Mrs. Grant's Classroom

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses

2011-09-19T21:16:00.000-07:00

I've never heard so many excuses for homework not being done. Every day a plethora of children rattled off their reasons for not completing two minutes of math and fifteen minutes of reading. I listen, pull a very sorry face, say, "That's a bummer!", and then tell each child, one by one, to put their name on the board to stay in recess to complete that homework. (My fellow teacher talked to a parent at the end of school today who is going to file a complaint with the school district against her. Why? Because she made the student stay in to complete homework. Heaven forbid that someone should teach children about responsibility!) I've decided to write a few of the more memorable excuses.

1. "I couldn't write. I hurt my left thumb." "But you write with your right hand." "Oh!"
2. "I couldn't do my homework because my cat hid my homework folder." "Cat's don't hide folders." "Yah, but they hide things."
3. "My mom hid the folder with my math in it." "Why?" "Because she was punishing me for not doing the homework when she told me to." "When do you get your folder back?" "When my homework is finished. But, my homework is in the folder." (Later found out that was true.)
4. "I was at my grandma's house all night." "Why didn't you do your homework there?" "She doesn't have anything to write with." "Surely she has a pencil or pen." "Nope. When the police came with the search warrant they took EVERYTHING." "They wouldn't take a pencil." "Yes they do if they are looking for fingerprints."
5. "I couldn't read. It was too dark." "Why didn't you turn on a light?" "I couldn't." "Why?" "I was hiding because I was in trouble."

Oh I am so looking forward to tomorrow and more delightful excuses. This may be a VERY long year!

Welcome Class of 2011-2012

2011-09-06T20:25:00.000-07:00

A new year has begun - two weeks later than I ever remember. I was ready for those 27 (that's a lot) little kiddos. They will be interesting . That's all I've got to say about that today. I'm sure that I'll have more later.

One thing I do each year is let the students help develop the rules for the class. Wasn't prepared for their suggestions, all based upon past experiences. Rule #1: Don't bring lighters or matches to school. Rule #2: Don't spit loogies in people's faces. Rule #3: Don't put poop in your hand and throw it at the ceiling. Etc., etc., etc.

Yip. It's going to be a great year!

Unrealistic Views

2011-04-01T07:39:00.000-07:00

I think it is so funny how students view their teachers. I remember when I was a youngster and I thought my teachers were so old. Now I realize that those teachers who I thought were nearly dead back in the day are now only in their 80s. That means they were around my current age. That is weird. No wonder my students occasionally call me "Grandma".

The other thing I find funny is that students think teachers live, drink, and sleep teaching. I can't count how many times students have asked me if I have a whiteboard at home. Or, they nearly faint when they see me at the grocery store because I have left the school. One time a student asked me where I slept in the school, like I'm a firefighter at a firehouse.

Yesterday was the best example of the odd views that students have. We were talking about "Finding the Area of a Shape" in math. Second grade uses a very basic approach to this concept, mainly just introducing the vocabulary. But, as we were discussing, I mentioned that mathematicians have developed formulas and algorithms to make finding area easier. One person in the class asked, "What are mathematicians?" I answer, "Mathematicians are people, MUCH smarter than me, who make math easier for people." Oscar raised his hand and said, "Mrs. Grant. There are people smarter than you?" Oh, that is the sweetest thing. My heart swelled with pride and I was thinking what a good teacher I must be. Until Treyson shouted out, "Oh, yeah. There are LOTS of people smarter than her." Instant humbling.

Love those kids!!!

What are the Chances?

2011-03-01T18:23:00.000-08:00

For the last 25 minutes of every day I, along with two other people, teach a small reading intervention group - 6 special education children. (This has been an amazing eye-opening experience. I never realized the incredible struggles that these little kiddos have to deal with.) Anyways, Mr. Laha (short for a name that no one can pronounce) has been playing a word game to help build decoding skills. There are 300+ tiles, in two colors, that are turned over and then drawn at random. First you draw a yellow tile (the onset or beginning of a word) then you draw a green tile (the rime or ending of a word). If the two parts make a match then you get to keep it. The winner has the most tiles at the end.

Well, Mr. Laha had two children working with him. The first child drew two tiles - onset "wh" and rime "ore." Whore. Student: "Mr. Laha is this a word?" Mr. Laha: "Nope." (That's what you have to say. How can you explain the definition to a 2nd grader?) The second child drew two tiles - onset "sl" and rime "ut." Slut. Student: "Sss-lll-uuu-ttt. Slut. Is that a word?" Mr. Laha: "Nope." (Again one of those words that can't be defined to a 2nd grader with comfort.) The first child goes again - onset "f" and rime "art." Fart. Student: "Mr. Laha that is a word!" True. That's a word and a keeper.

Of the 300 tiles in the pile, what are the chances that those 6 would be drawn. Love these days!!

The Benefits

2011-01-04T18:46:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, just every once in a while, there is a small pay off for all the efforts you put in. If you'll remember, last year, I blogged several times about a child that tried my patience, made me want to quit, and exhausted me every single day (he has never missed a day of school). Well, the only thing that I truly was looking forward to this year was watching his 3rd grade teacher tear her hair out and look at me with awe as she wondered how I survived. Well, that isn't happening. Yesterday, while I was on recess duty (and it was a whopping 3 degrees), the student came up to me and said, "Mrs. Grant, I'm not having any trouble this year." I told him that it was because he was such a good student and I knew he could do it. Then he said, "Do you know why I'm so good this year?" I just smiled and shrugged my shoulders. He smiled backed and said, "It's because you were such a good teacher for me last year." Then he asked if he could stand by me the whole recess. Who could refuse that? The child that I couldn't stand and caused my stomach to churn spent the entire recess chatting with me. It was delightful!!!

That's a benefit of my job.

Family History

2010-09-27T20:34:00.000-07:00

The kids in school are always telling me who they are related to. Up in these parts there are many trees that don't branch far. Those are my favorite stories. "I'm my own grandpa. I'm my own grandpa. It sounds funny I know, but it really is so. I'm my own grandpa." Many students will be able to sing that song.

Today I had a cute, and less disturbing, geneology lesson.

Student: Mrs. Grant. Pocahontas was my Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Grandma.
Me: That's nice.
Student: That makes me 50% Indian and 50% Pilgrim. She married a Pilgrim, you know.
Me: Indeed, indeed!

HAHAHAHA. I really love 2nd Graders.

Have Holes - Will Fill

2010-09-09T21:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, my Language Arts Class built "Puff Mobiles." These are "vehicles" that are built using a specific number of items. They are totally created by the imagination and skill of the builder. One of the items used was a straw. Some of the students used only a portion of their straws and so little bits dropped to the floor. In the clean-up process not all these pieces were thrown away. Which brings me to part 2 of my story.

In the afternoon, my match class was about to take their first "Math Fact Test." You would think that the students were taking the ACT or LSAT. They were so nervous about this. (Even though they were the +1 and +0 facts. How scary can that be?) As we were just about to start, one of my students begins to plug one nostril and blow air AND snot out the other nostril. He continues doing this at a rapid fire rate. Then he raises his hand and says, "Mrs. Grant. My nose hurts." In my most ~~disgusted~~ sympathetic voice I said, "Do you think you need a tissue?" He just looked at me.

Well, that was enough of a lull in the test taking process that now about 10 students need their pencils sharpened. I head back to the sharpener and have "The Nose" come with me. As he walks to the back of the room he says, "I have a straw stuck up my nose." blow blow blow blow blow

"You've gotta be kidding me!" I said right out loud. I told him that I would help him as soon as I got the students started on their tests. He smiled and continues to blow. Then he touched his nose and said, "I can feel it clear up here." That straw was way up there. That's when I realized this was a job for a pair of tweezers and not my tweezers. He would be visiting the Principal.

Three more pencils to go and we would be off to visit "the boss," as he is referred to by my students. "The Nose" grabs a new tissue and scrunches up his face, closes his eyes, and blows harder than he has ever blown before. Out shoots an inch long portion of a straw and plenty of boogers. Suddenly, "The Nose" says, "Hey it doesn't hurt anymore. Is it out?" To this a little girl that had been standing in the pencil line looks up at him and runs her left hand down her right arm and said, "YES," as she wiped all that snot away.

"The Nose" smiled and skipped back to his seat while the little girl and I got some soap, water, and anti-bacterial gel.

Awww! Never a dull moment in 2nd grade.

That's Absolutely WRONG!!!

2010-09-01T20:50:00.000-07:00

After last year I was ready for a calm and easy 180 days. The first four days seemed quite blissful - 23 sweet, smiling, and happy children. They smile and raise their hands and play kindly with each other. What could be better? Adding one more adorably cute little girl. She came on Friday, just to see her teacher and find her room. She'd begin on Monday. Poor little thing. Her mom had just died and now she had just moved in with her dad and grandmother, leaving behind her friends and a little brother who was off to live with his father. How sad is that? But, within time, she would heal. A few hugs and smiles and kind words and she would be okay. Right?

Well, no! Life is never that easy. Her mother hadn't just died. While she was out playing in the yard, her mother had decided this life was too hard and her only solution was to end it. When my student came into the house, her mom was missing. Thinking that she was playing, she began a game of Hide and Seek. She found her hanging in a closet. "I tried to wake her up. She was always joking and playing with me. But, this time she wasn't. She wouldn't wake up." That's the conversation we had on our first day together when she asked if anyone else in her class had lost their mom. What do you say to that? How can I help heal those wounds?

Her range of emotions has been exhausting and quite overwhelming! She cries then glares. She sobs and then lashes out at anyone near her. She ties her shoes together and then blames it on friends that aren't there. She sticks her head inside her backpack as if she is hiding from reality. She stares at a picture of her mom all day long or places it on the floor and tries to squash it under her shoe. It is all totally unpredictable.

So, everyday, I wonder what she will be like. Will she be willing to do any work today? Will she cry? Will she scream? Or will she be just like all the other girls? No. She will never be like the other girls. And, what do I do to help that sweet girl?

Never expected this!

First Week of School

2010-08-25T13:59:00.000-07:00

Here are just a couple of the funny things that have been said this week.

1. I was trying to help a student get to the right bus.

     Mrs. Grant: Where do you live?
     Student: I don't know.
     M.G.: What do you live by?
     Student: You know that house with the fence?
     M.G.:   Maybe.
     Student: I don't live by it.

2. Each student has a homework sheet that is signed each night by the parents.

     Student: Mrs. Grant my dad can't write so well.
     M.G.: Oh that's okay. Parents are always so busy that they have to write really fast.
     Student: Well, my dad writes sloppy because his legs don't work.

Funny kids!!!!

Important Safety Rules

2010-05-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

Each May, the EMTs from our county come to visit the 2nd graders. They talk about safety rules for cars, bikes, scooters, four-wheelers, and water. They used to give out bikes, helmets, bells, etc. but with the budget cutbacks that hasn't happened for the last two years. This year the the students did get coloring books and a little pack of crayons.

The EMTs ask the students to draw safety pictures (that no one even looked at). The safety rules could be anything of their choosing, as long as it was something to help you stay away from danger. The usuals were there like "Wear your safety belt" or "Wear a helmet." But two of them caught our attention. A bit unusual but still important were the rules of "Always hold on to the saddle" and "Don't hit the old man."

Consider yourself warned!

Three New Stories

2010-02-23T12:22:00.000-08:00

I don't know, but maybe you won't even find these funny if you aren't in school everyday and aren't looking for some humor among the chaos. I, however, thought these were worthy of remembering (and my book, when I am retired). By the way, none of these happened in my classroom but they all did happen at my school.

1. The teacher was teaching singular possessive nouns and put a sentence on the board. The students were to decide where the possessive nouns was and then fix the sentence. The sentence read, "The soccer teams game was called off." One astute student raises his hand and says, "That's not the name of the soccer team. They are called the Cougars." hahahahaha

2. The P.E. teacher had put up with one older student always making fun of the other students when they couldn't catch the ball. Or the boy would throw the ball in a manner that the ball couldn't be caught and then he would ridicule the student that had missed it. So, the P.E. teacher decided to teach this "bully" a lesson. He threw the ball to the boy so that he couldn't catch it. Sure enough he missed it, but it did smack him right in the face. The P.E. teacher felt horrible and ran up to the boy. Immediately the boy checks his teeth and then says, "I could make a lot of money here." The P.E. teacher says, "Awe, suing is just for people who are mean," thinking that maybe this wasn't a very good lesson after all. The boy looked at him, quite inquisitively, and said, "What? Haven't you ever heard of the Tooth Fairy?" hahahahahaha

3. The first grade has been talking about Dr. Seuss, since his birthday is on March 2nd. One of the classes has read "There's a Wocket in My Pocket" several times. So, a little girl decided to bring her "wocket" to school with her. Her "wocket" was a little white mouse, stuffed up her sleeve. She probably could have kept it there all day without anyone noticing if she just hadn't gotten hungry. She got off the bus and headed to breakfast. As she tried to eat her sausage biscuit the little mouse decided he wanted some too and crawled out of her sleeve to get a bite. Quickly she pushed him back into the hiding place. Once again he came out for a little nibble. But, this time one of the teachers just happened to walk by and spy him. Carefully (I would have screamed and jumped up on the nearest table, which would do no good because she was sitting at the table and the mouse wasn't on the floor. So what good would it have done to be on a table?) this very kind teacher cradled the mouse in her hands (bluck, bluck, bluck - gagging sounds) and walked to the office where they so kindly placed it in an empty kleenex box with some soft cotton to keep it comfy until mom could come. Unfortunately, mom was not going to come because she couldn't be reached.

So, here was our poor secretary with a mouse in a kleenex box beside her all day. When night came the mouse was still here. Some wise person said to put it inside a tall plastic container so that it could not escape. Good thing because there were a lot of little mouse droppings in the container when the office personnel returned in this morning.

A couple new students came to register for school today. They were so excited to see that our school had a "School Pet" that they can't wait to come back tomorrow. Hopefully it will be gone by then.

Attendance Issues

2010-02-02T18:16:00.001-08:00

Seriously, if you've got a kid, you've gotta be smart enough to know that sending them to school is the best thing for them. In fact, if you aren't going to send them to school, or REALLY home-school them, then don't have kids. If you can't get out of bed in the morning to send them to school, and expect your 7 year old it do it themselves, then you shouldn't have brought that sweet child into your life. (I hope that hasn't offended anyone.) Be a parent for heaven's sake.

Ok, that's what I've wanted to tell some parents. Attendance can be such an issue at schools. Our funding is based upon attendance. Also, my worth as a teacher is based upon the students progress in school. If the students don't come, I can't teach, and hence, those parents aren't only messing with their kid's life, they are messing with mine. AND I DON'T LIKE IT!!!! In our school district there is a 10 absence policy per semester. If the student is absent more than that they are to be referred to the Magistrate Judge for truancy. Now, if their is a health problem, or a huge two week vacation on a cruise to Alaska and Hawaii (which has happened) that is one thing. But, if it is just because the parent couldn't get up, then that really ticks me off.

One student in my class had missed 13 days last semester. He didn't ever have the swine flu but his sister did have the stomach flu and an older sister broke a wrist. Why that kept him home I don't know. Our new semester started last week (7 days ago). And so far, he has missed 5 days. Why? His parent's checked him out early last Monday (last week) and he didn't come back until Thursday. Why? Well, they ran out of gas in Idaho Falls. Grandpa couldn't bring them gas until Tuesday night. So, the family got a hotel room (remember they couldn't buy gas) and spent the night. They got home at 9:30 Tuesday night. That was too late to wake him up at 7:30 for school the next day. Instead, he woke up at 7:45 to watch cartoons all day. This week, he has surgery on Wednesday and hasn't been able to come to school Monday or Tuesday. But, he has been outside playing in the snow each day. I know. I got the report from other students in my class and I drove by their house and saw with my own eyes.

This is just a funny (and sad) story. Our secretary calls the homes of all the absent students. Yesterday she called the home of a 3rd grade boy. His mom answered and said, "We are all sick. Everyone in the family has a fever and is still in bed. Could you please send home his homework? And, could you also send home ____'s (2nd grade sister) homework? She is really not feeling good." Then Martha said, "But, (sister) is here." Mom, "What? She's there?" This was about two hours after school has started. The teacher checked for a fever and she did have a whoppin' 99 degree fever. So, the teacher sent her home and I saw her pedaling her little bike back down the road. Come on. It had been two hours and you weren't missing your 7 year old.

Okay. I feel a lot better after having spouted all that out. Whew! This blog is good for my health.

A Bit Too Honest

2009-10-23T21:26:00.000-07:00

Today our music teacher came into my classroom to explain that one of her beaver puppets had been taken during music time yesterday. She didn't know if it was my class and was talking to all the classes. She politely and kindly told the kids how disappointed she was in it being lost, how the game was ruined without it, and if they had any information to let her know or the teacher. Before she could leave the room this conversation happened.

Student: (who shall remain nameless although he has been mentioned in most of the entries from this year and I suspect will continue, all year, to find his antics written about) I didn't take it, you know. Last year I had a bad habit. I was a stealer. I stole a lot of stuff last year. But, I've given up that habit. I haven't stolen anything this year .... at least not anything of importance.

Music Teacher: (because I had turned around and was laughing hysterically, yet silently) Well, [student] you shouldn't steal at all.

Student: I know that is why I have given up that habit. But, I bet someone else has stolen my bad habit and is now a stealer. Yep, I bet that is what happened.

My guess? That beaver puppet didn't look so important and is now at [student's] home, tucked under his bed until it will be dragged out and consumed by the family dog. Poor Mr. Beaver.

Of Mice and Boys

2009-10-15T21:16:00.000-07:00

A couple days ago a dear friend of mine blogged about her son putting on boots that had been in the garage. He wore them for about 45 minutes when they were removed and a dead, rotting mouse was discovered in the inside. What made him take them off after 45 minutes? The maggots crawling around his toes. UGHHHH! But, seriously, can you let that story just remain on the screen without sharing it? NO WAY! I had to share it with my class. 2nd Graders love a good disgusting tale every once in a while, especially during the Halloween season. That led to this discussion that I thought just as great.

Student: "Mrs. Grant, we thought we had one mouse in our fridge once."

Me: (caught by surprise) "In the fridge? You mean like the refrigerator?"

Student: (as serious as can be) "Yes, in the fridge." He gestured with his head as he spoke those words.

Me: "UGGHH" "GASP"

Student: "But, when my dad moved a whole bunch of stuff around in the fridge we didn't have one. We had four mice in the fridge."

Me: (nearly vomiting the pineapple upside down yogurt I'd eaten for lunch) "Did you eat them?"

Student: "Well, no. We threw them away."

Just one of those things you gotta remember. His mother would die if she knew he had told me. That makes the story even better.

The Big Return

2009-10-11T19:32:00.000-07:00

Going back to school after Potato Harvest is so much harder than starting the year. All the excitement of the new year is over. I already know what I'm facing and what problems have to be dealt with. But, I have to reteach all the class management stuff. I hate that. Why can the students remember the unimportant things like when free-time is, and signing up for lunch, and what time school ends, but they can't remember to raise their hands or don't talk when someone else is talking? I find that interesting.

It has been a good two weeks and I've been working on psyching myself up to meet "the student." I was already for him. I decided that I can deal with him for seven hours a day. I'll be okay. Then what happened? He had to go and move into my subdivision. I can't let him know I live here. Now I won't be able to go outside until June - when school ends. I hope he hates "'Trick or Treating!"

Wah wah wah!!

2009-08-29T08:06:00.000-07:00

My first full week can be summed up in one word - respect (or the lack of it). Where has the respect gone. My classroom rules are three: Respect yourself; Respect others; Respect the school. But, so may children don't know what that word means. In my room I have one such student. He and I are going to be miserable all year long if something doesn't change. He needs to learn "R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Find out what it means to me" (thanks Aretha) and I've got to start enjoying his presence. How is this going to happen? When is this going to happen? Who knows! Stay tuned. I'm sure I'll be blogging lots. I can't keep this all boiled up inside. As Junie B. Jones says, "My brains will squish out." Thank goodness for this blog.

P.S. My Kindergarten teacher friend is expelling three students next week. THEY ARE IN KINDERGARTEN!!! What is happening?

The First Day

2009-08-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

So, no matter how long I stayed awake and tried to avoid it, the first day arrived. Despite my nerves and jitters, I tried to look smart, and authoritative, and MEAN. I even tried to convince the students that I was the "meanest teacher in the school." They just laughed at me. We handled the first day pretty well. Only two students fell asleep. One student fell asleep while putting his head down during recess for failure to follow the rules. (It was the first day, for heaven's sake, and he was in for his 2nd recess of the day.) When the students came back in we just let him sleep - it was MUCH quieter then and I was actually able to get a word in.

No one could have anticipated the chaos that occurred after school. I'm still trying to figure out why 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders can't remember what bus they rode on all last year, who their bus driver was/is, or their address (a landmark would be helpful). They have lived at the same location for years. Why can't they remember? Once we got all the older students on the bus then the real chaos began. All the Kindergartners, who have NEVER ridden a bus, and the 1st graders arrive from their temporary school on the bus. They hop off those buses at our school and then had to find a new bus that will take them to the junior high where they will hop off this middle bus only to find the final bus that will deliver them, hopefully, to their homes. You've got to be kidding me! A 5 year old cannot find one bus, let alone 3 buses. That situation must be remedied SOON!!!!

The first day is always crazy. I'm waiting for tomorrow and counting on it being better.

A New Beginning

2009-08-19T18:47:00.000-07:00

So, where did Summer go? It seems we just got out but tomorrow, for some reason, we are starting again. Today I spent hours staring at a blank lesson plan book and wondering what I was going to fill it with. I can't seem to remember what to do on the first day. What do I teach? What do the little whipper snappers look like? Are my tables too high? Are the chairs too big? Should I have gone with desks instead of tables? Can they reach the top cubby? How do I make the rules of my classroom, of which there are only three, sound exciting and pleasing? Are they going to cry? Will it feel like the nursery at church when they are all crying and wanting their moms? Do 2nd graders cry? Why can't I remember the answer to all these questions.

I guess it comes down to this: I'm just as nervous for the first day of school as the students. I found a great book called First Day Jitters that talks about a person's first day at school and how she doesn't want to get out of bed, or get dress, or eat breakfast, or brush her teeth, or hurry to the car. At the end of the book the reader discovers that the story has been about the teacher. I feel that way this year. I'll share that with them. Whew! 10 minutes down. 390 minutes to fill. I'm in big trouble. Wish me luck!

School's Out for Summer

2009-06-03T20:40:00.000-07:00

There are two feelings when school is out. Everyone feels them both - joy and sadness. As the end of the year approaches the students voice their opinions of school more loudly and more often. They hate school. They don't want to come to school. They never want to go to school again. I've heard this for several weeks. Of course, my feelings are close to the same. I hate dragging the students to do their work. I hate issuing all the tests that have to be done. And I don't necessarily want to come to school anymore either.

But, on the last day of school, everything changes. The student who told me he hated me yesterday won't stop holding my hand today. The students who hated 2nd grade last week, never want to leave and ask if they can stay in 2nd grade for one more year. And all those kids who didn't want to wake up for school today ask if they can come tomorrow - even though there isn't any school.

As a teacher I worry about all those students through the summer. Will there be someone to give them a hug everyday and tell them how great they are? Is there someone to push them when the going gets tough? Is there someone to pick them up when they fall? Will someone be there to fix them lunch? But, I have to let them go. That's my job. I love them all - even the one that caused migraines. Boy the end is tough.

Picket Line

2009-03-22T21:38:00.000-07:00

Thursday I had to take a pen away from a student. He had been playing with it all day and when I finally took it away from him he was furious. First he cried for a few minutes, then he pouted, and finally he glared. If this had been my first year teaching I probably would have returned the pen to him. Not now, man. I'm a hard-hearted veteran. When he wouldn't work I told him that he not only wouldn't get his pen back but he would also get a 0% on his tests. Instead of getting to work he wrote on the back of the paper, in cute bold letters, "Geve me back my pen and then I'll work." He held the sign up in the air so that it faced me wherever I went in the room. I walked casually back to him, pointed to the word "geve" and said, "Please correct that word." He did and proceeded to picket. I proceeded to give him a 0% and still have his pen in my "June" box - it holds all confiscated toys until the last day of school.

Lesson: Don't mess with the teacher - she's got the upper hand.

Put It to Me Gently

2009-03-16T18:57:00.000-07:00

I've always assumed that the students in my class think that I'm old. This year's students were born in 2000 and 2001. That's a different decade than my own children were born. Weird! Today, though, a student broke it to me so gently. I was kneeling next her while she was reading. As she turned her page she turned her head to look at me and then said, "Mrs. Grant, someone stuck a gray hair in your head." How rude! Whoever did that shoud feel terrible. TEE HEE

Boogers, Anyone?

2009-03-11T19:27:00.000-07:00

When I started teaching, a few years ago, I felt that our lunch should be called "brunch" because we ate so early - 11:05. Each year the second grade has been pushed later and later until we now go to lunch at 11:35. That is fairly reasonable, considering that on Fridays the kids go home at 1:15 and can eat there. But, for my kids, lunch might as well be tomorrow. They have a real hard time waiting that long. During first recess they are always telling me how hungry they are. I always tell them something like, "We just had breakfast," or "Lunch will be here in one hour," or "Work hard and you'll forget about your hunger pangs." Just a side note here, for too many of the kids, lunch is the first meal they get, if not their only meal, of the day. So, when Andy (name has been changed to protect the innocent) said that he was hungry I gave him one of my usual responses. I had no idea how hungry he was. I soon found out.

Andy is in my small guided reading group. As we began reading he began picking, and I'm not talking about picking his favorite book. I tried to ignore it for a while but I couldn't. Since he was sitting next to me I gently reached over and pulled his arm down. Within seconds the finger found its way back up to that nose. This time I quietly leaned over and whispered, "Stop picking your nose, please." He quickly pulled out. But, again, he went back to the action. This time, less quietly and less kindly, because I find it disgusting and I'm sick of all the germs, I said, "Keep your finger out of your nose. It is gross!" He put his book down, looked me in the eye and said as matter-of-factly (is that a word?) as he could, "Mrs. Grant, I'm hungry." Eat away, I guess. I may have to find a filling, yet cheap, snack tomorrow.

Does it need a tourniquet?

2009-02-26T18:27:00.000-08:00

Our school has had a rash of terrible injuries as of late. Well, at least terrible in the eyes of grade school kids they seem terrible. These injuries include bruised egos when trying to show off to friends; small bumps while walking in the hall; life-threatening hang nails; and paper cuts. I guess winter has been around too long and the kids can't think of anything else to do but worry about these injuries. It's a good thing that our secretary has an abundant supply of bandages and patience. She is amazing. I, however, do not have either. My motto is, "If it ain't spurting blood, don't ask for a bandage." Ok, that is a little harsh and I'm kinder than that.

Today, however, the first-aid kit was stolen from the office. So, when Jaden exclaimed in a panicked voice, "My thumb is bleedin', " I took a quick look and declared it ok. I didn't have a bandage to fix it with anyway. Seriously it was a meer flesh wound that wasn't even bleeding. Yes, a small bit of skin had been removed somehow but it wasn't bleeding. I then said, "When you begin to feel faint from loss of blood, let me know." I continued. Jaden got up, got a tissue, sat down, held his thumb, and worried. Finally, in exasperation he cried (without being called on), "There's no blood left in my thumb." What? There hasn't even been a drop yet. So I asked this poor concerned boy, "How do you know?" His reply, "There's no more blue lines in it!" I took him aside and we had a little talk about blood vessels, small cuts, etc. He felt better after that and it was quickly forgotten. HEALED!!!!

A Spelling Miracle

2009-02-01T17:50:00.001-08:00

Misspelled words drive me crazy. Now, I can understand simple typing errors but that is about the limit of my tolerance. I teach spelling. I try to teach rules that will help kids to think through the sounds in a word and made logical guesses. That is what the English language requires - logical guesses. The rules continually change. I take that into account as I help these sweet kids. I begin to get frustrated when the same words keep appearing in spelling lists and the students continually spell them incorrectly.

A case in point is the word "they." Students learn it in 1st grade and review it at least every other week in 2nd grade. We even have a little song about it - "There is no A in they. There is no A in they. Just write the then add y. It's as easy as huckleberry pie. There is no A in they." But still, it doesn't come out right.

A couple years ago I had a student that stuggled with many words including "they." But, he loved the Pittsburg Steelers. And his favorite player? Of course, Ben Roethlisberger. His journal was filled with bits of Steeler news. His spelling was pretty bad, all except Roethlisberger. It was always correct.

I guess you spell what is important to you. And if you find any spelling errors-mere typing mistakes.

Candid Conversations

2009-01-22T18:53:00.000-08:00

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?

2009-01-06T21:18:00.001-08:00

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

2009-01-05T21:27:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-01T22:16:00.000-08:00

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