Sometimes I want to blog. Then I read everyone else's blogs and they're fun and funny and cool and interesting....and I don't want to blog anymore.
But I'll do it anyway. Fine.
(My "reading corner" I'm attempting)
I've instated a zero tolerance for negativity expectation in my classroom. It's interesting to see how they respond to it because I think it's ingrained into all adolescents to think everything sucks. They're not allowed to groan, complain, or say any negative words to themselves or others, even as a joke. And if they do, I'm on it in a heartbeat. You see, after graduation and becoming a teacher they give you hawk ears (hawks have good ears, right?). I hear everything. So, when I hear a negative anything, I make them back track and find a positive way to say whatever they are feeling. They struggle with this but I give them some ideas such as: if they hate JB, they can just say, "Justin Bieber is a singer." Or, "You're reading Twilight? I like other books."
We're working on it...
This happened last year:
So I'm attempting to be more strict. (that picture happened the very last day of school. It was orchestrated with my teacher-friend across the hall) This year, these kids ain't getting away with shiz. But I'm taking the positive angle. Being disrespectful isn't very positive. Are you talking while I'm talking?! You should't be! Are you throwing toilet paper across the classroom!? You shouldn't be!
It's already been a week and no vandalism! Also, I'm starting to learn some interesting things about my students. Here are a few examples:
Innocence or Ignorance?
The class had to make alliteration name tags. One girl, Kortney, wanted to find a really cool word, "Not 'kind' or something like that," she said. So, while looking through the dictionary she came across the word "kinky." "Oh! What does that word mean? (reading the definition)...out of the ordinary...? I like that word!" So, her name tag said "Kinky Kortney". I didn't have the heart to tell her...
Strange Interests
While going around, presenting name tags: "I'm Legit Luke. I like football and moose."
Incidental Hilariousness
Introducing herself to a fellow classmate: "I'm Katrina. But I was born before the hurricane."
Fanatics
One boy told the class he knew how to speak Ardalambion (a language from Lord of the Rings). Pretty sure that kid rules.
And now... a list of interesting names I've come across so far this year (In case you're looking for that perfect baby name):
Griffin (Gryffindor)
Rush (as in that band I don't really care for)
Jagger (as in Mc?)
Jaycie (I have 2 girls named this. Is this a real name now?)
Fetatusi (Tongan. Cool name.)
Bronston (the T is silent)
Kirk (as in Captain)
Maizen (as in Corn Maizen)
Dayton (as in Ohio)
Caysen (as in Casey wasn't good enough)
Aniston (guessing the mom was a Friends fan?)
Ivory (I'm hoping she has a sister named Ebony)
Dallas (girl name)
In other news, Kelly and I watched a thunder and lightning storm from our back porch tonight. It was breathtaking. I only captured one of the many fascinating lightning moments. Enjoy:
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