Yesterday at school, I was in the middle of teaching my 6th grade Math class when during independent work time one of my students came up and asked, "Can I go tell my mom something?" (His mom was volunteering at school that day just down the hall from our classroom.) I asked the student, "Is this an emergency and can it wait?" He replied,
"Kind of, I just really need to tell her something." I then agreed to let him go.
When he came back he stopped in front of me and said, "Do you remember the toothpaste I had on my Science elements project? Well, it is in my backpack and has gotten all over everything in there." I paused for a moment and then asked, "Why did you have the toothpaste in your back pack? That was over a week ago since the project was due." He just shrugged his shoulders. I then asked, "What do you mean it is all over everything?"
He sheepishly replied, "All over my math homework, my books, and pens and pencils."
Knowing his mom, I knew she was probably laughing hysterically at this fiasco! I then asked him, "What did your mom do when you told her?" He pointed to the classroom door and said, "She is laughing."
Of course, we then had to stop and enjoy the laugh ourselves! As he is unloading his back pack and the whole class is helping him clean up his supplies and books, his mother comments, "At least everything will be minty fresh!"
There are times it is just not worth getting upset over certain things. He was so worried that he had ruined his books and his work. Once we cleaned everything up, it was not so bad. Everything was okay, we got to have a good laugh, and this young man even earned a new nickname.......Captain Flouride!
Just another day in the life of a 6th grade teacher!
After the third week of school, I feel settled in what I am teaching. Once again, I have a few different assignments this year. I am teaching Science to the 6th graders and helping teach PE to all the Jr. High students. I am excited having Science again even though it is not my favorite subject. We gave already completed a couple of experiments which the students thoroughly enjoyed! We did the chemical reaction experiment with the vinegar and baking soda and we did a Compound or Mixture experiment with Koolaid.
My sixth graders are one of those classes that you love! These students have an eagerness to learn and want to do well. I call them my 1950s class. Only about three have cell phones and they are so sweet and considerate of everyone. Kudos to the parents for doing such a good job with them!
The parents have been SO supportive already. When working at a small private school, you don't always have access to the latest technology or any of the other latest resources to teach with. My parents came to me and asked for a wish list. I have a hard time with this because I know that these parents already dig in their pockets to send their kids here, and to ask for them to do more is difficult. They wanted a wish list and I gave it to them. They purchased for me a flat screen HDMI TV and an Apple TV! I was so excited! I have only had it a couple of days, but I am so looking forward to using this in every capacity! If you use one and have some great ideas for the classroom, please share! I would love to hear what others are doing with their Apple TV.
