And yes, I’m on into my second full week of observation. Let me tell you - these kids are cool. Twenty-seven brilliant little Patels, some punks who sit in the back and haven’t done homework since God knows when… from among their numbers, I’ve found quite a few that I very much enjoy knowing.
Jack greets me in Spanish every day.
Blake thinks “urban” is a color.
I gave a clue to what “prosperous” means by quoting Star Trek (‘Live long & prosper’, with corresponding hand signal)… but the table of seventh graders took that to mean the term had something to do with aliens.
A “That’s what she said” was said… used correctly and rather cleverly. Horrifying. Seventh graders, I tell you.
I think I’ll keep ‘em. For now. :)
Feb. 28, 2011
*not a quote* J, who had just finished typing the very first page of his research paper, raises both fists in the air and sings the opening notes to the Final Countdown. It’s an obvious victory.
K: “This is just like the ab circle pro! But only a swivel chair!”
G: “I’m Jerry! Like.. Tom and Jerry. No. Jerry - the mouse!” (I only heard one side of the conversation, but it was humorous overhearing a tough guy compare himself to a cartoon mouse.)
F (an aide, as she helps a student write note cards): “Please please please! ‘A lot’ is TWO words! It’s a fetish of mine, please remember that!”
S: “Do you have to know everything?”
L (overhearing this comment from S to another student): “Yeah! She’s like my cat!”
L (overhearing this comment from S to another student): “Yeah! She’s like my cat!”
L: *audible gasp* “He did mary-joo-wana!”
C: “Liar liar pants on fire, catch a tiger by its claw!”
S (typed, not spoken): “Fashion has originated to upperclass.”
N: “Mrs Trivits, did you used to be a model or something? You walk just like one!”
(Explanation: there is a line of blue tape that divides every hallway in half to keep students walking to the right. I like to walk directly on the line.)I like these kids. Strangely, they keep me sane.
Mar. 2, 2011
Context: S giving a report on Red Grange
K: “So… did his mother’s death affect him at all later in life?”
S: “Umm… no. He just lived his life and kept working. But, oh yeah, he cried every night.”
S: “Umm… no. He just lived his life and kept working. But, oh yeah, he cried every night.”
Context: L giving her presentation on Louis Armstrong
L: “…And they called him Satchmo. Or Datchmo. I don’t know why, but I think it’s because he played… a… trumpet.”
L: “…And they called him Satchmo. Or Datchmo. I don’t know why, but I think it’s because he played… a… trumpet.”
April 3, 2011
E (in his presentation on Harry Houdini): “I’m not telling you he was as famous as Abe Lincoln, but he was almost.”
K (written): “In 1939, Sonja Henie ranked third behind Clark Gabies and Shirley Temples.”
A (written): “Babe Ruth was one of those people with a bad childhood and a really good adulthood.”
L: “[Of the Greek gods,] I would be Apollo… because he’s a laidback guy who just sits and writes songs about stuff.”
H (a teacher, at an in-service day): “Don’t tase me, bro!”
All the teachers (at the in-service day) sang & danced to “Let me see your tootsie roll”…
April 14, 2011
At the end of their quiz today, the students were asked to request something of a particular god or goddess of Greek mythology. The results were rather humorous. To me, anyway. :)
Z: “To Dionysus: I request a life supply of wine for my step mom.”
I: “To Poseidon: To help Japan for ‘what he did’ with the sea.”
V: “To Aphrodite: To make everyone believe they are beautiful in their own special way.” (That one’s not funny… just cute.)
H: “To Artemis: To learn how to be a excellent hunter and make animals obey me.”
G: “To Poseidon: I request to have full magical water powers.”
H: “My request is to Apollo. I want there to always be a happy sun looking over us and making warm. And for there to still be music to fill our hearts.” (Cute.)
A: “I would select Ares. My request would be to be chosen as his son in form of a full god and help in times of war with all of his special brutality and weapons.”
All right - some of these kids have captured my heart. And I’ve only 15 [school] days left with ‘em!
April 19, 2011
A: “It’s called art, Chris. That means you have to be mature to look at it.”
Presenting the bonus Teacher-Edition!
MD: “She’s the fish that launched 1000 ships! …Er…face.”
BB: “Well, I think the athletically-correct term for that is… athletically thick.”
May 9, 2011
(Written, not said)
One of my students, in writing his summary of the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, spelled “minotaur” three different ways within the span of two sentences:
-Minitour
-Minatore
-Minitar
Actually… kind of reminiscent of the writings before English spelling was standardized.
One of my students, in writing his summary of the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, spelled “minotaur” three different ways within the span of two sentences:
-Minitour
-Minatore
-Minitar
Actually… kind of reminiscent of the writings before English spelling was standardized.
J: “Aw man! I thought you were staying till Friday… crap…”
Me: “Haha, I’m sorry, J.”
J: “No, it’s just now I have no time to prepare your goodbye speech.”
May 11, 2011
A: “Hey, Mrs Trivits! Wanna hear a joke? Knock knock.”
Me: “Who’s there?”
A: “Tank.”
Me: “Tank who?”
A: “You’re welcome! …AHAHAHA! And now for my signature joke: What’s the difference between a guitar and a jellyfish?”
Me: “What?”
A: “You can’t strum a jellyfish!”
Me: “Who’s there?”
A: “Tank.”
Me: “Tank who?”
A: “You’re welcome! …AHAHAHA! And now for my signature joke: What’s the difference between a guitar and a jellyfish?”
Me: “What?”
A: “You can’t strum a jellyfish!”
J (male student): “Mrs Trivits, I’ll never stop loving you!”
Like three-quarters of my students: “OMG OMG I DIDN’T KNOW YOU WERE MARRIED!!!!! WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL US??????”
Not a quote, but a memory, nonetheless:
One of my favorites, E, made me a video… of pictures of himself and inspirational “go forth and good luck” quotes set to the Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”.
One of my favorites, E, made me a video… of pictures of himself and inspirational “go forth and good luck” quotes set to the Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”.
Yes. I’ll miss these little pips.
