Really Good Day

Yesterday was the first day I was actually in front of the kids by myself for the whole 84 minutes of class. And it rocked!

I tought them about the Aztecs, and they actually listened to me lecture! Honestly. They really did. It was a short lecture - they aren't being tested on it, so I was just presenting them with why they were interesting, and why they were important. Cool stuff. And then we did a thing on Aztec art - the kids got in pairs and analyzed two figures that were up on powerpoint. They were really astute, and really impressed me with some of their comments about the figures. So happy! And then, I gave them an art activity - they got in groups of 4 and picked out a famous human (any human, real or not was fine) and had to draw it like the Aztecs would have. They were all on task, and working well together, and the pics were pretty amazing. One group did a Barbie doll in Aztec style, and one did Li'l Jon with his dreads all multicolored and sticking up like a headdress, and his 'crunk' necklace hanging on a chain of skulls. So damn cool.

The kids that are normally a pain in my arse were really good and engaged, and the 84 minutes felt like 30 or 40, it went so fast and smooth. I was going to video tape the session, but forgot to set it up before class, of course.

All of which means that today, when I do actually turn the camera on, it's all gonna go down the toilet. Law of averages, you know.

Busy Busy

This long weekend has been fabulous. I have gotten lots done, and even had some downtime, imagine that!

I started my student teaching last week, and it has been an adventure so far. Some of the boys in class seem to feel that since I am not the regular teacher, they should feel free to act up and talk over me in class, like they would a substitute. I am going to have to do something about this, but I'm not sure what, because I am not exactly intimidating to them. I seem to have a smile on my face a lot, and I don't like to raise my voice to them, which means, apparently, that I am not to be respected. Others, on the other hand, respond to me really well. I'm just going to have to give the class a little lecture about it next week. Oh, joy!

Another nice thing is that the rain has finally returned, so I have been much more productive than the couple weeks before. I have the hardest time studying when it's sunny. Luckily it hasn't flooded around my place (yet), but I thought I was going to have to take of my socks and shoes, and roll up my pants to wade into school last week. The parking lot at the high school was sporting 4 or 5 inches of standing water across most of it. Apparently, there are drains, and they were not clogged by leaves, they just really suck. A lot. It's a public school, so they don't figure on it getting fixed anytime soon.

Mr. Duck has been doing a bit better these past couple weeks, his back is finally starting to respond to the shots. A bit. Hopefully the next round will be stronger... But it was even more expensive than they told us - the shots were another $600 or so more than we were expecting. I am having a really hard time with the whole not-bringing-in-any-money thing. I really want to get a job, so he can cut back his hours, or find something that is easier on him physically.

On a totally different note, I have found myself, while bored in classes, writing poetry lately. Don't really know why - the spirit has just hit me I guess. It mostly consists of crappy haiku so far, but I have fun at it. Maybe I'll post some, since it takes me so long to do a real post anymore!