Clever girl.

I just wanted to present a short follow up to my last post, regarding my first day in Grade Eight. It went a little something like this:
1. "Are you our teacher today, or someone's Mom?" "I'm neither. I'm an intern." "Can we call you Mrs. Student Intern?" "No, that's degrading, you can call me Miss Crimmins." "So you're not married?" "No, are you?" "No." "Good, we're both too young for that kind of thing."

Sigh. Chuckle.

2. "Do you know what the capitol of Russia is?" "Um..." (I am completely blanking out here and all I can think are the words, 'Soviet Union!' WTF?) "No. I don't know. I mean....I know, of COURSE I know! But I really think you should take the time to look it up in the Atlas on the shelf. Capitol cities have stars by them."

Phewf. Chuckle. Shame. It's MOSCOW!!!! As soon as I stepped away I remembered!

3. "And a sentence fragment is.....well....it's an incomplete sentence." "What's an incomplete sentence?" "Like..a sentence that lacks fullness. Heh. I mean...it lacks a clear subject. It might have a verb, but lacks a subject." "Can you give an example of that, I don't get it." "Yes, of course. Um... (I turn to the board and start to really sweat) How about, 'Let's go.' See, there is no subject...'go' is the verb, but there is no one for the 'go' to refer to." "But isn't 'let's' short for 'let us'? So let us go would be a full sentence because 'us' is the subject" (At this point I am really turned around and I still feel like it should be wrong but I cant figure out why either way. I chose the worst possible example. Surely 'let's go' doesn't stand alone as it's own sentence unless some pathetic author made a mistake. I try to picture myself leaving it as it's own sentence in a paper, and it feels wrong, but somehow, the logic sounded right.) "Well, why don't we take a vote.'

Seriously? I am still embarrassed about this one.

--- So, I have some reading to do. I have resolved to hit a bookstore this weekend and get a basic grammar book to relearn all the rules, all the definitions, and all the examples, and then make a strong comeback with the kids. I'm also going to look back over all of my blogs and count how many sentence fragments there are. I'm sure the number will be astounding.

xox

Show me whatchyoo Got, lil' momma

Tomorrow is like New Years Day! I am stepping out onto the third floor, the infamous "Grade Eight Wing," where kids can chew gum and the girls wear high waisted skirts and cute boots. They are practically adults and they've complimented my mascara before too (Maxxlash)! I've been waiting to be the Grade Eight Wing intern since December and it's finally my time to be resplendent along with them! This adventure feels different...I'm not scared of them, like I was the grade sevens. I'm ready. Show me whatchyoo got, lil mommas. I have an English unit plan that involves photography, poetry, and music. Design your own this, design your own that, and let's show and tell the world who you are so far. I haven't clarified how to grade them yet... how do you put a grade on self reflection? Can we really give E's for Effort and just leave it at that? Furthermore, is it too early to shop for a Spring teacher wardrobe? I think not. I mean, I have to purchase red pens, anyway... it seems likely that Costa Blanca would be right beside Staples.
On another note, this unit plan I've been working on, I can't wait to use it when I'm teaching in Calgary. I think of all my talented friends and how they would make the most unique guest speakers on arts and crafts, and I feel entirely expectant of great things for my future in teaching. Imagine Shane speaking about how to take a meaningful photo, full of light and depth; and Dalyce, speaking about the impact that music and lyrics has on the whole person when you're willing to look for more than a catchy iambic pentametre; and Alyssa, teaching them about arranging a portfolio of their best, most pride-filled work, and Liz; teaching them about words and big picture imaginings.

Oh-it's a bright, beautiful life we're staring into.
May we all have the luck of the Irish this season!
xox