You've Got Balls!

Today we read a story called "A Party for Bob". Long story short, several children walk through the door and have a surprise party for some kid named Bob. We are comparing and contrasting the gifts, what they look like...all that good stuff.

Duval County is big on kids writing in journals. Even in first grade. So usually what we do is allow them to discuss their answers with each other and then write. Believe it or not, it really help them get their little thoughts on the paper.


So today I told the kids to turn and talk to each other about what they would have brought Bob for his party and why. I was the model teacher, y'all! Showed them how I wanted it done on the projector and everything! i was kinda proud of myself.

Since TB did not have a partner today, I decided that I would be her partner and I asked her what she would bring to the party.

Here we go:

Me: What would you bring Bob to the party?

TB: I think I would bring him a ball for a gift.

Now this is great because I just love when they talk to me in a complete sentence and not say stuff like 'because' or "I dunno."

Me: That sounds nice. Why would you bring him a ball?

Wait for it...because you know it's coming

TB: Because he is a boy and they like to play with their balls.


I love my job...

I Told You...(106 and Green Update)

You CAN Electric Slide to anysong!! 106 and Green was a SUCCESS!!


However the teachers around me may give me the side eye later today because it was the CLUB up in here today!






See...told ya...I love my job!

I'm Engaged!!

For those of you who are sitting with your mouth open, no, it does not mean that I have left Hubby.

Today, we had another one of those conversations with the powers that be that say that the students should be engaged. Engaged pretty much means that they should all be active in the lesson at any given time. In short, I have to find ways to put on a show each day with live active particiapants. Luckily for the school system I work for, I am a fool.

Game on!

So this week we are studying the letter O. Today I have come up with a way to make my principal proud!!

It's Ms. Green's dance party 106 and Green. I am playing the song below and I have the whole class doing the Electric Slide (as a Black woman, I firmly believe that you can do the Electric Slide to absolutely any song).

The teacher across the hall from me has already given me the side eye while I was practing. I will let you know how much trouble 106 and Green causes later.

The Insanity Plea...

So we are sitting quitely waiting for 3:45. I have promised a treat to to table that can remain quiet until time for us to line up for dismissal. I am tired. I am ready to go home. In short I have had enough for one day.

A little boy raised his hand to tell me that a little girl in the class was talking. She in turn said that she was talking to herself because that is what she always does.

(WHATDA...?!)

Anyway, there is another little girl in the class who has more mouth than she should She will be called Ms. Talkative Bunny. She always has a comment.

Anyway...it goes like this:

Me: Why are you talking to yourself?

Student: Cuz I always do.

Me: But why?

See, I need to understand why I keep asking the same damn question to these kids. Hell, isn't that the definition of insanity?


Student: Cuz I always just do it.

Me: You know that is a sign of being crazy, right?

TB: Girl, IS you crazy? Maybe that will explain why you act so doggone stupid!


I tried not to laugh...(didn't work)

The Art Gallery Incident of 2010..

So each year my students are taken to what is a really fru-fru art gallery in town. I used to laugh and think about how they really just did not understand these trips. My militant friends are quick to say that it is just a way for the 'white man' to help the children get 'culture'. Actually, I love the gallery and tend to get lost looking at the paintings while my students talk about the pretty colors in the paintings or the flowers in the gardens.

You know I really can't say too much went wrong on the field trip today. We went over the paintings and some of the terms before we left, so they were prepared and did a good job of answering questions.

HOWEVER...

One of the questions was about texture. The guide asked "What is texture?"

One of my students said:

"That stuff you put in your hair to make it curly."

I was so embarassed. She said that in front of the white folk. You know Black folk are prone to being embarassed for the whole group of us when one of us has done something stupid. At this point I was embarassed for the group. So you know now the man is thinking what a great thing he is doing for our society helping the poor negro children learn that texture is not created by AfroSheen and UltraSheen Cosmetics.. I am sitting in the back of the gallery blushing next to the thousands year old pottery.

Then, since we had to have lunch stupid early today (10:00am...who does this), I asked the parents to send the kids with a snack. So one little girl comes with:

1. a can of vienna sausage
2. a FAMILY size bag of cheetos (the hot and spicy kind)
3. some hot sauce ( I swear!)
4. some crackers

What's wrong with this you ask? NO DRINK! How the hell are you gonna send your child to school with such a gastrointestinal mess as this and you send nothing to DRINK? So now she is sitting here thristy, mad and with the hot lips because with all that they did not send her with a Capri Sun or at least a quarterwater (I'll explain quarter water to you bougie folk at a later date).

Teaching....that's what I do! LOL

Everyday is a Good Day...

I was a part of a teacher fellow group that asked us to always wonder. Over the course of several months I was asked to come up with a wondering and as a teacher, sit and try to figure out my wondering and how I can make life classroom environment through wondering. Today as I sit in my class I have had some wonderings. I am going to share them with you right now.

I wonder...

Why this teacher keeps trying me?

Just how long I am going to let it go on...

Why I am so happy to find out that one of my students is moving to another school?

Why am I kinda sad at the same time?

Why do they serve this crap in the cafeteria and wonder why the kids throw it on each other?

Why I didn't take the day off and go to the beach?

Why do parents ask about homework on the day it is to be turned in?

Why to they think I care?

Why the parent with the gold teeth scares me?


That's all my wondering for now.

This Monday...

Sometimes this teaching thing is really easy. I guess at least for me. I love teaching first grade because I love the innocence of six and seven year olds. Not too much sass...just enough baby left in them to make it fun.

What I am learning I do not like about teaching is the politics and the fact that, although it is the hardest job on the planet, it carries the least amount of respect. Take for example the fact that I work at a school that has (for the betterment of the children) taken on having a longer school day. I know an hour does not seem like a lot. In the grand scheme of things it really isn't. But, if you are six or seven years old it can seem like an eternity. Let's be real: if you are an adult in a room of six or seven year olds it can seem like an eternity. Anyway, one of the perks ( I guess) of working at a school with extended hours is that we are paid an extra hour...which in its own way adds up and is something to look forward to at the end of two very long weeks. What has happened here is that we have worked so diligently and made sure what needed to be done was done. The classrooms look great. The kids are on point. I open my paycheck and...

Nothing.

Yep.

Nothing.

What is upsetting now is that no one, not the principal, the union, bookkeeper, payroll rep, NOBODY can tell me where my money is. Just that they will figure it out and no I can't take any time off in compensation.

So it's out there world...just what does a tired teacher do now?

Waiting for 3:45...

I teach first grade.

I know what you are thinking right now: How fun?!! I am sure it would be wonderful to be able to have little happy children all day singing songs and coloring pretty pictures.

Well, hell, I think that would be fun, too! That, however is not my life. My first graders are not what you see on TV. They really lead some interesting lives. Interesting is not the word to use...but I have not yet found something appropriate. See I work in what is called an 'urban' school (I will explain to you later why I am learning to HATE the word urban). I started teaching in Miami completely by accident. What happened was I waited until I was kinda old to get married. I packed up my raggedy duffel bag (you have to watch Living Single to get that one) and moved. At the time I was sure that I would be able to get a job doing what I had been doing for the last 10 years, banking. Little did I know that my high school freshman Spanish just was not gonna cut it in the M.I.A.

So you ask...teaching? One of Hubby's friend suggested it. She knew a principal and they knew some school board members and 'voila' the next thing you know I am the permanent sub at an elementary school in Carol City. I moved to my own classroom the next year and the rest is history!! Don't get me wrong...I love what I do. I believe deep in my heart that one my students will be the first black something. Not sure which one of what yet, but something nonetheless.

During my time in Miami, I took to writing a journal (blog) of the day to day antics at school and not only did it relieve some stress, but it did open a few folks eyes to what happens in school that are not as privileged....schools that are urban (God I hate that word!!). Hopefully, someone will run across this and not only get a laugh, but a view into a teachers world.

By the way...3:45 is the new time we get out of school. Yes, the still start around 8:30 and yes, that seems to be an awfully long time to have 6 years olds in school. But it is the way of the urban (is anyone else skin itching at the sound of that word yet?)school.

Enjoy...