"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!

Prayer

I was complaining about my 6th period class to my mom the other day saying how they work my nerves and how this is the first class I've ever had that has driven me crazy blah, blah, blah.  Basically being a whiny baby.  Well, my mom is a faith talking, praying woman so she immediately asked me what scriptures I was standing on to help me deal with my kids.  Naturally, I had none.  Those heathens didn't need scriptures; they needed beat downs!  She gave me a few to say and I was kind of like yeah ok.  Anyway, she typed up a prayer for me to pray over my kids and I must say I've seen a difference in my kids, even 6th period.  That's probably because I say it twice during that class.  LOL  The prayer is taped to my podium, so I can see it every class.  I've put the prayer if you want a copy.

Heavenly Father, thank You that the eyes of my students understanding are being enlightened to know the hope that only comes from You.  I do not fight against the flesh and blood influences in my student’s lives, but against the principalities and powers that have tried to claim authority over their destiny. I rebuke the controlling tricks of the devil's activities which are used on my students. I plead the Blood of Jesus over my classes. No weapon that is form against them will prosper.

I decree that my students are no longer conforming to the patterns of this world and its false sense of identity, but are being transformed right before my very eyes. I take authority over all of the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt my students. Thank you Father that Your goodness is shown daily in their lives, because it is Your goodness that will lead them to repentance.

Thank You for a calm and peaceful learning environment.  

Thank You for placing vision in their hearts.

In Jesus’ mighty name!

Amen

I think all teachers need to say a prayer over their kids.  There is too much going on in our schools to not pray over our kids.  Print this one off if you don't know what to say.  It works!

Back to School!

Christmas break is over.  *wails of sadness and tears*  Ok, back to reality.  Last week was the end to our 2 week vacation.  The 1st week back was not a fun one for me but I made it through.  My kids came back full force ready for something.  Too bad that something wasn't learning.  I almost had to retrain them on how to act.  It didn't take long and they were back to the little angels I know and love. 

With a new calendar year comes new attitudes and New Year's resolutions.  A few of my kids said their resolutions were to be better students, not talk so much, get their work done, and not get on my nerves.  Sixth and seventh periods were the classes that promised to be better in the new year.  I tried to believe them, I really did.  Their resolutions lasted all of 5 minutes.  They tried.  Bless their hearts.

Sixth period seemed to have gotten a lot worse over the break.  I had to get real honest with them Thursday at the end of class.  They didn't appreciate it but I didn't care.  They had pushed the very last button and I was done.  At the end of my speech, I told them I expected better attitudes come Monday or it was going to be some consequences and repercussion in Room 300.  God must have known that they didn't have it together yet so He gave us a "snow day" with no snow.  Today, they were much better.  I said a quick prayer before they came in the room and while they were completing their assignments I kept repeating that they were my favorite class.  When I talked to them, I called them my favorite class and told them what I expected of them.  They were really confused.  At least they were quietly confused so it worked for me. 

Last week we got a new coworker in the English department.  She's in a tough spot because #1 she's a new teacher, #2 she's inheriting someone else's kids, and #3 she's got a tough group of kids.  The kids made it very clear that they were not going to make this easy for her and I don't think they have.  She was trying to get her bluff in with them last week when one kid raised his hand:
Kid: "Listen lady, the only teacher that spook me was Miss G, so don't try and come play Miss Hard."
The new teacher was at a loss for words.  I'm sure she hates me now.  Thanks guys. 

Monday was supposed to be Parent/Teacher Day but because of the, um, snow it was canceled.  I can expect lots of conferences coming up soon.  Yay...
This morning I rewarded my kids with breakfast because they met the goal I set for them.  They had to maintain a C average for the 1st semester.  Now you may think that's an easy goal, it's a C.  Yeah, you don't know these kids.  The 1st nine weeks they had a 65 and that's with help from me.  The majority of the class was failing and were content with it.  I had to remind them almost daily of their goal in order for them to achieve it.  They finished the 1st semester with a 71.  I was proud.  You can tell that these kids are not used to people giving them stuff.  They tried to pay me for their breakfast.  I was like this is a reward for reaching your goal.  They insisted on paying me.  I had to make them keep their money.  It's sad that they don't know how to be rewarded without thinking that they have to pay for it.  Hopefully they will learn something from this.

I'm going to try and do a better job of updating my blog.  I either don't have time to update it or I forget everything that happened that day.  My kids are funny everyday but I can't remember everything.  I try not to entertain their foolishness but sometimes I can't help it.  I have to laugh.  Anyway, I'm going to bed.