Candid Conversations

Besides my almost daily interactions with the "German" mother, I have conversations with my students. Recently I was talking to a student about Junie B. Jones books (which I love). We were looking at the titles of a few and came upon the book called Junie B. Jones and some Sneaky Peaky Spying. This student turned to me and said, "My dad is teaching me how to be a spy." My interest was peaked and I said, "What kinds of things does he teach you?" He told me about listening to people's conversations and peeking through windows. Then he said, "In order to be a good spy, sometimes you have to be really quiet when you peek in other people's houses." Very interesting. Do you ever wonder if you should report these things and to whom would you report it to? Then he popped up with, "You have to do that when you want to know if they are talking about you." OK. Good to know.

A couple days ago, a flock of students were gathered around my desk before school started. One said, "Last night a got a huge zit on my back. It really hurt. My mom had to pop it. It popped all over." Oh, thank you very much. That began a largely grotesque conversation about acne, its causes, and people with it. But, I did learn something new. Do you know what acne is called when its on your back? It's not called acne. It's called "backne." Good to know.

Is that German?

I just want to remember this story in case I decide to write a book.

I have a student that really struggles with reading. Her mom called in early during the year and asked what the problem might be. The conversation continued like this.

Mom: Do you think that she might struggle with reading because we only speak German at home?
Me: Ugh. Yeah. Maybe. Does she read in English?
Mom: Well, she tries. But she sees the word in English but translates it in her head and says it in German. Should we stop speaking German?
Me: No. I wouldn't recommend that. Children who speak two or more languages really have an advantage over other students. It can be a real asset. I wouldn't quit. However, she should read in English. That will help her in school.
Mom: Well, we are just going to stop. We won't do it anymore. I was a foreign exchange student in Germany and so I speak it fluently and so that is what we all speak at home. But, I think we will just stop.
Me: That is a decision you need to make. She just needs to read in English.

So, the next day, thinking that it is way cool that she speaks German, I have this conversation.

Me: I hear that you speak German.
Student: Umm. Yeah. I guess so.
Me: That's cool. Can you count to ten for me?
Student: Yeah. But I can only go to six. (Intersting since they "only speak German at home".)
Me: That's ok. Go ahead.
Student: Uno. Dos. Tres. Quatro. Cinco. Ses.
Me: That's Spanish.
Student: Oh!
Me: Can you say mom? Dad? Brother? Sister?
Student: No. No. No. I forgot.

So, I drop the whole conversation and chalk it up to a mother that might be a little unusual. And I'm a lot suspicious. A few minutes after school I get a call from the mom.

Mom: "Student" is telling me stories. She says that you asked her to speak German today.
Me: Yes. I thought it would be interesting to hear a different language. I often ask the Spanish speaking students to tell me words in their language. It is always fun to hear. The students like it too.
Mom: Well, I thought we agreed that "student" wouldn't speak German anymore.
Me: I said that was a decision you had to make. I didn't think that was a good idea.
Mom: What did you ask her to say?
Me: I asked her to count to 10.
Mom: What did she say?
Me: She said that she could only go to six.
Mom: What did she say?
Me: She said, "Uno. Dos. Tres. Quatro. Cinco. Ses."
Mom: (Long pause) That's Spanish.
Me: I know that's Spanish!
Mom: Isn't it amazing what they forget once they walk out the door.
Me: WHATEVER!!!!

Ok. Many other conversations involving German, asthma, and other things have gone on. Most of it I am highly suspect of. I wish I weren't. But, this was the beginning of a very unusual parenting situation. It may all be true. I highly doubt it.

Back at It

Ok. Today didn't start out so good. No heaters in the school - below zero outside. Burrrrrr inside. But, true to form, most of the kids didn't notice. Until, they tried to write. Then they realized their fingers were so cold that they couldn't hold a pencil. I declare that we will not write until the heaters are working. Got that Mr. Fix-it dudes. That'll show them.

I have one student that always asks, "Can I take a drink?" And, I, being the smart-alek that I usually am, say, "Take it where?" She never gets it. She just looks at me like I've gone crazy. Language barriers can provide some humor. Usually not, but sometimes.

Under Construction

I can't write anything because we are still out for vacation. Something good should happen next week. Come again.