Because I don't have enough things to do

I have decided I am going to start a blog about teaching simply because I don't want to forget about all the ridiclulous/crazy/sad/funny things that happen in the course of a day.

Which I have already done.


But.

I had a student threaten to shoot another student in my class. Since she had been throwing up gang signs all week, I took it pretty seriously and assumed the administration would feel the same way I did (that she should be kicked out of the school). Oh, but no. I was told that "She is 15 [and in 7th grade] and we are just trying to get her out of here." She is not getting so much as a suspension. So, I am going to call up the parents of the student that was threatened and try to (very indirectly) encourage them to call the administration and complain.

Also, A. (our big basketball star) asked me in the middle of a lesson on slope, if I had a boyfriend. I told her I would not answer that question, particularly in the middle of a lesson. So she says, "Ok, sorry, Ms. E....just blink once if you have a boyfriend, blink twice if you don't." So I gave her a long stare, and then looked away and happened to blink. She took that to mean an affirmative and has decided she found out a secret.

After school, R. tricked me and said, "Ms. E., what's that?" and I totally turned and looked. In the meantime, she took J. and punched him. J said, "Aw, Ms. E., how could you fall for that?" So I held R. in a headlock for about ten minutes.

I also jumped into a basketball game the boys were playing during an extra gym time that I gave them, and (after kicking off my heels), I successfully blocked and stole the ball from E., one of the brash young men in my class. The other guys did not let him live it down all day.

On Friday, I had them do a silly either/or as a Do Now. Some of the responses were pretty funny:
Chicago Bulls or Indiana Pacers:
"Chicago Bulls, because the Indiana Pacers suck!"
"Chicago Bulls--I like the strategies."
"I like the Chicago Bulls because they play very good and very raw."
"Neither--I dont really like that sport but I kinda do."
"Chicago Bulls. Duh, Chicago."

Cookies or Ice cream:
"Ice cream is healthier"
"Ice cream-because it taste good. And cookies are reallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllly good."
"Ice cream because I am very hungry right now."
"Cookies because their not cold."
"Both. You can't have one without the other."

Bears or Colts:
"Colts--they are a beast."
"Colts-they beat the bears and I got money."

Math or Reading:
"Math, your learn more." [clearly]
"Reading cuz you don't have to add up all these #."
"Reading-because it helps you imagine."
"Math because it appeals to my logical side."
"Math-I like math because I will need it all my life."
"Math, it's really challenging."

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall:
"Spring, its warm, but not stiffling hot or popsicle cold."
"Winter, no bugs!"
"Fall because its other name is Autumn and that's when I was born."
"Fall--The smells, thanksgiving, halloween."

Going to bed early or late:
"Late because I be doing things."
"Late, the best things happen."
"Late cause it's lame to go to bed early."
"At the time I am supposed: I am responsible."
"Late, who likes going to bed early?"
"Early because you become more aware of anything."