This past Friday the band put on a BBQ for a fundraiser. My room faces the band building so our windows were an excellent vantage point to watch people picking up their orders walk to and from the parking lot. Finally after getting frustrated by the kids gazing out the window instead of writing their journal or doing their work on adjectives, in exasperation, I say, "It's SOO fas-ci-na-ting to watch strangers walk on a sidewalk." In earnest, one student responded, "Especially when they're this ugly!" I tried not to laugh but did not succeed.
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Last Wednesday I found myself at another point of abject frustration. I asked my class sans the football players who had early dismissal to discuss the class's behavior and possible solutions that would provide a calm learning environment. I got helpful input like "You should seat us with our friends. That way we won't get in fights." And, "we need to do fun stuff." The brainstorming session proved a refresher in the maturity level of my students. But, this one droll kid came up to me after class. He said, "Ms. M, I have a suggestion. You know your blue storage cabinent back there. You should clean it out so you can put the kids who misbehave. They could still hear what's going on. You'd have to keep it locked, though." I said, "And, maybe make it sound proof." We chuckled at our humor.
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In homeroom, I got a girl to take names on the board of people talking. After talking some procedure, I turn around and find my name followed by about 50 checks lined up all the way across the board. I laughed then said, "I was talking." Funnier still was when the board wouldn't erase. So my name with the row of checks remained the entire day. One of my brighter students in the following class asked me, "What did you do to get your name on the board?"
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