Life and Times

Reason 2938 Erik is my favorite student -  I was helping in their classroom just before lunch.  They were working on an art project and I was practicing MBWA (I did learn something in college!).  In my lack of alternative activities I started singing the Fraggle Rock theme song.  Much to my surprise Erik joined right in.  Words, tune, even the claps.  I love that kid.

Ashley, in the 3rd grade, has a boyfriend named Trenton - also in the 3rd grade.  He's the same kid who zealously questioned the christianity of his classroom.  I found out about Ashley's BF from a coworker.  Shortly thereafter I saw Ashley in the hall and said, "Ashley, you have a boyfriend?"  To which she replied, "Keep it shut!" and abashedly headed back to class.  I said, "Who is it?"  She looked put out, but in an amused way and said, "T-R-E-N-T-O-N."  Both of them could do better, but they're in 3rd grade, so really...

I almost said something to Ashley about her lack of respect, but then again, I initiated the conversation and clearly it was instituted as a friend-to-friend interaction, not a teacher-student interaction, so I couldn't exactly blame her.  Besides, I was highly amused by the whole thing.

I had a boy talk with some of the 3rd grade boys. They were wrestling at recess and I noticed that they were kicking, so I said to them, "Hey guys, let's have a talk. It's probably OK that you're wrestling. I'm not gonna say it's OK, but I won't stop you. However, kicking is never OK." At this point a couple of girls had joined in on the lecture, so I told them they needed to leave cause we had to talk about boy stuff. I continued, "There are certain parts of your body that don't respond well to kicking." One young man chimed in with, "Yeah, like your wiener." I acquiesced. Anyway, we had a good chat, and I think they'll be OK.