Last week we started learning division in 3A and just as I had expected my kids went absolutely nuts for it. They were so excited to see that since they already knew how to multiply, division was just "easy peasy cheesy weasy lemon squeezy" for them. Then, on Friday, I realized I had to teach something that terrified me to the very bone. The next step was to teach them about... variables. Dun, Dun, DUN! I have a very distinct memory from 3rd grade of my older sister, Sarah, trying to tell me that when I got older I would learn math that had letters in it, like a^2+b^2=c^2. I seriously thought she was messing with me, trying to scare me into thinking math was hard. Letters in a math equation? How absurd! Though my kids are not quite ready for the Pythagorean theorem, they were totally ready to solve problems like...
12 / p = 3 therefore p = 4
I had tried to tell them that the writers of our math book had made a terrible mistake and put letters in math; I mean, its impossible right? But then when we took a closer look at the "missing factor" problems we had learned to solve over a month ago, we realized a variable was just a place holder, similar to the "blanks" the missing factor problems had. What a bunch of smarty pants :)
This week I got to teach about the different systems of the body. When we got to the digestive system, I asked the kids what functions it had and one kid said, "It makes your food go away!" Of course that answer was followed by my question of, "Well where does the food go?" I got a lot of "ewww Mees Ana!" comments and pretend "bomit" sounds. Considering I think poop is one of the more hilarious things in life and is also the topic of many of my conversations, I decided it was necessary to desensitize them about the topic right off the bat. It sounded a little like this:
Miss Hannah: "What!? I don't understand why you are saying 'ew' and making puking noises!"
Class: "Well, you are talking about the POO. It is gross, Mees Ana!"
M.H: "Well, why?! I mean, it may smell funny and look a little weird, but doesn't everyone do it?"
Class: "Yeah..." as timidly as possible
M.H: "Well then I don't think it is anything to get all upset about. You know what is really gross? NOT pooping! Where would your food go if you didn't poop it out?
Class: "It would go all over your body and you would be FAT!"
M.H: "Yeah! And then you would explode! And poop would go everywhere! Now that, my friends, is gross."
Hopefully this opened the door to many a poop stories because that open door would make my classroom even more entertaining than it already is.
Today we had a half day and we (the teachers) actually got to go home at noon! But, of course, there's a catch. The school is hosting an Art and Music Festival from 4:00-8:00pm tonight so we will be heading back to school shortly for that. I am pretty pumped about it though because all of the students are going crazy for it. I'm hoping to buy some elementary school artwork as well so though this three hour break was a tease, it will be fun to see all our artsy students show off their hard work.
Last weekend I went to the beach with some awesome friends and did almost nothing. The only reason I am bringing it up is because I want to post the following picture of Tom and his surf board. It was actually a wave that broke it in half, though it looks like something only a shark would be capable of.
Alright, I'll end this boring entry by telling you that in two days we will be going to the Shakira concert! I've been excited about this since February and have loved Shakira since I was in 6th grade so I think its safe to say I am really looking forward to the weekend. Secondly, and more importantly, my mom will be here in a week from tomorrow! I really just can't wait for her to see all the things I've been explaining to her all year and have her meet my students (who already love her, of course) and watch her react to all the wonders of Guatemala. Also, she's bringing me a bunch of junk so that will be nice :)
Hopefully April won't be a complete disappointment blogging-wise, but I'm thinking that though I will have a lot to write about, I might choose to play rather than type.
This week I got to teach about the different systems of the body. When we got to the digestive system, I asked the kids what functions it had and one kid said, "It makes your food go away!" Of course that answer was followed by my question of, "Well where does the food go?" I got a lot of "ewww Mees Ana!" comments and pretend "bomit" sounds. Considering I think poop is one of the more hilarious things in life and is also the topic of many of my conversations, I decided it was necessary to desensitize them about the topic right off the bat. It sounded a little like this:
Miss Hannah: "What!? I don't understand why you are saying 'ew' and making puking noises!"
Class: "Well, you are talking about the POO. It is gross, Mees Ana!"
M.H: "Well, why?! I mean, it may smell funny and look a little weird, but doesn't everyone do it?"
Class: "Yeah..." as timidly as possible
M.H: "Well then I don't think it is anything to get all upset about. You know what is really gross? NOT pooping! Where would your food go if you didn't poop it out?
Class: "It would go all over your body and you would be FAT!"
M.H: "Yeah! And then you would explode! And poop would go everywhere! Now that, my friends, is gross."
Hopefully this opened the door to many a poop stories because that open door would make my classroom even more entertaining than it already is.
Today we had a half day and we (the teachers) actually got to go home at noon! But, of course, there's a catch. The school is hosting an Art and Music Festival from 4:00-8:00pm tonight so we will be heading back to school shortly for that. I am pretty pumped about it though because all of the students are going crazy for it. I'm hoping to buy some elementary school artwork as well so though this three hour break was a tease, it will be fun to see all our artsy students show off their hard work.
Last weekend I went to the beach with some awesome friends and did almost nothing. The only reason I am bringing it up is because I want to post the following picture of Tom and his surf board. It was actually a wave that broke it in half, though it looks like something only a shark would be capable of.
 |
| Surf Monsterrrrrrrrrr |
Hopefully April won't be a complete disappointment blogging-wise, but I'm thinking that though I will have a lot to write about, I might choose to play rather than type.
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