Happenings

We have been practicing for end of year testing and there was a question about building a snowman. The question had started to explain how to build a snowman. The kids in the story had already rolled two snowballs. The question asked what the kids would do next. Clearly, build a third snowball would be the correct answer, but I had one student start to argue with me about how not every snowman would have 3 snowballs. While I actually agree with him and that clearly shows why testing is ridiculous I tried to explain that when they take the test they need to keep in mind what would most likely happen. And then I asked, "How many balls does a snowman usually have?" Take a moment...yep. I think that if I could have kept my own composure nobody would have noticed, but apparently I am too immature to handle myself, because I completely started laughing. This then caused about 1/2 my class to laugh too. I am a terrible example...but it was funny!

For end of year review we have been doing Olympics. Each team got to pick a team and then I made a bulletin board with the countries flags. Then, we have Olympic events that review math and the winning teams get medals (paper ones that I tape under their flag). Well, I had been feeling kind of bad, because all of my ideas gave the boys an advantage since they were all sports. Like throwing a football through a hoop or getting a bouncy ball into a box. So, I decided to do a jump roping contest for one of the games. The kids needed to do 25 jumps in 20 seconds to earn the point. I didn't know the pure enjoyment I would get from this. Some of the boys could not handle it and it was hilarious to watch them try. I kept it to myself for the most part, but then one of my students, C, got up and was trying. He has a really high pitched voice which made this extra funny to me. He was trying so hard, but really just tripping all over the place, hitting himself in the face, and laughing. His high pitched laugh about kills me alone. With the added amusement of his attempts to jump rope I about died laughing. I had a serious laughing attack and could not stop. It was like when you are 10 and you are having a sleepover, but your parents want you to be quiet and become angry with you; which for some reason just makes you laugh harder. I knew I should stop, because I didn't want to make him feel bad and I also knew that it would get the kids all crazy, but I just couldn't stop. Afterward I pulled him over and made sure I didn't make him feel bad. I told him I just thought he was so cute. He is the type of kid who can totally handle something like that and laugh with you. I like that about him.

My kids were bad when I was out for surgery. When I got back I was not happy with them. But the funniest thing was that I got letters from them while I was still gone and one girl said that I needed to "hurry and get back, because the class was going crazy" I let them have it when I got back, but they have been pretty good after.

One of my students, R, is very sweet and caring. She would seem to be a "teacher's pet" but truly she is just so aware of other people. Anyway when I went back to school after surgery she came up to me and said, "Miss Collett I just feel so bad for you. I just can't even look at you. It makes me so sad." I just kind of laughed and told her she was sweet, but I was alright. She is always like that though. What a cutie!

For those of you who like Brian Regan this is for you. You would be amazed how many 3rd graders can quote Brian Regan. I don't know what it is, but it sure makes me laugh every time they repeat one of his jokes. The other day I said something about baseball and all of the sudden one of my students said, "whole game, half snow cone" I was dying. I kind of love it!

Lastly, one of my students from last year ice skates and I never got to watch her. She comes in my room after school or at recess to say hello and a few weeks ago she invited me to her ice skating performance. I told her I was there for sure. After that is was constantly coming in asking me if I was going to make it to her performance. So, when it came along I had to go. It was kind of hard to find a ride there, but I managed it and was able to go. I was really impressed with the program and she did a great job. It was so hard to get there that I kept wondering if it was really worth it especially since she isn't even one of my students anymore. But when she came running at me after the program was over and almost knock me over with a big hug I knew it was completely worth it. She had the biggest grin on her face and I loved it. I was so glad I went.

3 more weeks of school! I can do it, I can do it, I can do it. Can I?