Teacher to the Rescue

Before we left the classroom for lunch today, I reminded some kiddos that they had work to do before recess and they should probably take it to lunch. Instead of carrying themselves, they put their work (loose-leaf paper) in our lunch basket that we take to the cafeteria.

We were walking to lunch just fine when a strong gust of wind came. It blew all of the papers out of the lunch basket. We all stood there watching the papers fly away, as if it weren't really happening. A kid wanted to run and get them, but they were now flying through the driveway. I told him not to, that I would go get them. Then another strong gust of wind came and blew them even further away. At this point I was beginning to tell the kids that they will just have to get paper after lunch and work on it during recess. As I was saying this, I felt bad. I didn't want these kids to sit out at recess for something they were willing to spend their lunch doing. While I am debating whether or not I want to go get the papers, they are now blown into the street and begin flying down the street. I quickly hand my kids my clipboard, lunch bag, and water bottle. The kids start cheering, "Go Ms. L! Go Ms. L!"

I take off down the sidewalk and then look both ways before crossing the driveway. I then again look both ways 4 times before I go into the street in search of the papers that I can no longer see. I yell to the kids asking for directions of where to look. "Under the car!" And what do I see, but one of the paper caught up under the car. I get on the ground to get it out and hear a loud cheer, "YAYYYYYYY!!!!!" and clapping.

"Okay, where is the other one?" "Over there!!!!" And I run over to the second flying paper. The kids cheered with excitement and gratefulness that they didn't have to start their work over. It was quite funny and I did get some cool teacher points for chasing down the papers they should have been carrying in their own hands!

This is also a great way to impress a new student...see next blog.

Summon the Beast

It was my day back after 2 sick days. I felt like a celebrity! My kids were ecstatic that I was back and other teachers asked me all day how I was feeling. Some acted like I had been diagnosed with SARS and others were were just glad I was back and "healthy". I'm not going to lie, it was a bit hard to be back all day. It took a lot of energy out of me and my kids, although grateful for my return, weren't so cooperative all day. I was very happy that I only had to return for one day and then the weekend would be in full swing.

Of course in the midst of trying to stay alive today, there was some humorous "activity". The books that my class were so patiently waiting on arrived today and were waiting for them on their desks when they walked in this morning. One student ordered a book that sparked interest in many students. He took it to lunch so they could read it. While walking out of lunch, they were holding up a piece of paper to the sky. I tried looking at it to see what they were seeing and it must be a kid thing; I couldn't see anything! "What's it for?" I asked. "Summoning the beast," replied Juan. "WHAT? What beast are you talking about?" "The one from my book." "Okay, whatever."

During recess, I observe a group of student gathered around Juan and his popular book. They seem to be dancing around and and doing some strange behaviors. I know they are goofy 4th graders and do goofy things, so I didn't ask much about it. When I called the class to line up for recess, they were still trying to summon the beasts. My co-worker is very concerned about this and tried to warn them of what might happen when the beast arrives. I just thought it was funny.

I thought it was done with for the day, but I was wrong. During Writers' Workshop time, we had some drama (some vomit was spewed in my classroom). While I was responding to this, a few girls got their hands on this book in which you can supposedly summon the beast. I got onto them for not working on writing and then Juan comes over and asks who was misusing his book. I let him know and then he lets me know that he's actually kind of scared of the beast he's been summoning all afternoon.
J: "Ms. L, I'm a little scared of the beast."
Me: "Why?"
J: "Because when I get home from school off the bus, I have to walk a long way to my house by myself. What happens if the beast comes then?"
Me: "I don't know. I think you'll have to read your book and see if there's something you can do to protect yourself when the beast comes."

This provided quite a bit of entertainment throughout the day...enough to keep me going through not so great health. I love my class!

I'm the champion!

The day started out a bit rough not knowing how we were supposed to pay for the field trip because the secretary was unable to give us a check. And when I went to pick up the kids from their morning meeting place, all the kids began to yell out "Julion cussed a kid out at flag duty this morning!" WHAT?!?! I look around for him, but the principal already had him in her office. He later returns to class, seemingly without a consequence. I'm curious that he can do something like this and he's not made responsible for his actions...well, apparently he didn't cuss out a kindergartner, but beat up a first grader at his apartment. And since it happened off of school property...the school has no jurisdiction.

After this drama passed, we head out the door for the field trip. Except we don't get very far because the buses aren't here yet. After 15 minutes of waiting in front of the school, the last bus arrives. The bus ride was mostly uneventful, except for the air conditioner dumping loads of water on the kids sitting in the back seat.

We were now in the middle of nowhere, also known as Elgin, TX at the Evergreen Farm. They have stations set up to talk about Texas History, which is what 4th graders study. We learned about the farm being a settlement back in the 1800s. We also went on a trail to learn about compasses and a wagon ride for ??? It had a purpose, but I was ready to leave at that point because of a child who chose to jump off of the wagon as it was moving and then run and jump back on. It was a combination of a group of boys that just didn't want to listen (the same ones I have trouble with in the classroom).

After lunch, the kids were able to play games (tetherball, bean bag toss, hop scotch, etc.). Some of the teachers had never played tetherball before and I used to be fairly good at it. I proceeded to go to a tetherball pole and show the kids (and watching teachers) how it was done. I beat every kid in line TWICE. They kept asking for the punishment. I was the tetherball champion! If the kids hadn't been in line, I would have sat down, but they kept getting back in line time after time of losing. That made my afternoon and made me sweat (yes! physical activity).

When we returned to school, it was recess for the remainder of the afternoon. This also meant that I needed to show these kids (and teachers) how to play a little game called kickball. The other teachers and I first explained the rules to kickball because they've been playing by bogus rules that change daily. After all new rules were established, I got my turn to kick. I am always on the kicking team. And I always go 3rd in line...not enough for the kids to have already gotten 3 outs, but not first. I'm up to bat...the pitch is coming...it was the best kick I've had since playing recess kickball...it goes all the way to the far fence. The kids are in awe...and they're watching me round the bases all the way to home! If the 4th grade classes need help with playing sports or athletic games, I'm there to show 'em how it's done. I may not look most athletic among the 4th grade teachers, but I've got plenty of skills on them. By the way, what good does a treadmill do when trying to impress 4th graders?

Update on Disrespectful: Not such a good day, but I will cut him a break because we were on a field trip...a fairly unstructured field trip.