Superbowl poll today and the majority of the team wants the Packers to win.
A moment that made me feel old:
Student: "The last time the Broncos won the Superbowl, we were only 2 years old."
One good thing that came out of today's frustrations was the awesome run I went on after school. And I still love my students, we just had a really off day.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Chickity China the Chinese Chicken, You Have a Drumstick and Your Brain Stops Tickin'
After two snow days...make that cold days (CO needs to toughen up), we went back to school today. I'm still trying to decide who it was harder for, the students or the teachers.
Today I started reading the rough drafts of their China essays. Some of the students definitely had their brains stop tickin'. One student wrote about Egypt...we've been talking about China for over a month! Luckily we have one more work day in class so there is still hope.
Student: "You remind me of Mrs. Frizzle, except you have normal clothes."
Student: "You are the funniest, weirdest teacher we've had in a long time."
I wasn't really sure how to respond to that but I think it was supposed to be a compliment.
A lady came in to class to deliver some fliers. After she left...
Student: "Who was that?! Ow ow!"
Student: "Dude, that was my mom!"
Things got awkward after that.
The other night I was talking to a friend about middle schoolers and how weird they can be. Then we talked about if we were that weird at that age. It got me thinking...if I'm this weird now, I can't imagine the weirdness added with hormones and the awkwardness of being a middle schooler. That is a time of my life I will conveniently block out. On the bright side, I still had friends.
Me: "Today is our latitude and longitude quiz!"
Student: "Dang it! You should have invited me to your latitude and longitude party!"
Today I started reading the rough drafts of their China essays. Some of the students definitely had their brains stop tickin'. One student wrote about Egypt...we've been talking about China for over a month! Luckily we have one more work day in class so there is still hope.
Student: "You remind me of Mrs. Frizzle, except you have normal clothes."
Student: "You are the funniest, weirdest teacher we've had in a long time."
I wasn't really sure how to respond to that but I think it was supposed to be a compliment.
A lady came in to class to deliver some fliers. After she left...
Student: "Who was that?! Ow ow!"
Student: "Dude, that was my mom!"
Things got awkward after that.
The other night I was talking to a friend about middle schoolers and how weird they can be. Then we talked about if we were that weird at that age. It got me thinking...if I'm this weird now, I can't imagine the weirdness added with hormones and the awkwardness of being a middle schooler. That is a time of my life I will conveniently block out. On the bright side, I still had friends.
Me: "Today is our latitude and longitude quiz!"
Student: "Dang it! You should have invited me to your latitude and longitude party!"
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