Things Heard in the Classroom

I was substituting for the 6th grade teacher who teaches Social Studies to both classes.  We were discussing the Titanic that day.  We discussed the embarking of the voyage, we imagined a little (after reading what the book said) what it might have been like to have been on the Titanic and then discussed the sinking.  The class was very interested to discover that I had been alive when the Titanic remains had been discovered.  

"What did they find?"

"I think I remember hearing they found some of the dishes that had been used."  

"What else did they find?"

I told them I was in high school and couldn't remember a big deal being made over it.  Of course we didn't have a television so I didn't see all the hype that may have been made.  (They have trouble understanding that someone could survive without a television).

Finally after me not giving them the answer they wanted they asked, "well did they find any bones?"

I hemmed and hawed for a few minutes.  "Well did they?  Did they find any skulls?"

I told them I didn't remember anything being said about that.  

Can you tell that class had more boys than girls?

Things Heard in the Classroom

While substituting for high school sometimes all one can do is crowd control.  I give the assignment & also write it on the board.  I want to make sure the teacher knows I did assign it.  Then the high schoolers have to decide whether they are going to work on it during class period.  

After the assignment is given, the students' reactions are varied.  Some will work on that assignment the whole class period.  Some will start working on that assignment but will end up working on another class assignment.  Some will not work on any assignment and will just sit there and talk.  At the beginning of class, I tell them no talking.  But I have to tell you I do allow them to whisper.  It's so funny to watch.  They don't think I know they are whispering.  When I look directly at someone who is whispering, they will usually get quiet and motion for the person to whom they are whispering to get quiet also.  I never say anything to the contrary.

While they have been whispering, I have learned some interesting facts about the students and teachers.  I have learned which Bible teacher the students like best.  I have also learned the differences between the 3 Science teachers.  And I have learned which Math teacher is the best.  With each of these, the teacher that is liked the most is the one that has the most structure in their class.  

Two of the girls were talking about the Math teachers.  They say Mr. C works magic.  "As we learn a new section in Algebra, we have no clue what we're doing.  Then we learn a second new section.  We still don't know how to work Section 1 and now we have Section 2."  It continues like this until time for a test.  They come to school dreading their Algebra test that day because they don't know how to do any of the sections.  But somehow when they get the test, they know how to do every single problem.  "We don't know how Mr. C does that but he knows how to work magic somehow" is their explanation for what happens.  

I think that is very high praise for a teacher.

1000 gifts #15

141.  good Thanksgiving dinners

142.  medicine being under $20

143.  warm clothes

144.  "25 Days of Christmas" on ABC family

145.  pictures from a cousin's Thanksgiving

146.  peaceful Thanksgiving

147.  John didn't get sick this past Thanksgiving

148.  anticipated lunch with a friend

149.  great lunch and fellowship with the friend

150.  possibility of a place to live

Things Heard in the Classroom

Close to the end of the day (very close to the end of the day) a 7th grade boy expressed a sound similar to pain, frustration, etc.  I asked the boy if he were okay.  Surprised he looked at me and said, "Yes, ma'am."  

One of the girls said, "Mrs. Wagner, you should know by now that he's dramatic."  I replied that I was aware he was.  (I didn't tell her but I did want to make sure he was truly okay)

A few minutes later another student, who had been called to the office, returned to the room.  He made a big to do about opening the door and then making sure the door closed.  To return to his seat, he "had" to go between desks where there were obstacles.  So he tripped over someone's feet...which led to him kicking over a pile of books...which led to him bumping into another's desk and causing their work to fall to the floor...you get the picture.

I looked at the girl and said, "Talk about dramatic".  The whole class giggled.

The office returning student said, "what's traumatic?  Did I do something wrong?"  

I assured him he had done nothing wrong & stated we had just been talking about people who were dramatic.  He said, "oh what does that mean?"

I used his actions in getting to his seat to show him how he had been dramatic.  I ended my explanation by saying that someone who is dramatic likes to call attention to himself. 

"Oh", was his very quiet reply.

I subbed for this group of students quite a bit this year.  For several subbing days after that, he was very quiet when he came back into the room.  Toward the end of the year, he became interested in a girl.  This caused his dramatic antics to continue where he had left off. 

1000 gifts #14

131.  husband who provides for me

132.  husband with a sensitive heart

133.  inerrant Word of God

134.  faithful Lord

135.  finding a friend from childhood

136.  reliving childhood memories

137.  love from this friend's parents

138.  nurse at the doctor's office who loves the Lord

139.  ticket to the ladies holiday dinner

140.  lovely ladies holiday dinner