Does it need a tourniquet?

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

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

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.