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!!

A Special Meal

I assigned a writing prompt at the beginning of class:
If you were making a special meal for someone, what would you cook & why?

In my 3rd period class, all the students are Mexican, so naturally, they all start talking about their favorite Mexican food dishes.

To challenge them, I said, "What if you were to do something that wasn't Mexican?"

One student immediately responded, "OOOKAAAY, I would throw up (short pause)...because I'm not used to it."

Far From Home

My heart broke yesterday when one of my students came to me after school.

She asked me earlier in the day if I'd be here after school because she wanted to talk to me. CC is a beginner English speaker who came to the U.S. a few years ago for about a year, then returned to Mexico. She came back in August 2011 & it has been so fun to teach her & get to know her. She is somewhat quiet if she doesn't know you & has the sweetest nature about her.

She came into my room right after school & said, "Miss, I can't stay today, will you be here tomorrow?" I told her yes, but then I asked her what she needed to talk about. She hesitated & didn't want to start the conversation. I kept asking & told her just to tell me what it was about & that we would talk more about it later.

Finally, after a minute or so of fidgeting & thinking (I'm sure trying to translate the words in her head, mixed with "I don't know if I want to start this now..."), her eyes filled up with tears & she said, "I miss my mom."

I opened my arms immediately & held her, telling her I was so sorry. I didn't know what to say. It sucks. I actually have 3 girls from Mexico who live with extended family in Austin because their parents are back in Mexico.

I understand these parents are sending their kids to live here to get a good education, but it is so hard to be that far from your parents & siblings for this long. They get to see them at Christmas during the school year & that's it! By law, we must educate these children & I'm so thankful that I have this job. I know I have the best job on campus, getting to work with these incredible students. I hear them talk about their schools in Mexico & I know they are getting a good education there. So, sometimes I ask myself if sending them to the US by themselves is really "better" for them.