16 de septiembre

Today is the 200th anniversary of Mexico's independence from Spain!!! You better believe we celebrated in style...

The sombrero is filled with candy & the flamenco hat is filled with beaded necklaces.

These are my angelic Mexican students who are new to the United States & are eager to learn English. We laugh a lot & we are no strangers to the Spanish/English translator dictionary. ;)

These are 2 of my 8th graders. In fact, these were the same two who were sent out of my class 2 days ago because they were cussing at each other. It's so good to see them bonding over their heritage & I'm so glad they found this obvious common ground.

Eastside Pride (Not Really)

Every day as soon as my students enter the classroom, they get started on a "Do Now" assignment. It is usually a question that they must answer in at least 4 to 5 complete sentences.

One of my best students who I usually expect more work from was not on task & it was taking him forever to get started on his assignment.

I sternly reminded the students that they MUST write in complete sentences & gave them a couple of examples on how to begin their statements.

FN: Are we on the eastside?
Me: What? (because I thought I heard him wrong)
FN: Are we on the eastside?
Me: Yes.
FN: Then we don't have to write it proper.
Me: (GASP!)

He laughed because he thought he was being cute. He's not THAT cute where he can get away with making those comments.

Are you cutting your hair?

I had my back to the class as I was writing something on the whiteboard last week & when I turned around, I saw ES with scissors in her hand...cutting her bangs.

When I gasped & said, "What are you doing ... que haces?" She smiled & shrugged & said, "No me gusta mi cabello, es largo."

What?? You think it's too long?? Then get it cut outside of my classroom, by a professional (or even your mom), but don't do it yourself without even a mirror for reference. No es bueno. ;)

(Evidence above)

Can I go to the bathroom???

ELA class (I'm an inclusion teacher). 2nd period of the day. 40 minutes left of class. My student asks if he can go to the bathroom & I say no.

Why didn't I let him go? He didn't NEED to go, that's why. ;) My 2nd reason, which is even better, is that he hadn't done any of his work in class yet.

He asked again....& again & again. Sheez!

After 10 minutes of repeatedly asking me, I began a new tactic. Ignorning the child. It worked magically, for awhile. Maybe a minute or so. He then began "psst, Ms. S"ing me from across the room. Again, ignoring him.

At one point he asked me very quietly, "Ms. S, what if I pee in my pants?" To which I replied, "That'd be unfortunate & you wouldn't have very many friends today. Also, it would show you had no self-control." And I walked away.

Finally, after 20 minutes, he clicks in & realizes that class is going on & the ELA teacher had just asked a question: "What would a man need to build a house?"

The other students are calling out answers such as, "materials, nails, tools, hammer..."

My student says, with his head down, in a subtle voice..."a bathroom."

I died laughing & he looked up, surprised that I heard him, & began laughing out loud too.

Moral of the story: Teachers will dare you to pee your pants before they will let you go to the bathroom & miss their instruction. :)

...And We're Back for 2010-2011!

Let the games begin! These two signs sit right above my desk in my classroom. We will designate them as our "class motto" because they pretty much say it all. ;)

Don't worry...I have encouraging signs in my room too. One says "Every day is a gift" & it's hung just below the clock (ie, the most looked at object in the whole room). I thought this unique message would be appropriate to remind kids of as they were wondering how much longer they had to endure my class. :) I also have a giant dice with positive thinking words on it. I plan on rolling the dice in moments when the students are starting to get sassy or negative.

I am excited about this year. Today is off to a great start! The students I've seen that I had last year have gotten taller, the boys voices have gotten deeper & they seem to be excited to be back! Which is a blessing!

BEST quote from the 1st day of school: "Com'on, we're like faaamily!!"
(Outgoing 8th grader trying to convince a very shy student of why NOT to be nervous about speaking infront of the entire class of 15 students)