RD: I don't want to watch your video. (project)
G: Why don't you?
RD: I just don't.
G: Well, then I won't watch yours.
RD: You already watched it yesterday.
G: I did not commit it to memory.
Other things G doesn't commit to memory: Homework. Lunch Money. Remembering Glasses everyday.
9/29/08
9/22/08
That's One Way To Do It
A student comes up to me holding a pink, slobbery, partially chewed piece of candy. (Starburst, if you need a visual). He has a grimace, clear sign of pain across his brow.
In his partially chewed piece of candy, there was his tooth. One of the big ones.
Gross.
In his partially chewed piece of candy, there was his tooth. One of the big ones.
Gross.
9/18/08
Trouble in Paradise
I have two students in my room who are totally the fourth grade versions of the Odd Couple. Except, of course, neither of them is neat.
They do everything together. They co-write, co-read, walk in the halls together, support eachother, etc. The other day one of them was having a bad day, an "I-don't-have-any-friends" kind of bad day, and the other chimed in with "I'm your friend!!!" with a good ol' pat on the back. AND they sit at the Peanut Free table at lunch, by themselves, even though they aren't allergic to peanuts.
Well, today a huge hill appeared... and their relationship went down it. I overheard one say to the other "You're a bad friend." and then a "But I don't know what I did wrong, you have to tell me." and then "You should know what you did."
One of the friends spent the entire lunch period by himself at the Peanut Free table... the lone island of their former friendship... and cried the whole 30 minutes. And then cried the whole way out to recess.
I later found a note... I couldn't make out the whole thing, but it was the start of an acrostic poem:
N
O
T
C
O
O
L
I hope that in the morning we will be back to normal, and the relationship will be back on track. I will keep you posted.
They do everything together. They co-write, co-read, walk in the halls together, support eachother, etc. The other day one of them was having a bad day, an "I-don't-have-any-friends" kind of bad day, and the other chimed in with "I'm your friend!!!" with a good ol' pat on the back. AND they sit at the Peanut Free table at lunch, by themselves, even though they aren't allergic to peanuts.
Well, today a huge hill appeared... and their relationship went down it. I overheard one say to the other "You're a bad friend." and then a "But I don't know what I did wrong, you have to tell me." and then "You should know what you did."
One of the friends spent the entire lunch period by himself at the Peanut Free table... the lone island of their former friendship... and cried the whole 30 minutes. And then cried the whole way out to recess.
I later found a note... I couldn't make out the whole thing, but it was the start of an acrostic poem:
N
O
T
C
O
O
L
I hope that in the morning we will be back to normal, and the relationship will be back on track. I will keep you posted.
9/16/08
Food and Shelter
This weekend I went to the bookstore to spend my $20 giftcard I received as a thanks for a small inconvenience.
I was in search of something, anything, that could rope in my "I don't want to read" readers. I have a few of them. I combed through student-aged "how-to" books, books about cars, buildings, candy... Nothing seemed just right for any of my little darlings.
My poor husband was trailing behind me as I wound my way around the entire store. (In all fairness, I did suggest he get a beverage from the bookstore bar before we began).
Finally, I found something. I situated myself in front of the magazine rack and picked out 6 magazines for various readers. They looked cool... The language varied enough to hit a wide range of readers, and I thought the topics would look interesting to the readers.
I brought the magazine stack in on Monday and unveiled it to the class. I showed them the awesome pictures and an article in each one that I thought was really interesting. I was excited, I showed enthusiasm (which was completely genuine - these mags were right on!)
It worked... they looked so psyched and the magazines have been a hot comodity ever since, well, yesterday. Some students have even removed the ordering slip from them in hopes of asking their parents to get it for them. One girl even said - "That's all it costs for a year? I can earn that money!" Hooray for them.
Right after I gave my Read These Cool Mags talk, I asked if there were any questions. Beyond the drooling and GimmeGimme looks, I saw a lone hand. Rain Dancer. This was going to be good.
RD: Why did you waste your money on us?
Me: Waste? I love these magazines and I wanted to share them with you all!
RD: You should spend your money on Food and Shelter.
Good point. I can see someone is ready for the economics lessons.
I was in search of something, anything, that could rope in my "I don't want to read" readers. I have a few of them. I combed through student-aged "how-to" books, books about cars, buildings, candy... Nothing seemed just right for any of my little darlings.
My poor husband was trailing behind me as I wound my way around the entire store. (In all fairness, I did suggest he get a beverage from the bookstore bar before we began).
Finally, I found something. I situated myself in front of the magazine rack and picked out 6 magazines for various readers. They looked cool... The language varied enough to hit a wide range of readers, and I thought the topics would look interesting to the readers.
I brought the magazine stack in on Monday and unveiled it to the class. I showed them the awesome pictures and an article in each one that I thought was really interesting. I was excited, I showed enthusiasm (which was completely genuine - these mags were right on!)
It worked... they looked so psyched and the magazines have been a hot comodity ever since, well, yesterday. Some students have even removed the ordering slip from them in hopes of asking their parents to get it for them. One girl even said - "That's all it costs for a year? I can earn that money!" Hooray for them.
Right after I gave my Read These Cool Mags talk, I asked if there were any questions. Beyond the drooling and GimmeGimme looks, I saw a lone hand. Rain Dancer. This was going to be good.
RD: Why did you waste your money on us?
Me: Waste? I love these magazines and I wanted to share them with you all!
RD: You should spend your money on Food and Shelter.
Good point. I can see someone is ready for the economics lessons.
9/15/08
Classroom Management
Today. Oh, today.
Today I had to whip out the "Take a Break" talk.
Is it true irony if I was interrupted by shout outs during a talk about shouting out?
I knew I needed it, it's true. It was confirmed today, after my talk, when I was approached by Rain Dancer. He handed me a list and simply said "Here they are."
"What's this?" I said, scanning the list of names.
"It's a list. A list of students who were talking."
"Talking? When?" (Knowing, that in my classroom, I channel Organized Chaos and it's usually a loud productive mess).
"Talking too loudly. Talking when you were talking. Some of them were whispering, but I got 'em. I wrote them down."
We need noise-cancelling headphones, and stat.
Today I had to whip out the "Take a Break" talk.
Is it true irony if I was interrupted by shout outs during a talk about shouting out?
I knew I needed it, it's true. It was confirmed today, after my talk, when I was approached by Rain Dancer. He handed me a list and simply said "Here they are."
"What's this?" I said, scanning the list of names.
"It's a list. A list of students who were talking."
"Talking? When?" (Knowing, that in my classroom, I channel Organized Chaos and it's usually a loud productive mess).
"Talking too loudly. Talking when you were talking. Some of them were whispering, but I got 'em. I wrote them down."
We need noise-cancelling headphones, and stat.
9/14/08
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