Really?

Have you ever watched sixth graders interact w/ college students? If not, let me give you a little picture of just that situation.

37 twelve year olds wander around the University of Arkansas. Mind you they travel in well defined clumps. Typically 3-4 girls linking arms, and boys tapping said girls on the shoulders or pulling their hair. When girls see any one of the thousands of college students they proceed to say, "Hey, look at the hobos!" This deduction is made from the incriminating backpacks and the foot travel -- must be the homeless!

Once teachers enlighten the ignorant students about the facts of life (there are no parking spaces on campus), girls resort to greeting EVERY passing college student, professor or dog. In high pitched, monotonous voices, "hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, oooh he's cute, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi." Think: the birds in Finding Nemo - "mine, mine, mine, mine." It really is JUST like that.

So if you happened upon a swarm of middle schoolers sometime, please don't get irritated w/ the teachers who have no control over their students (much like I do w/ tantrum throwing children and their parents). It really is just the way kids when they start going through puberty.

Kids and Roommates

Funny moment of the day:

Since today is Thursday, that means it's "Benchmark Practice" day at HTMS. Basically, I taught an extra test prep class today. I don't normally see JL (see previous post from the fall, sometime), because he is pulled out for extra help. Great kid, love him.

He walks in my room today and says, "Miz Dean, can I eat my frekfist?" I say, "huh?" He repeats himself, "I didn't get to eat my frekfist this morning, cus the bus was late." At this point I'm clueing in that he's not joking around, but actually thought breakfast was pronounced frekfist. It took at least 10 tries for him to get his mouth to make the right sounds for my own favorite meal of the day. Funny kids.

Funny roommate of the week:

So Tara, the roommate, is a sometimes sub (when not in school herself). Recently, she was unknowingly assigned to work at the alternative school in F'ville. She successful kept a log of student sayings. My fav: "Awww man, I'm not gonna be able to wear my skinny jeans until I get this ankle sh-- off!" Oh so many reasons this makes me laugh.

Also, the other night, in an argument w/ none other than Trent, she genuinely calls him a "fun hater." A fun hater? Tara, I knew your hair was blond, but I really thought you were above the blond girl comments.

Happy April Fool's Day!!!!

So, I got April Fooled today. I even told Tara last night before bed, to be prepared. I was on alert all morning long - you have to be when you work with 11 and 12 year olds. During my 2nd class, I was called down to the office. "Strange," I thought, but off I went. The kids were doing individual work, so I figured, no big deal, I'd be right back.

When I got to the office, no one knew why I was called down, so I headed back to my room. As I round the corner, I can see that the row of desks in front of the door are empty. "Awesome, I've been fooled," I thought slightly irritated. I quickly checked the room and ALL 28 of my students were GONE. Not hiding, GONE. I checked the bathrooms and outside, before I realized they had done a really good job. At this point, I'm no longer irritated, but highly amused. After checking with/accusing 2 teachers and the PE coaches, I walked back to the room ready to give up. They had come back while I was in the gym. We laughed, they were proud of themselves, it was good. Turns out a teacher on another team took them to hide behind the stage.


Then I had several students stay after school to Bluetooth songs to me. It was fun. Might have to do that again. But if you want the Apple Bottom Jeans song, I can hook you up!!!