Weekend Update

Do you ever have weekends, or days even, when you feel like the world is right? That, as cliche as it sounds, God has completely loved you? This weekend was that, for me.

Community is vital to my survival on this earth, emotionally, spiritually and even physically. This weekend I saw that lived out through a variety of venues. First, the Halloween party, attended by not only old friends, but new, also. Second, a trip to the woods for good conversation with people that love my God. And finally, friends to give me 2 new couches, and friends to help me move the old one out!

I am slightly stunned by the love I received this weekend.

Looking back...

I just looked back at all my previous posts, and it would seem to the casual reader that I'm an OVERLY optimistic person. Don't be deceived! I must only write after really good days... Another reason I'll never been classified "emo."

Futbol!

So after 3 afternoons of soccer practice, I AM a convert. I love it! Ok, maybe that is an exaggeration, as I have not yet actually played the game. However, here are a few reasons it is wonderful:

1. The kids LOVE it, and I do mean LOVE. This is amazing, because as a teacher I'm forcing kids into submission, but this activity requires no forcing.

2. I get to be outside. We take about an 8 minute walk to some soccer fields, which is a great transition from being in the classroom all day to my evenings.

3. I get to blow a whistle.

4. 95% of the kids playing soccer after school are Hispanic. This means LOTS of Spanish, and some great conversations about culture --- which I love!

All in all, this is one of the most fun jobs I've EVER had.

5 Week Reports

Teachers always complain about parent teacher conferences, because they are looong weeks and even loooonger days. Don't ask how that works, but it does. I, on the other hand, love this week. And here's why:

You know when you visit a dear friend's home, and you go "Ahh ha! That's why he/she is THAT way." I love knowing and understanding my friends. And 5 weeks into the school year, I really feel like most of my students are friends. And parent teacher conferences give me a glimpse into their home. These fifteen minute visits with parents and often siblings helps me understand and love my newest friends better.

On a side note: I'm pretty pumped about TV this week. SURVIVOR (week 2 of China), Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice (shows great promise for greatness).

Ok, that's all.

You're Not Supposed to Have Favorites.

JL (abreviated to protect my job) is a student on my team at school. He is from the Marshall Islands, and although I can't describe that accent that accompanies these students, I do know that he has THE accent. JL is short - probably only 4 ft tall. That's short for 6th grade. Despite his learning disabilities, JL is one of the happiest kids I know.

The other day, JL had another students marker. Just before he threw it to her, I stopped him. "Walk it," I instructed. He stands up and dances across the room singing, "Walk it out..." I probably shouldn't have laughed, but I definitely did!

Recently he was given a new schedule, and he know longer comes to my math class. At least, he isn't supposed to. Today alone, JL snuck into my room 3 times. It's pretty funny, and I don't really mind. Each time I say, "JL go to class," he responds, "Ahhh, man!" He then smiles, hugs me and leaves. I LOVE IT!

I NEED HELP!

So, somehow, I just was assigned/got volunteered to teach/coach soccer after school two days a week. What's the bad news, you ask? Um, well... I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT SOCCER. I'VE NEVER PLAYED A DAY IN MY LIFE! Ooops.

Thus, I pose the question: Anyone wanna help? Anyone want to teach me the rules? I'll take any and all advice, lessons, help, etc.

It's Love

I'm starting to love them. Really. The rough nature of last week made it difficult to love my students, however, I'm coming around. This probably says something about how I stink at loving people when I'm stressed or in less-than-perfect situations, but... the point is: I really love them, now.

My favorite part of the day is right after lunch. I get my homebase kids back for 30 minutes of "Enrichment" time. I'm still not exactly sure what I'm SUPPOSED to be doing with them during this time, but I've found something I love doing with them at this time. I read. We all lay/lie around the room, while I read aloud a book called "Things Not Seen." Hilarious, the book, that is.

I love that I can lay/lie on the floor in the middle of the day at work and it is seen as "being relevant" to my students. I also love how sixth graders still LOVE read-alouds. And finally, I love listening to their own connections to the stories.


Side note: I realize I don't know the difference between lay and lie, and I don't think I care. I teach math and reading, not grammar. Thus, the slashes.