Picture it, today, a Grade 2 Billy, sitting and listening oh-so-attentively, and I noticed something odd about his ears. He had folded down and tucked the tops of both of his ears inside the hole of his ears - and they stayed there! We was working away as if all was normal and he DIDN'T have his ears tucked into his head! I asked him why he did that. His response: "It's comfortable!" (obviously!?!)
None of the other kids seemed to notice, or care and of course, as soon as they left the class, I HAD to see if I could do it to my own ears .... I can't. It actually almost seems physically impossible to do it! Can you???
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
OMOTD (Ow Moment of the Day!)
I got a lovely 'Grade 3 shoulder slam' up my chin this afternoon, throwing my whole head back. It was a total accident - but I couldn't help but by yelp out in pain. I think the poor guy felt worse than I did about it. Note to self: Watch out for those sharp shoulders on Billy when teaching him how to properly hold glockenspiel mallets!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Juice Bag - Full Circle Moment
Not too long ago, I experienced a 'full circle' moment after the whole 'Juice Bag' incident.
A lovely parent in my school came up to me with a fund raising idea. She was going to make and sell purses and wallets to students and families in the school and donate all of the proceeds to my program. What a generous and thoughtful thing to do! I instantly bought one and have purchased a few for other people as well.
Can you guess what her #1 material used in her purses is? Yup - juice bags!! (Kool Aid Jammers to be specific!)
I can't help but smile when I use it! :)
A lovely parent in my school came up to me with a fund raising idea. She was going to make and sell purses and wallets to students and families in the school and donate all of the proceeds to my program. What a generous and thoughtful thing to do! I instantly bought one and have purchased a few for other people as well.
Can you guess what her #1 material used in her purses is? Yup - juice bags!! (Kool Aid Jammers to be specific!)
I can't help but smile when I use it! :)
Monday, September 20, 2010
Quote of the Day....
Sally: "Mrs. M., your hair this morning was really nice and curly and now it's really flat."
Me: Yes it is Sally, thank you.
Me: Yes it is Sally, thank you.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Parents: The Good, The Bad, and The Awesome!
For every student I teach, there is at least one adult responsible for them. I've met a lot parents over the years; many wonderful caregivers who have their child's best interests at heart. Others.....well.....let's just say I've met some VERY interesting folks:
The Helicoter Parent: The parent that 'hovers' above their child, afraid to let go, calling me up to four times a day for advice, reassurance, or to just tell me 'one more thing'.
The BFF Parent: Those who share clothes with their kids (including their midriff-baring tank tops), gossip about the other students with them, and take them to to the spa for the day when their child was suspended for being violent in school. (True story!)
The Orchard Syndrome Parent: Where the apple doesn't far fall from the tree. (Enough said!)
The 'Refuse to Grow Up' Parent: Voicemail msg: Beats, Beats, Beats, Dance music, BEATS, BEATS - (in a seductive voice purring into the phone) "You've reached Billy's mom, leave a message and I'll call you back.....purrrr!"
The 'In Denial' Parent: When sitting down in a meeting with the principal, the parents and the student who told me to "F-Off!" at recess, the parent asks which direction his child was facing when he swore, as he may have been swearing INTO THE WIND!
The Sigmund Freud: When parent/teacher interview night turns into a therapy session about their failed marriage and their cheating ex-husband's new girlfriend. (Very awkward)
The Awesome Parent!: The supportive, caring, nurturing, helpful parent that only wants their children to try their best and be all they can be. Thankfully, there are more of these out there than the above! :)
The Helicoter Parent: The parent that 'hovers' above their child, afraid to let go, calling me up to four times a day for advice, reassurance, or to just tell me 'one more thing'.
The BFF Parent: Those who share clothes with their kids (including their midriff-baring tank tops), gossip about the other students with them, and take them to to the spa for the day when their child was suspended for being violent in school. (True story!)
The Orchard Syndrome Parent: Where the apple doesn't far fall from the tree. (Enough said!)
The 'Refuse to Grow Up' Parent: Voicemail msg: Beats, Beats, Beats, Dance music, BEATS, BEATS - (in a seductive voice purring into the phone) "You've reached Billy's mom, leave a message and I'll call you back.....purrrr!"
The 'In Denial' Parent: When sitting down in a meeting with the principal, the parents and the student who told me to "F-Off!" at recess, the parent asks which direction his child was facing when he swore, as he may have been swearing INTO THE WIND!
The Sigmund Freud: When parent/teacher interview night turns into a therapy session about their failed marriage and their cheating ex-husband's new girlfriend. (Very awkward)
The Awesome Parent!: The supportive, caring, nurturing, helpful parent that only wants their children to try their best and be all they can be. Thankfully, there are more of these out there than the above! :)
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Quote of the Day...
Today, while picking up a Grade 2 class from their recess door, Billy* and I had this lovely conversation:
Billy (while grabbing his behind): "Mrs. M, I keep getting wedgies!"
Me: "Well Billy, you got a lot taller over the summer. Maybe you new to get some new pants because you're growing so quickly."
Billy: "No, I think it's because I didn't wipe my bum the last time I went to the bathroom, can I go fix it?"
Me: "Yes Billy, Go!"
*Yes, this Billy happens to be the SAME Billy as the 'Pants in the Toilet' and "Juice Bag' student!!!
Billy (while grabbing his behind): "Mrs. M, I keep getting wedgies!"
Me: "Well Billy, you got a lot taller over the summer. Maybe you new to get some new pants because you're growing so quickly."
Billy: "No, I think it's because I didn't wipe my bum the last time I went to the bathroom, can I go fix it?"
Me: "Yes Billy, Go!"
*Yes, this Billy happens to be the SAME Billy as the 'Pants in the Toilet' and "Juice Bag' student!!!
Monday, September 13, 2010
When making a list, be sure to check it twice!
I was thinking today about a pretty embarrassing situation I put myself in last fall, just about a month after teaching in a brand new BIG school.
I had assigned a major assignment to all of our Intermediate students and was up to my eyeballs in marking. (Note to self, don't assign a major project to 120 students with the exact same due date). I thought I was starting to see double when I picked up a second assignment in the same class that looked and sounded pretty similar to another I had already read. I dug through the growing pile and found the other one. Not only was it a similar assignment, it was EXACTLY THE SAME. Same font, same format, same spelling mistakes, word for word, except for the name on the top of it.
I've come across plagiarism before, even minor cheating ... but never full out ripping off of somebody's work. I talked to both of the girls in question and they fully admitted to cheating, one doing all of the work, the other convincing her 'friend' to let her full out copy her. Both of the girls had to each do a separate and new assignment and knew that I would be calling home.
I wrote a note to remind myself to call their parents that evening. Another matter came up after school which led me putting off calling home until the following morning. I called the first set of parents, told them the story (was surprised how they weren't really put off by the whole thing and didn't seem fazed that their daughter cheated....more about parents in another posting). I called (who I thought was the other girl) and got her father on the phone. I went through the whole story again and he was totally and utteruly shocked. He was appalled and started screaming for his daughter to come to him (while still on the phone with me). She started denying the whole thing to him and he and she were yelling back and forth. It wasn't until she screamed out that she didn't copy off the girls project, that it was 'Sally' that did, did I realize that I called the WRONG STUDENT'S HOUSE!
You see, the girl that I had just called had a VERY similar name to the cheater that confessed the day before. Being new to the school, and teaching 17 different classes a week, was a bad combo and made for an easy mix up.
I started stuttering and apologizing profusely to the VERY upset father on the phone. Although he couldn't see me, I was definitely the colour 'Embarrased' from the crayon box. I couldn't believe I wrote down and contacted the wrong student's parents.
As this all happened before school, I went to meet the girl outside before the morning bell went and apologized again and again, and followed up with an apology letter home to her parents. I have never felt so badly and was kicking myself for making such a dumb mistake.
Moral of the story: Like Santa, I've definitely learned to check all of my names twice, after making a list!
I had assigned a major assignment to all of our Intermediate students and was up to my eyeballs in marking. (Note to self, don't assign a major project to 120 students with the exact same due date). I thought I was starting to see double when I picked up a second assignment in the same class that looked and sounded pretty similar to another I had already read. I dug through the growing pile and found the other one. Not only was it a similar assignment, it was EXACTLY THE SAME. Same font, same format, same spelling mistakes, word for word, except for the name on the top of it.
I've come across plagiarism before, even minor cheating ... but never full out ripping off of somebody's work. I talked to both of the girls in question and they fully admitted to cheating, one doing all of the work, the other convincing her 'friend' to let her full out copy her. Both of the girls had to each do a separate and new assignment and knew that I would be calling home.
I wrote a note to remind myself to call their parents that evening. Another matter came up after school which led me putting off calling home until the following morning. I called the first set of parents, told them the story (was surprised how they weren't really put off by the whole thing and didn't seem fazed that their daughter cheated....more about parents in another posting). I called (who I thought was the other girl) and got her father on the phone. I went through the whole story again and he was totally and utteruly shocked. He was appalled and started screaming for his daughter to come to him (while still on the phone with me). She started denying the whole thing to him and he and she were yelling back and forth. It wasn't until she screamed out that she didn't copy off the girls project, that it was 'Sally' that did, did I realize that I called the WRONG STUDENT'S HOUSE!
You see, the girl that I had just called had a VERY similar name to the cheater that confessed the day before. Being new to the school, and teaching 17 different classes a week, was a bad combo and made for an easy mix up.
I started stuttering and apologizing profusely to the VERY upset father on the phone. Although he couldn't see me, I was definitely the colour 'Embarrased' from the crayon box. I couldn't believe I wrote down and contacted the wrong student's parents.
As this all happened before school, I went to meet the girl outside before the morning bell went and apologized again and again, and followed up with an apology letter home to her parents. I have never felt so badly and was kicking myself for making such a dumb mistake.
Moral of the story: Like Santa, I've definitely learned to check all of my names twice, after making a list!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Mrs. M's 'Back to School Top Six List'
Top Six Quotes Heard During the First Week Back At School
6. "My mom made a baby!"
5. "Mrs. M., You Got New Hair!"
4. During a song/game called "I've got a loose tooth" a grade 2 student
announces "Mrs. M, I lost my tooth!"(while holding his tooth in the air).
What are the odds that he loses his tooth while singing a song about loosing
your teeth???
3. (Pointing to my wedding ring). "Is that real?" (Me) "Yes Billy, it's real".
(Billy) "Pshht, my dad owns a jewellery store, he has rings THIS big!!"
(makes gestures similar to the size of a boulder!)
2. (During an activity, a grade three boy yells out loud) "Boys are GAY, girls
are HOT!" (Where the heck did that one come from ????)
And my personal fav.....
1. First day of school, a grade three student has apparently had a very rough
day. He comes to my class late after having to stay back to talk to his
teacher about his behaviour. He slams open the door and yells as he's
entering.... "DID I MISS ANYTHING GOOD? I BETCHA I DIDN'T!!
Kids definitely say the darndest things!
6. "My mom made a baby!"
5. "Mrs. M., You Got New Hair!"
4. During a song/game called "I've got a loose tooth" a grade 2 student
announces "Mrs. M, I lost my tooth!"(while holding his tooth in the air).
What are the odds that he loses his tooth while singing a song about loosing
your teeth???
3. (Pointing to my wedding ring). "Is that real?" (Me) "Yes Billy, it's real".
(Billy) "Pshht, my dad owns a jewellery store, he has rings THIS big!!"
(makes gestures similar to the size of a boulder!)
2. (During an activity, a grade three boy yells out loud) "Boys are GAY, girls
are HOT!" (Where the heck did that one come from ????)
And my personal fav.....
1. First day of school, a grade three student has apparently had a very rough
day. He comes to my class late after having to stay back to talk to his
teacher about his behaviour. He slams open the door and yells as he's
entering.... "DID I MISS ANYTHING GOOD? I BETCHA I DIDN'T!!
Kids definitely say the darndest things!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Happy New Year!
I've never not been in school. (I know, I know, grammar check needed!)
From elementary school, through high school, university, teacher's college and now into my sixth year of teaching, I've always experienced the excitement of early September and school approaching, even more so than the actual new year anticipation in January.
September has always been a time of 'new beginnings' for me. New classes of study or new classes to teach. The air is crisp and alive (except for today), a few new items of clothing are purchased (not to mention the countless new school supplies!), goals are set, re-connections with colleagues are made and the count down resumes until the big day.... the first day of school.
SO, although almost three months earlier than the calendar says.... HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! May 2010/2011 be a great one!
My new (school) year's resolution for 2010/2011 is to try not to lose my work keys on a weekly basis!
M.
P.S. (Is it bedtime yet? I'm wiped!)
From elementary school, through high school, university, teacher's college and now into my sixth year of teaching, I've always experienced the excitement of early September and school approaching, even more so than the actual new year anticipation in January.
September has always been a time of 'new beginnings' for me. New classes of study or new classes to teach. The air is crisp and alive (except for today), a few new items of clothing are purchased (not to mention the countless new school supplies!), goals are set, re-connections with colleagues are made and the count down resumes until the big day.... the first day of school.
SO, although almost three months earlier than the calendar says.... HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! May 2010/2011 be a great one!
My new (school) year's resolution for 2010/2011 is to try not to lose my work keys on a weekly basis!
M.
P.S. (Is it bedtime yet? I'm wiped!)
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Official 'Juice Bag' Story
WARNING: The following posting contains mildly offensive language. Reader discretion is advised...
I decided to name this blog after one of the funniest (and frustrating) moments from last year. I have told this story to many family and friends, some of whom encouraged me to write it down so I wouldn't forget it....hence this birth of this blog.
It all began during an activity some Grade 2 students were doing last year. Part of the activity involved having the students draw a picture of what they thought of, when listening to a particular song. One Grade 2 lad was colouring away, when he stopped, looked proudly at the man he just drew and proclaimed 'This guy is such a douche bag!", and then continued to draw.
The student-teacher in my room and I looked up and gave each other the 'Did I just hear that?, eyes'. I went closer to the student and asked him what he said. He repeated that his man was such a douche bag (confirming what I heard). I asked him what he thought that meant. He said, "You know, like a cool dude!" (Whew) Oh, ok - just a misunderstanding - great news! I told him that he indeed did draw a 'cool dude' and that that other word he said didn't really exist (a blatant teacher-lie on my part - but hey, this kid is 7).
Fast forward a couple of weeks. Unbeknownst to me, 'douche bag' was spreading like wildfire through the primary classes. A colleague of mine was away sick one day, when her supply teacher dropped off her Grade 1 class to my room. A normally difficult class, the kids must have had a field day with this poor guy - as they entered the room screaming and yelling, and he was gone, running down the hall faster than Usain Bolt, leaving no explanation for the chaos.
In they came, and right away one little guy starts screaming and pointing to Billy (the same 'I washed my clothes in the toilet' Billy from a few postings ago) accusing him of calling him a douche bag. Tears are flying and of course Billy is denying the whole thing. My lesson plan flies out the window at this point, and we all sit down for a class discussion of these 'not very nice words'. Apparently, in the last few weeks, the true meaning of 'le douche' had surfaced and was explained to me in full detail by the entire grade 1 class (and yes, they were on the right track!)
I went on to tell the entire class that calling someone a Douche Bag is not a nice thing to do - as those words are hurtful and shouldn't be used in school. I also said that I definitely did not want to hear those words again in my class.
All in agreement, we started the class. All was well for about four minutes before I heard "Mrs. M., Mrs. M., Billy called me a douche bag again!!!" being screamed from across the room. Followed by even louder howls of "I DID NOT CALL YOU A DOUCHE BAG......I CALLED YOU A FOOSH BAG" from Billy. So, I then proceed to talk to the class about how it isn't polite to call someone words that even RHYME with douche bag and (with me slowly starting to lose it) said that if I heard any more nonsense about it, they would have to talk to me about it at recess ( a punishment comparable to torture for Grade 1 students - they LOVE recess!)
By this time, there are only minutes left until the end of class, and I have come to terms that today's lesson was a total flop. Billy remains fairly well behaved for those last few moments, and no other rumblings of Douche Bags or Foosh Bags can be heard.
At the end of class, the group is lined up ready to go, when their supply teacher arrives to pick them up. On the way out, in the quietest voice ever, I see and hear Billy leave his spot in line, find his 'victim' again and mutter under his breath as they left the room 'YOU JUICE BAG!".
I didn't know whether to laugh out loud hysterically or cry in frustration. I decided to laugh, (once they had all left) and realized that I was totally out-smarted by this 7 year old. He 'waited' until he was out of my room to give the final zinger, knowing he'd get in trouble if he said it again in my class!
This story does continue, as there was follow-through concerning his language/behaviour (as apparently, it wasn't happening just in my room) but I won't go into details about that - as it's definitely not as entertaining as the story itself.
I couldn't have thought of a more ridiculous name for a blog about (hopefully and somewhat) entertaining teacher-tales!
M.
P.S. The 'Douche Bag', 'Foosh Bag' and 'Juice Bag' terms have fortunately 'retired' from the vocabulary of the little ones at our school......for the time being! :)
I decided to name this blog after one of the funniest (and frustrating) moments from last year. I have told this story to many family and friends, some of whom encouraged me to write it down so I wouldn't forget it....hence this birth of this blog.
It all began during an activity some Grade 2 students were doing last year. Part of the activity involved having the students draw a picture of what they thought of, when listening to a particular song. One Grade 2 lad was colouring away, when he stopped, looked proudly at the man he just drew and proclaimed 'This guy is such a douche bag!", and then continued to draw.
The student-teacher in my room and I looked up and gave each other the 'Did I just hear that?, eyes'. I went closer to the student and asked him what he said. He repeated that his man was such a douche bag (confirming what I heard). I asked him what he thought that meant. He said, "You know, like a cool dude!" (Whew) Oh, ok - just a misunderstanding - great news! I told him that he indeed did draw a 'cool dude' and that that other word he said didn't really exist (a blatant teacher-lie on my part - but hey, this kid is 7).
Fast forward a couple of weeks. Unbeknownst to me, 'douche bag' was spreading like wildfire through the primary classes. A colleague of mine was away sick one day, when her supply teacher dropped off her Grade 1 class to my room. A normally difficult class, the kids must have had a field day with this poor guy - as they entered the room screaming and yelling, and he was gone, running down the hall faster than Usain Bolt, leaving no explanation for the chaos.
In they came, and right away one little guy starts screaming and pointing to Billy (the same 'I washed my clothes in the toilet' Billy from a few postings ago) accusing him of calling him a douche bag. Tears are flying and of course Billy is denying the whole thing. My lesson plan flies out the window at this point, and we all sit down for a class discussion of these 'not very nice words'. Apparently, in the last few weeks, the true meaning of 'le douche' had surfaced and was explained to me in full detail by the entire grade 1 class (and yes, they were on the right track!)
I went on to tell the entire class that calling someone a Douche Bag is not a nice thing to do - as those words are hurtful and shouldn't be used in school. I also said that I definitely did not want to hear those words again in my class.
All in agreement, we started the class. All was well for about four minutes before I heard "Mrs. M., Mrs. M., Billy called me a douche bag again!!!" being screamed from across the room. Followed by even louder howls of "I DID NOT CALL YOU A DOUCHE BAG......I CALLED YOU A FOOSH BAG" from Billy. So, I then proceed to talk to the class about how it isn't polite to call someone words that even RHYME with douche bag and (with me slowly starting to lose it) said that if I heard any more nonsense about it, they would have to talk to me about it at recess ( a punishment comparable to torture for Grade 1 students - they LOVE recess!)
By this time, there are only minutes left until the end of class, and I have come to terms that today's lesson was a total flop. Billy remains fairly well behaved for those last few moments, and no other rumblings of Douche Bags or Foosh Bags can be heard.
At the end of class, the group is lined up ready to go, when their supply teacher arrives to pick them up. On the way out, in the quietest voice ever, I see and hear Billy leave his spot in line, find his 'victim' again and mutter under his breath as they left the room 'YOU JUICE BAG!".
I didn't know whether to laugh out loud hysterically or cry in frustration. I decided to laugh, (once they had all left) and realized that I was totally out-smarted by this 7 year old. He 'waited' until he was out of my room to give the final zinger, knowing he'd get in trouble if he said it again in my class!
This story does continue, as there was follow-through concerning his language/behaviour (as apparently, it wasn't happening just in my room) but I won't go into details about that - as it's definitely not as entertaining as the story itself.
I couldn't have thought of a more ridiculous name for a blog about (hopefully and somewhat) entertaining teacher-tales!
M.
P.S. The 'Douche Bag', 'Foosh Bag' and 'Juice Bag' terms have fortunately 'retired' from the vocabulary of the little ones at our school......for the time being! :)
Friday, September 3, 2010
Would you like fries with that?
I was filling up my tank with gas the other night, and I looked up to see three pre-teen boys mooning me from the McDonald's located right beside the gas station I was at. I pretended that I didn't see them as I'm sure they were waiting to laugh at my embarrassed reaction. Oh, the things you don't expect to see at 9:30 on a Wednesday night!
This 'event' reminded me of another McDonald's-related story that happened a few years back at my old school.
A colleague friend of mine at school was teaching Grade 2 at the time. She had a young guy in her class who was a runner. Now, I don't mean in the 'I'm training for the Olympics when I grow up' way....but more of an, 'I'm often going to run away and hide from the teacher because I want to' kind of way.
One day she was leading her group outside for an outdoor gym-class, when 'Billy' (who was somewhere in the middle of the line heading out the doors) made a bee-line away from the rest of the class. By the time his classmates told my colleague that he was running, (literally less than a minute later) he was LONG gone.
She ran around the perimeter of the school looking for him, without luck. She contacted the principal and the office staff immediately and so began the school-wide search for 'Billy'. Every classroom, washroom and closet was checked, thinking he may have hid. When Billy didn't turn up, they called his mother and then the police.
Frantic, his mom jumped in her car and started making her way towards the school. En route, she saw her son leisurely walking back towards the school, eating a happy meal. She screeched to a halt, put him in the car and brought him back to our building.
In short, 'Billy' ran from his gym class, down the street to McDonald's, 1.3km away from our school!! He walked in and ordered a Happy Meal, casually mentioning that he forgot to bring his credit card with him (remember, he's in Grade 2). They thought he was so funny/sweet that they gave him the meal anyway and didn't think of questioning where his family was.
The teacher, principal, parent and police were glad he was safe and sound, however a safety plan was put in place for his fleeting ways.
So again, I ask, "Would you like fries with that?" and ponder if I could get a free happy meal by just saying I forgot my credit card?
M.
This 'event' reminded me of another McDonald's-related story that happened a few years back at my old school.
A colleague friend of mine at school was teaching Grade 2 at the time. She had a young guy in her class who was a runner. Now, I don't mean in the 'I'm training for the Olympics when I grow up' way....but more of an, 'I'm often going to run away and hide from the teacher because I want to' kind of way.
One day she was leading her group outside for an outdoor gym-class, when 'Billy' (who was somewhere in the middle of the line heading out the doors) made a bee-line away from the rest of the class. By the time his classmates told my colleague that he was running, (literally less than a minute later) he was LONG gone.
She ran around the perimeter of the school looking for him, without luck. She contacted the principal and the office staff immediately and so began the school-wide search for 'Billy'. Every classroom, washroom and closet was checked, thinking he may have hid. When Billy didn't turn up, they called his mother and then the police.
Frantic, his mom jumped in her car and started making her way towards the school. En route, she saw her son leisurely walking back towards the school, eating a happy meal. She screeched to a halt, put him in the car and brought him back to our building.
In short, 'Billy' ran from his gym class, down the street to McDonald's, 1.3km away from our school!! He walked in and ordered a Happy Meal, casually mentioning that he forgot to bring his credit card with him (remember, he's in Grade 2). They thought he was so funny/sweet that they gave him the meal anyway and didn't think of questioning where his family was.
The teacher, principal, parent and police were glad he was safe and sound, however a safety plan was put in place for his fleeting ways.
So again, I ask, "Would you like fries with that?" and ponder if I could get a free happy meal by just saying I forgot my credit card?
M.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
I, Mrs. M., take thee, School Supplies, as my lawfully wedded.....
IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR! Hearing this annual Staples commercial is truly music to my ears.
You see, I have a bit of aproblem, infatuation, love/hate love relationship with school supplies. (The first step of recovery is admission, so here I go).
This 'problem' of mine dates way back to my childhood (as most do). A friend of mine and I started collecting pens in grade school. We literally collected dozens and dozens and brought them to school in massive pencil cases every day. She found out through her aunt that if we wrote to Bic Canada and gave them suggestions for new pen designs, they would write us back and include sample packages of their latest product. So we did that - many times. There was nothing quite like receiving a nice large package in the mail full of beautiful new writing utensils.
My obsession grew. I used to LOVE going to Grand & Toy. Grand & Toy 15 years ago is VERY different than G&T today. Back then (in the good ol' days) all of the pens and pencils were sold loose, allowing you to test them out before purchasing them!!! I used to love carefully choosing and trying out new purchases quite often.
Despite the fact that I owned so many, I always knew exactly how many I would have in any given pen holder or pencil case at any given time. To the point that my poor sister or mom would come and 'borrow' one from my room, and by the end of the day, I'd be asking everyone in the house who 'stole' my pens.
My love of writing utensils has now grown to include markers (Go Sharpies!), Post-it-Notes (super-sticky are the best!) and stickers (just found out that there is a Sandylion Sticker Warehouse in Markham!). My desk at school is all ready to go for next week with a plethora of brand new markers, a variety of sticky notes (thanks again sister for the Korean post-it notes of bears doing yoga!) and stickers galore. (I swear I teach because of the kids, not because of my problem!)
Each year I look forward to perusing the aisles of Staples (of course I have a membership!), Costco (great deals in bulk!), Walmart and the teacher's holy grail of stores, Dollerama (insert angels singing here) to fulfill my back-to-school-addiction (BTSA for short).
Finally, I am proud to say that I showed MASSIVE restraint the other day when picking up some "essential" 'That Was Easy' Staples buttons for an upcoming function, I forced myself to put down the amazingly priced, beautiful, clear bucket of 50 pens for only $7.00!!! (Although, I am still thinking about them).
So now that I've admitted that I am 100% certifiably crazy, I ask .... does anyone out there relate? Anyone? Bueller? :)
M.
You see, I have a bit of a
This 'problem' of mine dates way back to my childhood (as most do). A friend of mine and I started collecting pens in grade school. We literally collected dozens and dozens and brought them to school in massive pencil cases every day. She found out through her aunt that if we wrote to Bic Canada and gave them suggestions for new pen designs, they would write us back and include sample packages of their latest product. So we did that - many times. There was nothing quite like receiving a nice large package in the mail full of beautiful new writing utensils.
My obsession grew. I used to LOVE going to Grand & Toy. Grand & Toy 15 years ago is VERY different than G&T today. Back then (in the good ol' days) all of the pens and pencils were sold loose, allowing you to test them out before purchasing them!!! I used to love carefully choosing and trying out new purchases quite often.
Despite the fact that I owned so many, I always knew exactly how many I would have in any given pen holder or pencil case at any given time. To the point that my poor sister or mom would come and 'borrow' one from my room, and by the end of the day, I'd be asking everyone in the house who 'stole' my pens.
My love of writing utensils has now grown to include markers (Go Sharpies!), Post-it-Notes (super-sticky are the best!) and stickers (just found out that there is a Sandylion Sticker Warehouse in Markham!). My desk at school is all ready to go for next week with a plethora of brand new markers, a variety of sticky notes (thanks again sister for the Korean post-it notes of bears doing yoga!) and stickers galore. (I swear I teach because of the kids, not because of my problem!)
Each year I look forward to perusing the aisles of Staples (of course I have a membership!), Costco (great deals in bulk!), Walmart and the teacher's holy grail of stores, Dollerama (insert angels singing here) to fulfill my back-to-school-addiction (BTSA for short).
Finally, I am proud to say that I showed MASSIVE restraint the other day when picking up some "essential" 'That Was Easy' Staples buttons for an upcoming function, I forced myself to put down the amazingly priced, beautiful, clear bucket of 50 pens for only $7.00!!! (Although, I am still thinking about them).
So now that I've admitted that I am 100% certifiably crazy, I ask .... does anyone out there relate? Anyone? Bueller? :)
M.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
What doesn't kill you .....
..... makes you stronger, right?
I’ll never forget my first year of teaching (does anyone?) Fresh out of teacher's college, I was very fortunate to get a job quickly and I walked into my new school brimming with enthusiasm and had my 'bag of tricks' filled with ideas of community building and bonding with my 'dream team' class.
My first hint that I may have been in over my head was when the first thing my grade-partner told me was not to smile until Christmas. Laughing off his not so subtle advice, I entered into what was hands down the most challenging class I've taught to date.
Nightly episodes of Gilmour Girls and a glass of 'milk' (on the rocks) helped get me through that year with a class stacked with behaviour issues, not to mention some of the most atrocious stories of home lives that I've heard of. Now don't get me wrong, I know my inexperience in teaching in general (not to mention never dealing with so many varying learning abilities and emotional backgrounds) was a large contributing factor to that challenging year.
Somehow - the end of the year arrived, and I was still in one piece (although I don't think I've ever since been so happy to hear the final bell go on the last day of school since!)
Here are a few 'highlights' that I still recall from that first year.....
- having a brand new Mac laptop stolen from my room on one of the few days I was away that year (and no, they never found it).
- getting a call from my principal on a Sunday night saying that our school was broken into and that a number of my drum skins were slashed and all of my windows were broken (not to mention the fire extinguisher that was set off - leaving dust that was still found in my classroom years later - that stuff is CRAZY to clean!)
- being called a racist because I asked a student to stay back to properly fill out his homework agenda
- seeing a student projectile vomit THROUGH his clarinet and onto the carpet
- having a student toss his saxophone across the room - IN THE AIR!!
- splitting my pants (yes black pants while wearing pink underwear) after missing the step down when hanging artwork from my ceiling, in front of the whole class. (Note to self: I need to re-watch my Ladder Safety Video - "Slips, Trips and Falls', an Oscar-worthy performance!)
- absolutely losing it on a student after repeatedly asking him not to throw spitballs into the girl's hair sitting in front of him. I actually 100% lost my cool on him, yelling out a few not so nice teacher words.....and subsequently called his mother to apologize, after apologizing to him profusely as well. (Apparently, according to his mom, his last teacher called him A LOT worse! Regardless, I shouldn't have lost my cool on the kid - but I was driven to the edge that day - and it hasn't happened again since)
- having an intoxicated parent march into our classroom, unannounced, yelling and screaming about how the public school system has failed her daughter.
..... and while I'm on a role, here are a few other memorable moments over the years.....
- having a Grade 3 student 'fist pump' both middle fingers at me through the window after being sent in the hall to cool down after throwing his recorder at another child's face.
- Grade 1 "Billy' returning to class after using the washroom, soaking wet and naked (except for his underwear) explaining that he didn't want to get in trouble at home for getting his clothes dirty at recess, so he decided to wash them in the toilet (he didn't consider the whole drying aspect of his plan - poor little guy!)
- and finally, one of my favourite....while teaching (what I thought to be a well planned and engaging lesson) this past year, a Grade 3 Billy starts yelling out, in the middle of the lesson, "BORING, BORING, YOU ARE SO BORING!!!, followed by a complete meltdown (he was definitely having a bad day).
Despite all of my ranting reflections here, while thinking back on all of these 'memorable' moments, I can honestly say that that the good days (which I will definitely touch more upon in the future) truly outweigh the bad. The days that I laugh until I hurt and smile FAR outweigh the days that have brought me to tears. From a little guy saying "You smell good today Mrs. M.......like oatmeal!" to seeing a struggling student 'shine' when they finally 'get it', to receiving handmade thank you cards accompanied with a smile, reminds me that all of the 'hard stuff' is totally worth it, and it all has definitely made me stronger!
M.
I’ll never forget my first year of teaching (does anyone?) Fresh out of teacher's college, I was very fortunate to get a job quickly and I walked into my new school brimming with enthusiasm and had my 'bag of tricks' filled with ideas of community building and bonding with my 'dream team' class.
My first hint that I may have been in over my head was when the first thing my grade-partner told me was not to smile until Christmas. Laughing off his not so subtle advice, I entered into what was hands down the most challenging class I've taught to date.
Nightly episodes of Gilmour Girls and a glass of 'milk' (on the rocks) helped get me through that year with a class stacked with behaviour issues, not to mention some of the most atrocious stories of home lives that I've heard of. Now don't get me wrong, I know my inexperience in teaching in general (not to mention never dealing with so many varying learning abilities and emotional backgrounds) was a large contributing factor to that challenging year.
Somehow - the end of the year arrived, and I was still in one piece (although I don't think I've ever since been so happy to hear the final bell go on the last day of school since!)
Here are a few 'highlights' that I still recall from that first year.....
- having a brand new Mac laptop stolen from my room on one of the few days I was away that year (and no, they never found it).
- getting a call from my principal on a Sunday night saying that our school was broken into and that a number of my drum skins were slashed and all of my windows were broken (not to mention the fire extinguisher that was set off - leaving dust that was still found in my classroom years later - that stuff is CRAZY to clean!)
- being called a racist because I asked a student to stay back to properly fill out his homework agenda
- seeing a student projectile vomit THROUGH his clarinet and onto the carpet
- having a student toss his saxophone across the room - IN THE AIR!!
- splitting my pants (yes black pants while wearing pink underwear) after missing the step down when hanging artwork from my ceiling, in front of the whole class. (Note to self: I need to re-watch my Ladder Safety Video - "Slips, Trips and Falls', an Oscar-worthy performance!)
- absolutely losing it on a student after repeatedly asking him not to throw spitballs into the girl's hair sitting in front of him. I actually 100% lost my cool on him, yelling out a few not so nice teacher words.....and subsequently called his mother to apologize, after apologizing to him profusely as well. (Apparently, according to his mom, his last teacher called him A LOT worse! Regardless, I shouldn't have lost my cool on the kid - but I was driven to the edge that day - and it hasn't happened again since)
- having an intoxicated parent march into our classroom, unannounced, yelling and screaming about how the public school system has failed her daughter.
..... and while I'm on a role, here are a few other memorable moments over the years.....
- having a Grade 3 student 'fist pump' both middle fingers at me through the window after being sent in the hall to cool down after throwing his recorder at another child's face.
- Grade 1 "Billy' returning to class after using the washroom, soaking wet and naked (except for his underwear) explaining that he didn't want to get in trouble at home for getting his clothes dirty at recess, so he decided to wash them in the toilet (he didn't consider the whole drying aspect of his plan - poor little guy!)
- and finally, one of my favourite....while teaching (what I thought to be a well planned and engaging lesson) this past year, a Grade 3 Billy starts yelling out, in the middle of the lesson, "BORING, BORING, YOU ARE SO BORING!!!, followed by a complete meltdown (he was definitely having a bad day).
Despite all of my ranting reflections here, while thinking back on all of these 'memorable' moments, I can honestly say that that the good days (which I will definitely touch more upon in the future) truly outweigh the bad. The days that I laugh until I hurt and smile FAR outweigh the days that have brought me to tears. From a little guy saying "You smell good today Mrs. M.......like oatmeal!" to seeing a struggling student 'shine' when they finally 'get it', to receiving handmade thank you cards accompanied with a smile, reminds me that all of the 'hard stuff' is totally worth it, and it all has definitely made me stronger!
M.
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