The madness of teaching for 15 straight weeks without long weekends/holidays is finally beginning to ensue. We are all losing it. My classroom has gone from whimsical controlled chaos to absolute mutiny. I need to show a movie or something...
Yesterday, with my gangstas in 11-11, we were reading an article on body language that I had JUST photocopied for them. It was last period and my kids were tuckered out. JW decided to take a nap with the side of his face down on the article. Suddenly I hear giggles and he says, "Ooooh my gaaaaawd!" He was holding a mini mirror up looking at a perfect ink impression from one of the pictures in the article stamped on his face. It was a picture of a morose looking man just sitting, looking glum. I lost it. It was absolutely perfect, there was not a line out of place. The man fit perfectly on JW's cheek. I laughed so hard I wheezed and cried a little. "JW-that'll teach you to sleep in my class." My gangstas are the best. They have also nailed an appropriate "late entrance" down (it's only December so I am quite pleased with their efforts); now, instead of sauntering into class late, they stop at the door and say, "Teacher, may I please come in?" I love giggling and saying no. It kills me.
Later, when marking a vocabulary quiz, I came across one that was a teacher's worst nightmare. It was a "match the word with the definition" type quiz (which already is difficult to mark, but I have learned it is the one way I can keep them from cheating!). Anyway, the smartest kid in my AP3 class left me a lovely little note after turning his "match the word" into disarray, "I'm sorry, I have noted that I should have used pencil." Heehee. They are so polite when they want to be.
Yesterday, Trish and I decorated the English Department Christmas tree with our Girls Club. It was cute-they attempted to merely toss decorations on the tree like other Chinese staff had done to other trees around campus, but we taught them how to stand back and reflect on "empty spaces" before proceeding. I think they only came for the cookies, but I didn't say so.
Countdown to Beijing Christmas: 11 days.
Christmas Movies Watched So Far: Home Alone 1, Polar Express
Cups of Eggnog Drank: 0 (sadly)
Mulled Wine Drank: 2 cups
Christmas Trees Decorated: 1
Christmas Music Downloaded: 2 albums
Christmas Tears Shed: Maybe1-2 nostalgic times
References to my Jewish Heritage: Numerous (and confusing to my students-they really don't get it when I say I'm a Jew and I'd rather be playing 'Dradle Dradle Dradle' than reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas.'
Christmas Mail Received: Thank you to Cyndi Chomick and Megan Mottle for their thoughtful letters and blank Birthday cards. I got rather wet eyed yesterday when opening up my mail at the office!!! I can't wait for more letters to come-opening mail is THE BEST!
That is all for today, kids.
Love you!
xox
P.S. Playlist: Nicki Minaj is AMPING me these days (check out 'Moment 4 Life, Blazin, I Am the Best)
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