Bad hair day?

As the ESL teacher, I have a few different roles on campus. One is to be an inclusion teacher in some of the different classes so I can monitor my ESL students. I go into their math class, for example, & make sure they are using their resources to break down language barriers or to encourage them to raise their hand & participate in their other classes.

Needless to say, I have the privilege of getting to know all the students at Kealing (not just my own). :)

Yesterday I walked into Ms. Lee's math class, just like I do everyday, & I hadn't been in there for 10 seconds before a student sitting behind me whispered, "Ms. S?" I didn't turn around immediately because the teacher was giving instruction. The student whispered again, this time sounding concerned, "Ms. S?"

I turned around to a worried look on the child's face, and he asked, "You havin' a bad hair day or somethin'?"

"Nope, just threw it up on my head in the hallway on the way here, but thanks."

I can't blame him. He was genuinely concerned (or was he?) & it made me laugh. The good news is, his shock proves that I don't wear my hair like this to work very often.

They Know Me Well...

I gave my students an assignment to help them better understand the "elements of fiction." To better define "elements" (or parts), I began an activity where the class pretended it was my birthday. The students had to plan a party for me & they had to think about all of the different "elements" of the party: invitations, decorations, food, games, guest list, presents, Blue Bell icecream, etc. :)

A new student asked, "Ms. S, what kind of presents would you want for your birthday?" I simply replied, "I'm not sure. More Blue Bell at the party?"

Angelica, one of my newcomers last year who didn't speak English when she first arrived, softly said, "She wants a cat," then giggled as she sat there & waited for my reaction. ;)

I loved everything about that moment. My students know things about me. Important things, like, I hate cats. Well played, Angelica. Well played.

Kealing Idol!!

I'm sorry I'm just now getting this blog published, but it's well worth the wait. :)

For the past 4 years, Kealing's AVID program has hosted Kealing Idol. Our version of a cross between America's Got Talent & American Idol. Imagine the possibilities!!

Well, the students are not the only performers, that's for sure. Every year, the teachers surprise the students with a performance at the end of the show. My first year at Kealing in May 2010, we did a LIVE performance of "Thriller" by Michael Jackson. It was truly awe-inspiring. ;) We dressed up in torn, dirty clothing, with white & green makeup on our faces, & hair all nastified, in order to resemble zombies. We did not disappoint as we creeped, crawled, & slowly dragged our way into our positions to begin dancing on stage. The students were screaming & pointing...we were so proud of ourselves. Unfortunately, not a single person got a video of that performance. :*(

BUT, I do have the most recent Kealing Idol's teacher performance to show you from May 2011. This time we showed a "pre-made" video at the show. You've probably seen the Evolution of Dance videos on YouTube, but if you haven't, they are very entertaining.

Well, we made our own, just for the students...

KEALING IDOL EVOLUTION OF DANCE!


"Yours truly" is the first performer on the video. I have another appearance later in the video. Trust me, ya can't miss it! ;)

For further enjoyment, here are a couple of Kealing Idol performances from the students in past years. I love this school...
Kealing Idol 2008
Kealing Idol 2010 (Marchelle was the winner that year & she is an AVID student!! Yea!!)