I work in a school as a Math Enrichment Teacher. I work with students who don't qualify for Special Ed. services, but still aren't reaching proficiency in math. Since STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is a big focus in our schools right now, this is a problem. The students I work with are in fourth and fifth grade, and they say some of the funniest things. Below are a few conversations that I've had with them over the past few months. I've changed their names to protect their identities.
Background: Jamie and Chad are in fourth grade. Jamie missed our last meeting because he was absent from school. Chad and I went ahead on some things. When Jamie got back, I told him that he would have to finish what Chad and I did last time, and then when he was done, we'd move on together. Chad and I would be practicing his math facts while we waited for Jamie to finish
Jamie: "But what if Chad gets way far ahead and I get left behind?"
Me: "Well you see, I'm sort of like a ninja and I have a few tricks to make sure that doesn't happen."
Chad: "Yeah, she's like a math ninja!"
I thought that was a pretty big compliment coming from a ten-year-old boy.
Background: Amy and Ashley are in Mr. Hanson's fifth grade class. They were about ready to take a unit test, and I thought it would be worth our time to do some review first. I gave them both a packet of worksheets (about 5 single sided pages) and told them to complete them, working together and asking me for help as needed.
Ashley: "I have a question."
Me: "Sure, what's up?"
Ashley: "Why don't you ever give us homework?"
Me: "Well, that's not really my style. Why? Do you want homework?" (the truth is that the curriculum I teach doesn't encourage homework, since we work in small groups, it's better to do all the work together so the student gets consistent instruction)
Ashley: "Yes! I love homework."
Me: "Really?"
Ashley: "Yeah, how about we do the first page of the packet now and then we take the rest home for homework?"
Me: "We have 45 minutes left of our time together today, so how about we finish this packet here and you can ask Mr. Hanson to load you up with homework?"
Ashley: "Okay..."
Amy: "Ashley just do your work!"
Later in that same session, I was doing some grading, sitting across the table from Amy and Ashley.
Ashley: "Can you help me with number four?"
Me: "Sure, why don't you read me the directions."
At this point I looked up from what I was doing, looking over my glasses at Ashley.
Ashley: "Hey! When did you put those glasses on?"
Me: "Six-thirty this morning."
Ashley: "But you weren't wearing them when we came in!"
Me: "Yes I was, I've been wearing them all day everyday since you've been coming to see me."
Ashley: "Oh, I guess I've never noticed them before."
Background: Bill are in fourth grade. I went to his classroom to get him for our session. As we were walking back to my room, we walked past a fifth grade classroom where they were having D.A.R.E. and had just gotten their t-shirts and were taking a picture.
Bill: "Oh look, there's a po-po!"
Me: "Yep, that's the D.A.R.E. officer, his name is Officer Belden."
Bill: "Why are they all wearing the same shirt?"
Me: "Because they're almost done with D.A.R.E. and they get those t-shirts to wear for their graduation. Next year, you'll get one, too. Do you know what D.A.R.E. is about?"
Bill: "Yeah, it's to resist guns, and drugs and bad stuff."
Me: "I bet you already do those things, though. You're a smart guy."
Bill: "Yeah, I resist drugs and guns. I'm more into light sabers."
Me: "Oh yeah? Well how about you get started on this worksheet. Do or do not, there is no try."
Bill: "But the force is not strong in me today."
This is just a small sampling of the funny things my students say. There are more to come. :)
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Slacking Already... And MLK!
Okay, so I'm trying for one post per week, and already I missed one. Oh well. I'm sure a week will come when I am motivated to post twice. Anyway...
Today I have the day off work in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A lot of friends are taking time to post on other sites about what this day means, so I thought I'd post here.
Dr. King gave the ever famous "I Have a Dream" speech, which I'm sure everyone has read all or parts of, or recited it for some class at some point in their lives. The part that everyone quotes most, and the part that I appreciate the most is the line: "I have a dream that one day my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
Have we made significant progress since August 28, 1963 when Dr. King delivered this speech at a march on Washington? I think so. We no longer live in a nation where white people and those of all other races are forced to go to separate schools, sit in different sections of the bus, drink from different fountains or eat in different restaurants. We live in a nation full of diversity, the diversity on which our nation was founded. Sure, at the time America was first called a 'melting pot' they were talking about different nationalities of Europeans, but the definition has changed so much. Today, walking down the street, even in central Minnesota, you can see people of all different races from all different corners of the globe. African, Asian, South American, North American, European, Middle Eastern, Caribbean, anything you can think of. It's really an amazing thing when you think about it.
Of course, some would disagree and say that there are still tremendous gaps and gains to be made. And I would say that is correct. There are still disparities and still problems with our society. But there's no such thing as a perfect world. We all just have to do the best we can. So today, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and everyone who has fought for diversity and tolerance in our world today, we get the day off to share the same restaurants, drinking fountains, and tomorrow; schools. I have a dream today.
Today I have the day off work in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A lot of friends are taking time to post on other sites about what this day means, so I thought I'd post here.
Dr. King gave the ever famous "I Have a Dream" speech, which I'm sure everyone has read all or parts of, or recited it for some class at some point in their lives. The part that everyone quotes most, and the part that I appreciate the most is the line: "I have a dream that one day my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
Have we made significant progress since August 28, 1963 when Dr. King delivered this speech at a march on Washington? I think so. We no longer live in a nation where white people and those of all other races are forced to go to separate schools, sit in different sections of the bus, drink from different fountains or eat in different restaurants. We live in a nation full of diversity, the diversity on which our nation was founded. Sure, at the time America was first called a 'melting pot' they were talking about different nationalities of Europeans, but the definition has changed so much. Today, walking down the street, even in central Minnesota, you can see people of all different races from all different corners of the globe. African, Asian, South American, North American, European, Middle Eastern, Caribbean, anything you can think of. It's really an amazing thing when you think about it.
Of course, some would disagree and say that there are still tremendous gaps and gains to be made. And I would say that is correct. There are still disparities and still problems with our society. But there's no such thing as a perfect world. We all just have to do the best we can. So today, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and everyone who has fought for diversity and tolerance in our world today, we get the day off to share the same restaurants, drinking fountains, and tomorrow; schools. I have a dream today.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
A New Year, A New Blog
So, I tried blogging once before. On another site, which shall remain nameless, which I didn't like. Six months later, here I am again.
My life is crazy. And I myself get a little crazy at times. I started this blog to give you a little insight into the life of Venna.
Here are the basics. I graduated from St. Catherine University in May of 2011 with my bachelor's degree in Biology. I searched for a job until October when my current position fell into my lap. In a later post, I'll tell you about my job. I live at home with my parents and three younger siblings. I have amazing friends who I wouldn't trade for anything else in the world.
I have recently made a few changes in my life, and I am very happy about them. More on that later as well. Here is my goal: I am trying to post once a week on this blog, so you can expect 52 posts from me before you need to turn your calender to 2013. Please keep in mind that the ideas I write about are purely my own, and you are free to disagree with them as much as you want. I will try very hard to always express my views in a respectful way, and I do not intend to offend anyone.
Thanks for reading, Come back soon! ~Venna
My life is crazy. And I myself get a little crazy at times. I started this blog to give you a little insight into the life of Venna.
Here are the basics. I graduated from St. Catherine University in May of 2011 with my bachelor's degree in Biology. I searched for a job until October when my current position fell into my lap. In a later post, I'll tell you about my job. I live at home with my parents and three younger siblings. I have amazing friends who I wouldn't trade for anything else in the world.
I have recently made a few changes in my life, and I am very happy about them. More on that later as well. Here is my goal: I am trying to post once a week on this blog, so you can expect 52 posts from me before you need to turn your calender to 2013. Please keep in mind that the ideas I write about are purely my own, and you are free to disagree with them as much as you want. I will try very hard to always express my views in a respectful way, and I do not intend to offend anyone.
Thanks for reading, Come back soon! ~Venna
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