I have been trying to see the positive in things, so here is a recent list:
1. My student from Kazakhstan called another student a bi#%h. I asked him if he knew what the word meant, he said no. I wanted to reward him because he used the word correctly (she kind of is one) but instead just scolded him and told him to not say that word at school.
2. One of my kids from Pakistan has said two funny things recently (be sure to read these with a thick Pakistani accent). 1). "Sometimes when I am eating my cereal, I imagine that my cereal bowl is a portal to Pakistan. I dive in and I am there!" 2. While reading a book about dinosaurs, he asks, "I don't understand: If people did not live at the same time at dinosaurs, how did they get this picture of dinosaurs?" I did a really poor job at explaining the difference between a drawing and photograph. Poor kid. He probably still does not get it.
3. We published the first (and last) edition of "The Fourth Grade News." I loved seeing all the kids really excited to receive their copy. I just had to stage this photo.
4. My students are really starting to love books. I recently stopped reading Esperanza Rising right at the good part. There was an uproar. "No!!! Keep reading! We have to find out what happens!" Very satisfying.
5. There are only 5.5 weeks of school left.
