So I Figured It Out...

This past week and this upcoming week are what will finally kill me. Yep. That's it. In addition to all of the madness of last week, I found out Wednesday that I am moving classrooms...If you're thinking that this is crazy 2/3 into the school year, then you win the prize! I am not sure when I will get back into blogging, but I have to grade, post grades, and setup a classroom all before Monday--Not to mention my getting new students on Monday. I'll be back. I promise!

The Week...

So this is it. This week is probably going to be the hardest of the year. Although it's only February, it seems as though "Spring Craziness" is already afoot! That wasn't the topic of my post, so I digress... This week is 3 things: the state ELA (English/Language Arts) exam, term finals, and the end of a term. To boot, next Monday, I get all new classes and students. This is going to be an exercise in keeping my sanity. The only break between terms is a weekend...Ce n'est pas de tout une bonne idee.

Sunday Funnies

Usually There's a Gruelling Application Process Queer: I am not paying for the appetizer, because it came out at the same time as our entree and it should have come out before. Ghetto waitress: You have to pay for it, because I brought it out. Queer: Well, when you don't get money for it don't be alarmed! Ghetto waitress: You're lucky you even got your food! --Diner, 51st & 9th Overheard by: Rich via Overheard in New York, Feb 9, 2007 They Just Connected All the Indian Burial Grounds Teen girl #1: So, which did they build first, the subway or the city? Teen girl #2: What? Teen girl #1: Well, the subway looks real old, like it was built in the 1900s or something. Back then, there was no city. Teen girl #2: Oh... Good question... --R train Overheard by: Alicia via Overheard in New York, Feb 10, 2007 And Feet Hobo falls asleep on hipster girl and breathes in her face -- she gags. Hipster friend: What's wrong? Hipster girl: I just saw hell, and it smells like Taco Bell. --4 train Overheard by: I could smell it too via Overheard in New York, Feb 10, 2007 Once the Boys Were Brought to the Yard, It Was All Downhill from There Father: So, what did you guys do at Timmy's* sleepover? Boy: I don't really remember... We had one too many milkshakes. --1 train via Overheard in New York, Feb 17, 2007

Raymond

I neither liked nor watched "Everybody Loves Raymond" the 10 years or so that it was on tv, and I think I am in the minority. The small parts I did watch were, dare I say, trite and mind-numbing. Recently while watching a commercial, there was a clip commercial advertising "Raymond". It has been a while since something made me laugh out loud every time I saw it, in addition to any time the thought of that certain thing crossed my mind. Raymond did it, and did it well. I don't know the characters nor the situation, but Raymond's parents were arguing, with his mother saying "I'm not just some trophy wife, you know!". His response: "What contest in Hell did I win!?" Classic.

Sunday Crabs!

Hysterical.

Best of...#4

And now, the follow up to my "5 Favorite Posts of My First Year Blogging"--I bring you #4: I really think that students are funny, but it's even funnier because it's not something they are doing on purpose (for the most part). I find that it is usually they just haven't learned the concept of restraint. Then again, it could be that I foster an enviornment of caring in my classroom, where people are free to say what they think without fear of ridicule...naaaah. I hear the same crazy stuff in the hallways! #4.

A (Not So Common) History Lesson

Gladys Knight & The Pips (Diana Ross &) The Supremes Marvin Gaye The Temptations Most people have heard of the Oscar-nominated film "Dreamgirls". Most people (or so I would assume) know that it is loosely based upon the 60's/70's girl group the Supremes. Now, I haven't seen the movie, but I have read enough about it to know that the story tells something of an up-and-coming group making their way through the music business. This isn't a post about the movie, but rather the basis of the movie, The Supremes. You see, in class last week, a student had mentioned that she watched a Motown special the previous weekend. Her friend, sitting next to her, asked her what Motown was. I think that I have to interject at this point that I grew up listening to Motown groups, since my parents listened to Motown groups. I must have had some strange look on my face, when she asked what Motown was. I asked if she had heard of Marvin Gaye (no), The Supremes (no), or anyone else I could think of from that era. No, No, and No. I was shocked. This weekend I procured a burned CD of various Motown artists to let my kids explore this very important chapter in America's history. This morning, as they came into the room I had Motown music playing. They were swaying a little back and forth, and generally enjoying the sound. It was the first time that I had played English-language music in my classroom in over three years. They were surprised that I would ever do such a thing! I asked again how many knew of Motown groups, and only half raised their hands (one student said his dad used to listen to that 80's stuff from time to time). I proceeded to tell the story of why Motown was founded, and the exposure it gave Black artists who previously had no commercial outlet for their music. It was well-received, making me pretty content I was able to impart a little knowledge on my younggin's. This is why I love my job!