[Quote of the Week] Quote of the Week #20

B:  We should come up with a nickname for Boss.
Me:  Like what?  Boss is pretty short.
B:  How about Boss with one S?

[Quote of the Week] Leaning Pizza

The Scene: Journal-writing time.  The schmoopies are all writing.  In fact, they all started writing early--before the bell rang (!!!).  Schmoopie T. has a question.  Typically, there is no question-asking or question-answering during writing time, but since they started early I oblige...

T: Um, does the Tower of Pisa lean?
Me: Well, yes.
T: Okay... so... is it called the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
Me: Yes it is.
T:  Thanks (starts writing)

Why does this make the Quote of the Week?  Let's break it down.  I infer from the question that T. is intending to use a reference to the Leaning Tower of Pisa in his writing.  I also know that T. knows parts of things, has heard things, and is trying to put it together. He doesn't have very much mental stimulation going on at home,* and has to figure these things out himself or at school.  My guess here is that he knew there was something with a name similar to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  He wasn't positive that the word was "leaning", so he organized his questions to check his facts.  I LOVE it.

I'm not going to be sad that in his writing he spelled it Leaning Tower of Pizza, because A).  That's cute, B). I know what he meant to do, and C). He used it SO well!  The line he used is excellent!  It's posted in his journal entries here, and quoted for your perusal below.

"...I was trying to run away but he ramed me and stood over me like the Leaning Tower of Pizza, grunting like a pig, and staring deep into my soul."

Rock on T.  Keep asking questions and getting the information you need!


*Note--In the most positive way I can say it, I was blessed with a family that was intelligent and valued literacy, conversation, and thought.  Many of my lovies don't have this in their lives.

Quote of the Week #19

In the midst of talking to the class about something vitally important (to me), I hear a low-level ruckus.  I look up, see the cause of the ruckus, pause, ponder, and say...

"So... Kiddo A... Whatcha doin' in the trashcan, buddy?"

He looked up, shrugged, and went back to his desk.

Goal Progress: 4/20

Quote of the Week #18

One of my sweet-niks will sometimes say "based on a true story" after an announcement, or a story, or something funny. It cracks me up. He does it in a kind of announcer voice, and his timing is perfect. I will finish a free lecture (I think I keep telling you I'll explain the free lecture, but then I don't.) with a kiddo that needed one, and I will hear him say, "Based on a true story."  Funny stuff.

Quote of the Week #15

Our quote this week is of the "awwwww" variety.

The counselor was playing the Ungame with a small group.  J. (of the Mr. Sketch Marker) was in the group, as was R.   It is important to note that R.'s first day of school EVER was this August.  The short version is this: he has not had any formal instruction and is just now learning the basics.   On the whole my little kiddos have quietly and supportively helped R. and his sister learn their school skills.  They have never pointed out the severe deficits in their skills, and they tactfully help out when needed without making it obvious that they are helping.  In this instance, J. had taken on the role of "question reader" when it was R's turn without any direction from the counselor or discomfort for R.  (that's "awwwww" #1).*

Counselor (reading a question from the game): "Who is your favorite teacher?"
R. (thinks for quite a while...): "Ms. M."
Counselor: "Why?"
R. with J.'s help to explain: "Because she's so understanding."

Awwwww #2.

Now, I must do a wee bit of math for you.  R. has never been to school.  The only teachers he has ever had are the ones he has this year.  That brings the total number of teachers he has to choose from to... two.  I fully realize I had a 50/50 chance here (even less if you count the phase of the moon and the shifting tides of adolescent favoritism).  What makes me happy is not the status (yes, that would be numero uno out of... dos), it's that their reasoning is something I am proud to be favorited for!

I so very much want them to feel understood. I want them to feel cared about and cared for.  I want them to know they have someone in their corner.  This does not mean I become their bestie and give them what they want all the time (or bust out Cee-Lo songs like Gwynth Paltrow). I try mightily to fight the good fight and do what is right by them whether they like it or not.  I tell them often that I love them enough to nag them if I need to, and that I am willing for them to be angry at me or dislike me if it is best for them.

So for today, bless their pickled little hearts for being able to articulate what I want so much for them to feel.

Today it feels like I'm doing my job, and that is quite a powerful feeling.


*Note--I completely understand the need for R. to read things himself.  It is a fine line we are walking to teach him the skills while keeping him equally involved in what the other kids are doing.  I feel this topic requires more depth than this notelet.  Just trust that it was appropriate for this situation.

Quote of the Week #14

This week's quote falls In the category of things I never thought I'd need to say.


The scene earlier today...

A. is quite concerned.  He has stuck his head through the back opening in a chair and cannot get it out.   I watched him try to remove it for quite awhile (probably way longer than I ought to have).  He had tried soap and water and various other tricks by the time I said...

"Mrs. X, will you please help A. get the chair off of his head? It appears to be stuck there."*

*Note--In case you're worried, or require further information, the chair may or may not have been stuck.  It may or may not have been his ears catching on the sides of the opening.  It may or may not have been the tension in his forehead and neck (from thinking he might get stuck) that made his head too big.  I eventually removed the chair myself by pushing it down further, getting him to relax for a minute, then removing the chair (slowly).  Save the day?  Check.

Quote of the Week #13

In a discussion about "texture" in photography.  We* were listing common items and describing the texture.

Us: How about a waterbed?
J: Uh... pushily!

I'd say that's pretty much a perfect description.  In fact, I just did say it.  Just now.  I said it.

*Note--I am using the royal "we" here.  I was not, actually, listing any items for anyone.  Another caped crusader in my room was.  I just didn't ask her permission to tell this story.  So I used the royal "we."  See how we did that?

Quote of the Week #12

P: Did anyone see a pickle fly by here?

Need I say more?  Probably, but I'm not going to.  You have to guess....

Quote of the Week #11

Today J. was sent to my room with the direction to show me evidence of his most recent misbehavior. Had he used profanity?  No.  Had he harmed someone?  Nope.  Did he have an illegal substance?  Nein.  He had...

Wait for it....

...drawn with Mr.Sketch smelly markers all over his face.  ALL over.  What did he say when he came in my room?  Arms stretched out wide, grin from ear to ear (or was that the pink marker?):

"Ahhhh.  I smell so GOOD!"

Let's see... lesson learned?  Nope.  Don't think so.

Quote of the Week #10

Two boys are doing what middle school boys do--slapping at each other and running about.  One of the boys is the instigator and has been doing this quite a bit for a few days.  I call him over...

Me: This whole hitty-mchitterton and punchy-mcpuncherton thing you've got going is very typical for your age, but I would like you to grow out of it now, okay?
Student: Okay

We'll see if it the power of suggestion works.

Quote of the Week #9--removed

My Quote of the Week #9 was just too gross.  It was been removed for your protection.  If you want to hear something really gross, I will tell you by request only...

Quote of the Week #8

M: (walks up to the my desk and whispers) May I go see an Egyptian Cat?

Of course I sent her to the loo forthwith.

Quote of the Week #7

Working on colors with a very young boy-child with no school experience...

Me: Show me green.
D: Green.
Me:  Good! Show me yellow (putting yellow and purple in front of him).
D: Green.
Me: That was green. Now show me yellow (pointing to yellow and purple).
D:  See the TV?
Me:  Yes.  Now show me yellow.
D:  I watch TV later?
Me: Yes, later.  Now show me yellow (lifting up yellow and putting it down).
D:  This is green.
Me:  Yes!  It is!  Now show me yellow.
D:  I lay down now.
Me: First show me yellow (pointing to yellow and purple)
D:  Yes I lay down.
Me: Do you have green?
D:  Yes.  This is green.
Me:  Good!  Now show me yellow...

Quote of the Week #6

Student at lunch:

A: Boss, do I have rice in my ear?
Ms. M: (checks briefly for offending rice particle) Ummmm... nope...?

Quote of the Week #6

S: C'mon Ms. M.--Rock your cape.

So I did.

Quote of the Week #5

Ms. M: D. please get to work.

D: Okay.  Can I work and talk at the same time?

Ms. M: I don't know, I'm not sure I've ever seen you do it.

D:  True.  Can I try?

                      

Quote of the Week #4

Waiting for breakfast to arrive...

Ms. M: Is breakie here yet?

M.: No, but the Doom Kittens are invading.
Ms. M:  (very brief pause--almost indiscernible) Okay then, go ahead and wait in here.

Quote of the Week

D. is working on an independent project that requires him to stretch a piece of vinyl across a square shape.  One of the corners keeps bunching up and misbehaving. R. is following our conversation:

D:  This is frustrating!  I can't get this corner to fit into the square.

Ms. M:  Are you feeling like you just keep trying to fit that corner into that square?

D: Yeah!

Ms. M: Feeling like you keep trying all sorts of things with that corner and that corner just doesn't want to go where you think the corner ought to go?

D: Yeah!

(getting a hopeful look in his eye--thinking he may be excused from the assignment due to ill-fitting corners)

Ms. M: Feeling like you've tried as hard as you can and that corner won't follow the rules that corners need to follow?

D: Yeah...?

(the light is dawning...)

Ms. M.:  Yeah, I know exactly how you feel.

D: Yeah...

R. (to D.):  And you're the corner.  


Thank you R., for driving it home for the Boss.

He Rides Alone

In answer to a question about where R. was this morning, and which bus he rides:

"R. rides alone."

Which he totally does.

Quote of the Week #1

Student: "Oh....!  I still have a sandwich in my pocket."