We're Here to Lay on the Beds

Husband and I went to exchange some duplicate wedding gifts at Bed Bath and Beyond.  We also bought a bunch of stuff that we didn't get for the wedding but desperately needed (you know, like a step stool because I'm super short and I like to try to reach high things).

As we were checking out, a bunch of junior high age kids came in.  I thought, "I wonder if any of my old students are with them."

Turns out one was...it was L.  Oh, how I miss that kid.  And he misses me too.  Woot.  We talked. He called my husband a "handsome man" and told him how lucky he is to be married to me (which he obviously is).

Me: So you're hanging out at the Bed Bath and Beyond with your friends on a Saturday?  Kinda lame, L., kinda lame.

L: No it's not.  We're here to lay on the beds cuz they're so nice.  You should try it some time.

Me: I have my own bed...I'm good.

Bed bugs are not my thing.  I'll keep myself in my own bed.

Football, Jigs and Anger

After playing football yesterday, I decided to be more appropriately dressed today.

Contrary to popular belief in my classroom, I am not doing a jig.  I am being angry that I missed an easy pass.  Look at that face...that is anger.

I'm gaining on L. in this picture.  And I caught him.  No touchdown for you, sir.

I could have probably played for the NFL.

You Have Those Horrible Days, Then...

...you get something like this and you know it's all been worth it.

"Miss J. has a way to teach something and make it fun and easy to learn.  She's one of my favorite teachers that I've had."

(click to see it biggie sized)

This is from L.  L. who says all kinds of crazy things.  I think I may just make him one of my labels.

edit:  You can now read about anything L. has said because he is one of my labels.  Click here if you'd like to read them all.

edit #2: I've now made all my featured students labels so you can quickly read all the funny things they've said.

Can I Borrow Your Big Girl Pants?

There is so much I want to say but because this is the internet and anyone could read it, I think I'll refrain.  I've spilled my guts to enough people this week to last me awhile.

Here's the short of it: I wish I could stop being such a pansy, put on my big girl pants, and do something about it but I'm terrified.  

That being said, my posts may become a bit more superficial than usual. 





P.S.

L. told me to "get some this weekend".  I don't know if I should be weirded out by the fact that he and the rest of my class are so obsessed with my personal life or worried about what he thinks "get some" means.  6th graders are interesting.

edit: My friend Ryan gave me the line "Big girl pants."  I (he) thought I should give him credit.

Overheard During the Past 2 Weeks

I've changed how I my students do journals.  Instead of having them write in them for half the year then I look at them, I have them write everyday and I read them everyday.  Today I read this from my cute little J.  (The same J. that said she would cry and cry when she left my class and that I am too good for all men out there but I will wop you women's butts and take your men):

"My teacher [Miss J.] is better than my other one...She liked the smart kids better then the other ones.  She made everything hard for me.  She did not even help me and anything...Miss J. you are better then her you don't have a favorite one like her you make it easier for me.  She made me raise my hand when I didn't know the answer.  She made me embarrassed because I did not know the answer.  You teach in fun ways and you teach me easier ways to do math.  you are like my mom, sister, aunt.  Thank you Miss J. a lot."

She doesn't want to leave my class and I don't want her to leave so I think I'll keep her.

 L. :"I like your Jedi boots, Miss J."

Me: "Thanks?"

JGP made this bracelet made from cardboard and tissue paper.  He made it during class when he should have been doing a math assignment. 

If You Drink Tampico, You are Rich

F: "Why don't we go on lots of field trips? It's because our school is poor, huh. We're One Title or something aren't we? What does that even mean?"

Me: "Our school is a Title One school. It just means that we are..." [L interrupts]

L.: "We're so poor we can't even afford Tampico."

6th grader logic, if you can afford Tampico, you are rich.

The truth...I can afford Tampico but I am not rich.

Journal Gems Part Deux

I finally got around to reading through all the journals and some did not disappoint.

I finished reading L.'s journal (the boy who gave us the gems of proper English Lady and "Hey laaaady!"). When asked to write about his favorite thing about Valentine's Day, he said: "Valentine's day is a day of love. My favorite thing to do in v-day is make out. Joke. It's dance." With what he said last time I have a difficult time believing that he is joking. Come on guys, you're 12! Go play with dolls or something equally child-like.

K., who always sings this song from The Hangover whenever he's with his friends, said "I am a cat. I hiss and purr and meow! I love to claw the couch and eat cat chow. I'M A CAT!!" I'm imagining that this was a song going through his head. Oh, man this kid is classic.

Another K. said, "Freaking girls! Telling people things that I didn't even say! They can be so irritating sometimes. They can be cool but most of the time they are freaking annoying!" I hear ya. Girls are annoying until you're at least 18. Keep that in mind little buddy!

Journal Gems

My students have been writing in journals since the first day of school. Sometimes I give them topics to write on, sometimes I let them write about anything they want.

On our last day of school, I gathered all the journals (yes, this is the first time, oops!) and have been reading through them. While most of the writing is mediocre at best, I have gotten some gems out of these journals. For example:

L. (the boy who gave us the gems of proper English Lady and "Hey laaaady!") said: "I can't help it if my face is so beautiful that girls just want to date me."

J. (I've never talked about her before because she is very quiet and doesn't give me gems like some of the other kids do.) said: "I love this class because my teacher, Miss J., is the best teacher ever...When I have to go to 7th grade, I'm going to cry and cry and cry and cry and cry and keep crying because I don't want to leave this classroom and Miss J. because she does not stop teaching until we all get it. That's why she's the best teacher even in the whole world." (I had to add this for my own narcissistic tendencies, not because it was funny or anything.)

She also said: "Miss J. is the best teacher in the whole world, I mean it, she is too good for all of the men out there. So watch out you women, Miss J. she is going to wop your butt so hide your men because she will take them from you because your men will look at her and leave you and go with her." Yep, what she said, you women. Oh, man. I almost peed when I read this one!

K. said: "Yesterday, Miss B.'s sub was so cute!!! L. and I went to mix-it-up and he was our teacher...well, we saw him and both said at the same time that he looked like EDWARD!!! Oh, and the sub was nice."

H. (who talks exactly like he writes) said: "I still don't get the whole point of this assignment because I think my palm will explode before I finish this page. No joke dude. I am not playing."

I haven't read all of the journals yet so I'm sure you'll hear a few more before I go back on track. This is why 6th grade is amazing.

Why Wouldn't You Want to be a Teacher?

Especially when you get to hear all the funny and wonderful things that kiddos say.

Today, as the bell rang, I was talking to a student about an assignment. L. comes up to me and with a little swivel of his head says, "Hey, laaaaaady." He looks at me for a second trying to judge my reaction. He smiles, nods and leaves. I laugh, snort and repeat.

This is the same L. that said I look like a proper English lady, if you were wondering.



I just realized this doesn't sound as funny as it truly was. Maybe I'll make a reenactment video. Only staring me as all 3 characters. I may even edit it and add special things. Oh, it'll be good if it ever happens.

Proper English Lady

As I was putting on my coat to go out to recess, a student said,

"Miss J., you look like a proper English lady. You know, like Mary Poppins."

Through laughs, "Why is that, L.?"

"Because of your coat. You know it's long and it has puffy sleeves. It just looks like you should be in England."

"Well then, (cue horrible English accent) after you gov'na."

Are these the same?