WHAT'S the Conflict??

Honestly, there isn't a story to preface this photo. His answer for "conflict" didn't make any sense to me either. There is NO explanation for what you're about to see. Listen, I understand, at times, these may truly be a conflict for people in life, it just wasn't a conflict in the story he was reading. I don't know what else this word could be...

Punishments

I have a particularly special class for my last period of the day. They are FULL of personality &, at times, it's difficult to concentrate on academics because of distractions around the classroom. That's the nice way of saying it. ;)

I implemented a new "Bingo" system with this class that allowed each student the opportunity to earn stickers on their Bingo boards. If they had a full row by the end of the week, they were allowed to join the other "full row" students for some free time outside for the last 15 minutes of class on Friday. This has been working out very well for this class.

Before we decided on this "Bingo" idea, I wanted to get the students' feedback on what they thought might be going wrong in the classroom & what some solutions might be to create a more productive learning environment. After some interesting suggestions, I quickly realized there are some kids who LOVE to think of punishments. One student couldn't stop suggesting different punishments, which entailed embarrassing/humiliating students infront of the class (to teach them a lesson). One student who sits quietly under the radar most days in class, rolled his eyes & responded under his breath, "Man, he's on fire..."

Another student, after much thought, muttered loud enough for the people around him (& me, thank goodness) to hear him say, "You should just give us spankings." A friend of his next to him said, "SPANKINGS??" The student looked up & squealed, "Spankings. You don't get spankings?!" Ahh yes, folks. These are the children of our future... I love them & their way of thinking...

Inconveniently Late in the Year

Well, I'm disappointed to report that it's been more than a year since I've written my last post.

Last summer, I felt like God was encouraging me to make a move to another school, so it was bittersweet when I applied for a new job as an ELA teacher & was offered a position at Gorzycki Middle School, leaving my Kealing kids in 78702. The good news is, my Kealing kids still email me, so I still feel connected, & they are doing so well! Gorzycki has been such a positive change for me. I feel I have learned so much from my coteachers & admin about classroom management, teaching style, & expectations for student-centered learning. I have also learned so much from my 7th graders here at Gorzycki too.

Unfortunately, I haven't been dedicated to recording the ridiculous things they've said or done, & therefore have missed out on posting the classic stories on this blog. Knowing this, I want to make sure it doesn't continue very much longer. I have made a promise to myself to begin collecting the quotes, events, & stories about my awkward little teens on a weekly basis so I will be able to post these memories from my first few years at Gorzycki.

Here's to the witty nuggets that have made my first year at Gorzycki an unforgettable experience!

Valentine's Day

My students are amazing! On Valentine's Day I received a few really special gifts.
What would Valentine's Day be without a snuggly bear with 2 Fruit Rollups? Or a series of "I (heart) U" chocolate bars with a Sponge Bob Squarepants theme? ;)


















Not only are her complete sentences perfect, but she made this pen for me. You can't see it well, but she enscribed "Ms. Schwarzlose" in the design. It is so cute!!





2/16/12:
And last, but certainly not least, I was given a card first thing this morning from one of my 1st year students. I love the little details about this card. The heart on the right says, "Happy one (crossed out) TWO day after Valentine day."

Would You Rather...?

Every day for the past few weeks I have created a "Would you rather...?" question for my students to answer in their journals. It has been fun to hear their responses! Yesterday & today I had the students create their own "Would you rather...?" questions & I was not disappointed with what they came up with. Here are a few examples...

1. Would you rather live inside a whale with two people you hate or live in an open forest all by yourself?


2. Would you rather cut your hair & have to eat it or cut your nails & have to eat them?


3. Would you rather live in Antarctica or the Sahara Desert for one year?


4. Would you rather live in house taken over by roaches or spiders?


5. Would you rather live with the President of the United States of America in the White House or live with your favorite movie star?


6. Would you rather eat an animal raw in the desert because you are starving or eat the lunchroom food that is soooo bad?


7. Would you rather kiss a monkey or eat dog food?


8. Would you rather be homeschooled & have a prom or go to a regular school & not have a prom?

I answered "spiders" to #4 (asked by a Japanese student) & she said, "Even though spiders can hurt you (as she was pinching her own arm)??!!" I said, "Yes, because roaches are so dirty!!"

That's when her twin brother said, "Ms. Schwarzlose, would you rather live in a house taken over by roaches or CATS?" I answered "roaches" because at least I could still breath for that year!!