"Is this based on a true story?"

Last week my classes started their discussion of the Holocaust.  We usually start the discussion off with a movie or documentary that introduces the subject to the kids.  This year we watched "Paperclips."   Basically it's a documentary about a class in Withwell, TN (I think) that learns about the Holocaust.  They collected paperclips to represent the 11 million people killed.  During the film they had Holocaust survivors come and talk to them.  When the survivors came on the screen, one of my kids raised his hand and asked, "Is this based on a true story?"  I asked him if was talking about the Holocaust or the documentary.  He said the Holocaust.  My hand went immediately to my forehead.  Seriously kid?!  Unfortunately, he was not the only one who was slightly confused.  In the same documentary they were talking about the rail cars that were used to transport the Jews to the concentration and death camps. 
Kid:  "What are these camps that they go to?"
Me:  "They're either work camps or death camps."
Kid:  "So they're like refugee camps for Jews."
Me:  "No, they're work camps or death camps."
Kid:  "Well what do you do at these places?"
Me:  "You die."
Kid:  "Why?"
Me:  *hand to forehead*

I guess I can semi understand how they can't fathom in their minds that one man was responsible for the killing of 11 million people but geez.  They're really interested in what we've talked about so far so hopefully they'll keep asking questions and wanting to learn more.

I got a new student today.  He has a full grill on the top and bottom.  I just stared at his mouth while he talked to me.  I was distracted by what my 5 year old cousin calls "gold teeffes."  It was crucial!

As a teacher it's important to have your kids' respect.  If you have their respect then they'll do pretty much anything for you.  Friday I was in class with my repeaters when my classroom phone rang.  I was at my desk so I had one of my kids grab the phone.  While she was talking to whomever was on the phone I put on a little lipgloss.  The kid told me that Mrs. H wanted to talk to me.  I told her to tell her here I come.  Instead she said, "She'll be here in a sec; she's putting on her makeup."  I immediately corrected her and told her that she shouldn't say that because it looks like I'm just sitting in the room putting on makeup while they just sit there.  I got the phone then we went on with class.  About 15 minutes later, everybody's favorite administrator comes to my room to talk to me about a student.  Well, my kids thought I was getting in trouble for putting on makeup.  We stepped out into the hall and began talking.  I could hear my kids shhh-ing each other and moving towards the door.  When I walked back into the room Telephone Girl was standing up in a corner.  I didn't ask what she was doing because I was looking up some information for the administrator.  We went back into the hall and I could hear more shhh-ing and moving.  Finally the conversation was over and I went back in the room.  The kids were a little tense so I asked them what was up.  They wanted to know what the principal wanted.  I told them he was asking about a student.  Their response? "Man Telephone Girl you betta be glad Miss G didn't get in trouble for what you said!  You would have been in trouble if she had!  You were about to get it!"  LOL!  They were about to jack that poor child.  It's sweet in a mob boss gangster kind of way that they have my back like that.  Does that make me like the King Pin of my kids? 

The other day I was having a little casual conversation with my 7th period while they were defining their vocabulary words.  I always talk to Susie* because she's so funny to me.  The other kids think I'm making fun of her because she's SPED but I'm not.  She really makes me laugh when I talk to her.  Her intent isn't to be funny but she just is.  She knows she's funny because she laughs harder than I do.  Anyway, she was telling me about her ex-boyfriend and how he still flirts with her even when his current girlfriend is standing there.  I'm instantly interested because she can't spell but she can have a boyfriend.  So anyway, Susie continues to tell me that she's going to steal him from his current girlfriend because that's how she rolls.  I giggle. I asked her how does she know he's flirting with her and not just being nice.  She said she KNOWS that he's flirting because he still calls her.  I told her that that doesn't mean he's flirting, it just means that he's calling her. 
Me: "What do y'all talk about on the phone?"
Kid:  "School."
Me:  "That's it? That's not flirting, that's just talking about school."
Kid:  "Well that's not all we talk about. I can't tell you everything we talk about."
Me:  "Why not?  You better not be talking dirty on the phone!"
Kid:  *blushes and puts head down*
Me:  "Susie, I don't want to hear anything else."
Kid:  "But Miss G, he likes talking dirty on the phone!"
Me:  "Susie, I'm done talking about this.  I don't want to hear anymore."

I guess that's what I get for trying to bond with my kids.  They share too much!  Today, she came in the classroom hoopin' and hollerin' about something.  I immediately corrected her and told her that the classroom procedure for entering the room was to come in quietly.  She apologized and said she was happy.  I asked her why.  She said because she was "single and ready to mingle."  Sigh... 

Anybody know how long until spring break?  I'm ready!