Cha Chi

1. The down side of knowing older siblings of your students: your students find out things about you. One of my students found out that when I was in high school some people called me "Cha", "Cha Cha", or "Cha Chi". Now my entire 5th period class only calls me "Cha Chi".


2. While we're on the topic of names, 0ne of my senior students and I share the same last name. Student: "So are you like his mom or something?"


3. Smart Board-1, Me-0 The Smart Board and I did not get along today. At one point I might have yelled "Darn you Smart Board!". Hopefully when my supervisor comes tomorrow the Smart Board and I can get along.


4. Things you don't learn in teacher school: how to outsmart the Smart Board.


5. In econ, we went over supply and demand graphing. When graphing supply and demand 'up' and 'down' do not exist, its only 'right' and 'left'. Once you get the hang of it, the whole graphing thing is pretty easy. Unless you're like me and still mix up your right and left. I don't know what my deal is. Even if I hold up my thumb and pointer finger to make an 'L', I still confuse myself. Let's just say this 'issue' led to several embarrassing moments in class today. Don't worry, my students were laughing with me not at me.


6. Now that my total student count (7th, freshmen, and seniors) has reached about 260, I really can't go in public anymore. They are everywhere!

Sorry about the numbering...it kept clumping it all into one big paragraph unless I numbered it.

Watch Out Steve Urkel

I think I took my nerdiness to a whole new level. In economics, we are starting supply and demand graphs tomorrow. Not only can it be a little boring (even though the nerd in me thinks it's kinda cool), but it can also be confusing. To make it a bit more fun and a little easier to understand, I re-wrote the chorus of the Cupid Shuffle to help my students out. I call it the Econ Shuffle and it goes a little something like this... To the right, to the right, to the right, to the right To the left, to the left, to the left, to the left Now shift, now shift, now shift, now shift Increase shifts to the right, decrease shifts to the left There is even a dance that goes with it. Supply and demand dance party in class tomorrow? I think yes!

I Love Abe

I hate it when the Smart Board outsmarts me. You know it was a solid day when discussion ends with Abe Lincoln in a Speedo. Student: "FDR. Who is that? (very confused look, then short pause)...Franklin Delano Roosevelt!" A bit of a split personality moment. Students had to answer some questions about being a president. One question was "What should the President look like?". Some favorite responses: -sexy -slightly balding -must wear a monocle -muscular but not in a gross way Student: "Why have we never had an attractive president?" Me: "How are your pants even staying up right now?" Student: "I just have a really nice butt."

Back In Action

Farewell Spring Break, you will be missed. The worst part of my day: waking up and figuring out what to wear. Yes, this is real life. This task is especially difficult for someone (like me) that already lacks dress-yourself-skills. If only I could throw on some sweatpants and a Bob Marley shirt and call it good. I've been at the high school for a week now. There have definitely been some adjustments. 1. Probably the hardest one is getting used to eating lunch at 1 instead of 11. What can I say? I like my food. 2. Being at school at 6:50 is way earlier than 7:50. An hour makes a huge difference. 3. Everyone is so tall. Here are some highlights: Student A: "I'm going down for the honor roll brunch." Student B: "How do you even get on the honor roll?" Second semester senior year...it might be a little late to figure out how to get on the honor roll. Firework Fridays. Every Friday during 4th period, a senior class, a couple of students started a tradition called Firework Fridays. Basically, at the end of class they throw a bunch of scraps of paper in the air and yell "Friday!". Its pretty entertaining and even better, they always clean up their mess. It makes them so happy! They have a Word of the Week and whichever team can properly use that word in a sentence gets points. This week's word: embezzle. The winning sentence: "I'm going to embezzle you to Mexico." I'll work on remembering good stories...that was all my little brain could handle for tonight.

First Day of School...Take 2

Today was the epitome of 'the other side'. I started my high school placement. But not just at any high school, the high school I graduated from. All day I couldn't help but think about the person I was the last time I walked these halls. Up until today, I didn't realize how much I changed and grew (not height wise unfortunately) the past 4 years.

Embarrassing Moment of the Day: getting my picture taken for my staff id. It's the picture that everyone dreads...the one where your eyes aren't quite open and you look like a cartoon character that just got hit on the head with a frying pan. I wish I would have known it was a one shot thing. I guess I'll just pretend I made that face on purpose...

Note to self: Don't make an assignment due on your last day of your first student teaching placement. You get yourself stuck grading that assignment on top of all the new planning and grading at your new placement. But on the bright side, returning the assignments is an excuse to go back and visit.

I must say, I sure lucked out and got some amazing placements for student teaching.

Every End Is A New Beginning

Today was my last day at the middle school. It was very bittersweet. On one hand I'm excited to go to the high school and start a new adventure, but on the other hand I'm really going to miss my 7th graders. It's amazing how fast you can get attached. I was only there for half a semester, but in that short time I really got to know these kids. They will always be "my first class".

My students are so thoughtful. I got so many wonderful cards, letters, and gifts today. I felt so special!
Some lovely notes from my students:
-"You're cool. Stay cool. Don't be a loser."
-"Don't get beat up or I will find you."
-"1, 4, 3 I la la la love you"
-"I will miss bothering you."
-"You don't look like you're 21. You look like you're 19 or 20."
-"Don't leave. There is going to be an awkward weirdness in social studies now."

A letter worth sharing:
"Dear Miss C,
I am going to miss you sooooo much! I do not want you to leave because then I will be very sad, and you do not want me to be sad, now do you?? Please find a job at _____. That would be WONDERFUL! You made this year so much more fun. I think you are going to live a great life because you are an awesome teacher. I wish that you can stay forever, but you can't...cry, cry :'( I hope to see you around, especially at a movie theater where I can scream "HI MISS C!" I think that would be really funny. I know I am not supposed to talk to you in public...wink, wink...but I still will, and I will scream your name super duper loud...wait is duper a word? You're the teacher, you should know! :) If you ever dream about cows making leather or if you ever see cows making leather, please tell me! I will be super happy if you do ever see cows making leather.* Also, if you ever see an octomom, tell me that too. Have fun teaching all those other kids, but always remember that we were your favorite group of kids! Good luck! I will miss you!
P.S I drew you a picture on the back"
The picture was me on a unicorn.
*See 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' post and this will make more sense.

Student: "I just learned what a kimono is! Basically its the original Snuggie."

Top 10 Reasons I Love My 7th Graders:
10. They tell it how it is.
9. Even when they really piss you off, they always find a way to make you laugh again.
8. They are kind and thoughtful.
7. If you push them, they are very insightful.
6. Prime time for awkwardness.
5. At the end of the day, they make it all worth it.
4. They laugh at my lame jokes.
3. They understand sarcasm and can give it right back.
2. They are genuinely enthusiastic.
1. They aren't afraid to pick their nose in class.

Overall, I absolutely loved working in a middle school. It's funny how your mind can change. Before I started student teaching, I was certain that I wanted to teach high school and was not looking forward to my middle school placement. 10 weeks later and I've fallen in love with teaching middle school. If I find a job as a middle school teacher, I would be thrilled!

Next week brings a lot of new. A new school, new students, and new adventures. I'm excited!

Can I Have Your Number? Can I have It?

Great MadTV skit, not as great in real life...more specifically, in real life while student teaching at a middle school. Tomorrow is my last day there and my cooperating teacher is going to bring in a poster for the students to sign.
Student: "Can I sign my name and put my number on it? And then you can call me?"
Me: "Umm definitely no."
Student: "I can't even write it?!"
Me: "I guess you can, but don't ever expect a call from me."
Later on with someone else...
Student: "It just feels like we've all become best friends! Can I have your number so I can text you?"
Me: "Not gonna happen."

My last class of the day was wired. They couldn't stop talking and kept getting off task. I had a little chat with them, but about 5 minutes later they were back to the same disruptive, annoying behavior. They pushed me past my patience. I stopped the lesson and had all of them write a paragraph about their behavior in class and how they are going to improve it for tomorrow. Some great responses I got...
-"I was a good little girl. I listened carefully and did not speak unless asked to. I may have dozed off a little but I did it quietly."
-"My behavior in class was ok. I was talking a little bit. Not as much as the naughty class though. Tomorrow I will just THINK about James Franco instead of talking about him."
-"I laughed during class because a piece of my pencil flew when it fell on the desk. Next time I will leave my pencil on the desk."
-"My behavior in class was good. I never talked much. I participated in class with my mind."
After reading their responses, I guess I'm a little less mad.

Tomorrow is my last day with these kiddos. I will definitely miss them!