- I have proven that teachers really can make their students do whatever they want by forcing a Drama class into pretending to be jungle animals for nearly ten minutes while playing "The Lion King" through my computer. Several students ended up "killing" their classmates. One student asked what he should do since his animal had no natural predators. I sincerely hope that my students don't go home today and say that they killed people at school.
- I have a student who hates his first name but will not offer any suggestions for improvement. I have offered many other more exotic suggestions, none of which seems satisfactory either. Other suggestions have included Pierre, Gaston, Lumiere, Stefon, Gale, and Chuck.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Back from the dead
Friday, March 12, 2010
The Seer
- Burst into tears over simple assignments that don't have a right or wrong answer, they're just asking for opinions (explanation: "I'm just so tired!")
- Worn an ace bandage over a pair of jeans. When asked why the bandage was being worn, I was told that it was for a bruise. (?!) Next day the bandage was on again. Same leg, different location. By afternoon when said student comes to my class, the bandage had switched legs. (Snort.)
- Wrote the following: "I see the future in my dreams. It makes it easier for me to know where I should and shouldn't go." (Seeing the future, eh? Seriously? Hook me up with that sort of gift. Might come in handy.)
Yes. This student is a special sort of soul whom I occasionally ache for and mostly just try not to laugh at. Poor thing.
On a somewhat unrelated note, I was accused of being a ninth grader this week after a performance of the school play I helped to direct. I read the opening announcements for the show - things about not getting into the aisles or taking pictures or being annoying. After the show, a very kind woman pulled me aside and said in the "I'm talking to a very young, naive child who just went to the potty by herself" voice that I hate so much: "You did such a good job reading the announcements!"
"Thank you," I said with a pleasant smile that hopefully masked my annoyance. "Did you enjoy the show?"
"Oh yes. Were you in it too?"
"No, I directed it."
"Oh! Are you in ninth grade?"
"No. I'm a teacher."
I recognize that I look several years younger than I am, but that's knocking nearly ten years off of my age. No wonder I'm rarely taken seriously unless I'm overly assertive.
Last anecdote:
A few of my girls were talking this week about how they are betrothed. I'm assuming it was a joke, but I didn't hear the whole conversation. I do, however, clearly remember hearing "You're betrothed too?! We're like sisters!"
?!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Perception of Age
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Kule.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
What you say. . . what you mean. . .
Of course, what they don't know is that I am also a master of euphemism. Here are some of my favorite things to say, and hear at conferences along with their "translations":
1. Your child is very social! They have so many friends.
(Your child never shuts up. No, seriously.)
2. Everyone in class really seems to enjoy your student.
(Everyone in class knows who your student is because they are so "social".)
3. Your student really adds something to our class. When he/she is not there, we notice a difference.
(I know that God loves me extra on the days when your kid doesn't come.)
4. Your child is very unique.
(Your kid is "special" - like, "don't eat the paste or put hand sanetizer into the pencil sharpener" special.)
5. Your student is very active.
(By the time they leave class, their desk is about three feet away from where it should be.)
6. Your child has a special kind of . . . extra sense about them. . .
(Buy your kid some deoderant please?)