So... It's been awhile.
I totally knew this would happen as soon as I decided to write out all the funny things that happen in the classroom so most of the hilarious things have been forgotten. But that's what happens when you are in your FINAL semester of college, student teaching and trying really hard to have a social life and eat a decent meal every day.
I am now student teaching in a 4th grade class. Let's be honest, the 4th graders just aren't as cute and funny as the 2nd graders. Which is probably why I haven't posted in awhile. They are just a bunch of ten year olds that like to be sassy and are way too cool for their teacher. Boy, am I glad that I don't work in the middle school.
Macho, Macho Man
The first writing prompt I witnessed in the 4th grade was about cutting the school music program. The students were first asked to choose a side, and because everyone loves music, everyone chose to support funding the music program.... except for two. Each of the students were to come up with three supporting ideas for their argument and we decided to have them share with the class. Here are some of their answers:
"I think that we should fund the music program and cut funding in other subjects like P.E. and football because those activities can injure you and can just cost more money. They are both really dangerous!" In reaction to this statement, a student who supported taking away funding said very matter-of-factly, "Well, if someone knocks you down and hurts you, you just got to get back up and walk it off." He wasn't happy that someone wanted to cut the athletic program. Every time I look at this student, I just want to sing, "Macho, Macho Maannn" because he is so rough and tough.
"The school music program should be cut because it is boring and makes people fall asleep."
**cue teachers dying of laughter in the back of the room.**
"The school music program should be saved because if it leaves, Mrs. ______ won't have a job. And that wouldn't be fair; she loves music!"
The Crickets and Seagulls- a history moment
Today I taught my first full lesson in the 4th grade class and I was a little intimidated by these thirty ten year olds judging my every move. I was teaching about Utah in the early 1800's and how it was isolated from everything else. I asked the students what they thought would happen if the early settlers of Utah had one of their crops fail and where they would get the food. One student went on to tell me:
"See, this did happen! The pioneers had some crops one year, and the crickets came and started eating them! And the Mormons didn't know what to do because it was their only food. So, they prayed and with their great faith, seagulls came and started eating crickets so their crops were saved. This was a huge blessing for the Mormons!"
I didn't know what to do.
Gangsta
The other day, a little boy didn't do his homework the night before so he needed to stay in at recess to do it. I said, "Yo Dude, you have to do your homework!" "I'm not a dude, dude." "Yo Homeskillet, you have to do your homework!" "What's a homeskillet?"
I guess I'm too gangster for the fourth grade.
Laugh Always,
McKell
