Bring a Bunny to the Office

Secretary (over the intercom): Can you send Piper to the office?

Public Domain Pictures

Me: Yes

Secretary: With a buddy

Student 1: With a bunny?

Student 2: A buddy, like a friend

I don't have bunnies in my classroom, but I've had a bird...

Where it all started

Ants in your stomach

Quote of the Day: I think there's ants in your stomach because it's itchy and ants are itchy...I had ants in my stomach once.

Giving Away Brothers

Math Word Problem

Teresa has 3 siblings. Annie has 1 sibling. How many more siblings does Teresa have than Annie?

Me: What is the problem saying?

Marvin:  Annie's going to give her brother to Teresa.

Where are our listening ears people?

Teachers Have Toes

You're minding your own business shopping in Wal-Mart when you turn the corner, and what do you see? The shocked expression of a student who can't believe you actually go out into the world. It's my third year of teaching, and I've gotten two questions quite often. You go home? You have a mom? No children, I sleep here on my desk with an endless supply of Lean Cuisines in my mini fridge.

One day when I was trying to make a point in front of class, I learned a new thing they were surprised to learn about me. I have toes.

Any primary teacher out there can probably attest to the multitude of things children find to distract themselves on the rug. My biggest enemy is the shoe. Whether it's tying and untying the laces, picking the rocks out of the bottom, or my favorite coloring on it...there seems to be an endless amount of footwear distraction possibilities.

During this particular lesson, shoe fascination was running high and in attempt to make a point I took off one of my flats and started playing with it. While I was trying to be all dramatic and make a point, I heard one of my kids whisper to another, "I saw her toes."

So maybe they didn't get the whole you shouldn't play with your shoes thing, but at least now they know I'm a little more like a normal human being.

 

 

 

Clouds in Phoenix?

Now Phoenix isn't known for its weather diversity but I think my kids are even more sheltered than I thought...

Me: What are some kinds of weather?
Student 1: Cloudy
Student 2: What's cloudy?

Breathe

Before I left school for Christmas vacation, I told a co-worker I was excited to go on break so I could breathe. She looked at me a little confused until I explained it meant I wanted to relax. I had been so wrapped up in school and holiday activities, I couldn’t remember the last time I sat and did nothing.

While I was on vacation, I had the opportunity to work on a writing project. With a soon approaching deadline, I had to switch from teacher mode to full blown writer mode. Although this required a lot of work, it was one of the best things that could have happened to me because it reminded me of something: I’m not just a teacher.

I consider it a privilege to be able to have a job that I also feel is my calling for the moment, and it has become a lot of my identity. Submerging myself in my writing the past two weeks has helped me remember that it’s not my only one. I’m also a writer, a sister, a daughter…a child of God.

In order to be a better teacher in 2014 I need to remember my other identities. Teaching is a rewarding profession, but like any job, if you let it consume you, it can leave you drained. And who wants an overtired teacher who’s only keeping her eyes open because she’s drank 3 cups of coffee that morning? Not this lady. And probably not the kids either.

I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions, but I do want to start my year differently. I want to be able to breathe. With prayer and determination I move forward to be a better time manager, to be more organized, and to mentally leave school at the end of the day.

What are you doing differently this year?

Bust

Conversation of the Day:

Me: Read the word. (bust)

Student: Bu…

Me: Bu…s

Student: Bus!

Me: Bus…t

Student: Buts!

Me: Bust

Student: Buts!

Me: Bust

Student (running around screaming): Buts! Buts!

Me: That’s close enough.