snapping out of it

The end of the quarter means report writing. In Morocco we had to write about two sentences for each kid.... and I hated that! Here, the reports are largely narrative. Which means now I have to write a paragraph. For each subject. For every kid. It's exhausting.

This time around they were due on Friday morning instead of Monday. Which meant a bit of added stress throughout the week, but also a nicer weekend. To celebrate the finished reports and potentially make some new friends, the 5th grade teacher and I went to an Internations event. It's a social club for expats, so they had something similar in Morocco, but everyone spoke French  at those. The event was also at one of our favorite places here in Riga. We went a little early and ordered the fantastic sweet potato fries as well as some long islands. I do not usually drink on school nights. And by the time we were walking home just 3 hours and a few more long islands later, I remembered why that rule is important.

Friday morning came a bit too quickly, but I will face the consequences of my actions. Thankfully, I had the day pretty well planned out. Nursing a hangover isn't really an option when 16 eight year olds are around. And Friday is one of my heavier teaching days.

As I was walking to lunch, I passed one of my students. We greeted each other and crossed paths when over her shoulder she said, "Oh Miss Mikyla, I accidentally sharted a little..."

Right there. That is the moment my hangover officially ended and shock, confusion, and the 'joys' of teaching took over. Did she just say sharted? As in...? What do I do with that? Is she really just going to recess? Does she need new pants? Can't see because of her jacket, maybe she'll have to wear that for the rest of the day. Wait, how does she even know that word!? She doesn't know that word? Although... No! She doesn't know that word!

"....by the cubbies when I saw a spider..."

Right here is where the laughter swelled up inside. And relief over the fact she in fact did not shart. But then, with this one, there was a little doubt.

"...It was on my boots and I screamed a little- but not too loud- and Emma said she'd help me, but it was scary..."

Right here I realized that she had been trying to say "I shouted" or "I was startled" but her words twisted and out rolled Sharted. With a sigh of relief, we finished the conversation and she went out to recess. I continued on to lunch feeling so much better. For many reasons!

ps-- she doesn't know what that word means. hehe

The fart heard round the class

Each class I teach will be remembered for a certain trait or quality. My first group: spunky (sarcastic, silly, emotional, energetic, quick, clever... they had spunk). Last year: drama (drama, drama, drama). I am still a bit unsure about this class, but there is a chance they will be remembered for their flatulence. I swear, not a day goes by without an audible fart from one of these 17 gassy, little bodies.

I, of course, am not mature enough for this. At all. If I am deep enough in the 'teacher mindset' I can ignore it. But most times, it takes a lot of internal coaching for me to not giggle. I am pretty good at biting my lip to hide a smile, too. But sometimes, it's just too difficult to not laugh.

Today was one of those times. (I am already laughing just remembering it!)

One selected to sketch the scene instead...
please note the Angry Unibrows

There was some major drama at recess and lunch. It was a like a swarm of bees coming at me after lunch all shouting something about someone at recess and lunch. I put out a talking ban and said no one was allowed to speak unless given permission-- they actually listened too! I couldn't believe it!
They sat at their seats and everyone wrote me a letter about what happened and what I needed to know.

This isn't super relevant to the story but it's an enjoyable tangent: those that weren't involved in the drama were allowed to write me a letter about anything. I heard silly tales from recess and language class, I got a few sketches of me as a scientist (rockin a green lab coat and pick goggles), and another one telling me about an awesome computer game. One of the notes ended with, "P.S. I never liked tag, anyway." the unexpected confession made me laugh out loud. A definite violation of the talking ban. Whoops!

Anyway, after the letter writing, I told the students I needed a chance to talk to a few people before actions could be taken. However, the super fun group-activities I planned for our afternoon lesson were off the table. Instead they would have to listen me blabber on and on in old school lecture style while the talking ban remained in effect. (except lecturing is a bigger punishment for me than it is for them...)

They came to the carpet and we started to review ideas from yesterday. This may have been the most successful day as far as one-speaker-at-a-time and raising-your-hand-AND-waiting-to-be-called-on goes. They doing a great job of listening and we were half-way through the steps of the scientific method when it happened.

The little girl sitting right in front of me (who was actually the main person of interest in the dramatic events of recess) had just shared something when a very quick but discernible fart was released. I thought it was her. Feeling sorry for the grief she had already taken I tried to ignore it. She had quickly started looking around- surely, a great defense tactic. I was trying to go forward with the lesson but could see them fighting little giggles and trying to figure out the source.

It was then I locked eyes with the little boy behind the girl I thought to be guilty. He was calmly sitting crossed-legged, elbows resting on his knees, chin resting on his hands, and smiling proudly from ear to ear. Knowing this student, and that smile, I knew who had done it. And I burst out laughing. They burst out laughing. The talking ban was done.

We all laughed and let the tension and emotions go with our giggles. They started pointing fingers and trying to place blame. We talked about how it's a natural thing and it doesn't matter 'who done it'. I told them I think farts are hilarious and sometimes it's hard not to giggle. A certain few were still concerned over who it was and started to blame the girl again. She's become a bit of scapegoat due to her reputation. But the little boy interjected then, by raising his hand high and shouting, "No! It was me!" with another big grin and head nod.

More laughter.

Eventually, we got back on track. We finished the lesson. We talked about recess/lunchtime. We said apologies. We laughed more. There was probably more gas too, it was simply passed with less public attention.

I have to be grateful for his action, whether he intended it or not. Although, I am pretty sure he pushed ( mom :p ). It was perhaps exactly what our class needed at that moment.

tickticktickticktick

Prior to the school year beginning when I looked at the schedule I thought March would take forever with it being all solid weeks of school!

We had the break in February and Spring Break isn't until April. I joked with my assistant that we would be using our personal days then because we would need a break. I was right-- we are using our personal days. But not to get away. It's to get caught up!! She has some university projects to complete, and I have plenty to catch up myself.

Since returning from the break, we finished the unit on energy. The final project was an online poster they had to create. We were doing a great job following a schedule when suddenly... we weren't. The project took longer than expected (seriously, still not sure why!) but we got it done.

This past Thursday we started our next unit about the scientific method by taking a field trip all the way upstairs to the high school science lab. The middle and high school teachers had put out some science tools and set up multiple experiments to show the students. The fist task was to just walk throughout the room and see what was there. There was a very loud, giggly crowd around the anatomically correct body system model in the back of the room. Very giggly.

But they loved the different experiments and had SO many questions and ideas. I've begged the teachers to invite us to any experiment they may be doing over the next 6 weeks. They could write their name on a piece of paper and I think my kids would freak out with excitement! That's why I love working with this age! This unit ends with a science fair... and that should be quite interesting.

We've been working on orders for next school year. Of course, to make a list of orders, one needs to know what they are teaching. And to know what one is teaching, they need to know what grade they will be teaching. Currently, there are two third grades. But only 1 second grade. So, after a few weeks of suspense, it was decided that I will be moving up again to teach 4th grade next year. I am excited and bummed-- it depends on the day, it depends on the moment. The larger part of the time, I am excited. I will have some (all?) the same kids and they are an AMAZING group. I will have a new teaching partner who undoubtedly show me how to be an amazing teacher. Even in our few meetings together, I've learned a few things, and I think we will work well together.

I finally cooked something in the not-an-oven machine! Enchiladas. They were so good! The first night. Leftover microwave enchiladas are not so good.
I've also decided to move apartments this summer. I am looking for one with a lower monthly rent. And an oven ;) Also, a nice second bedroom and bath because I will have a roommate! A new teacher coming to the school next year and I will be sharing an apartment.

I bought a bike off a teacher planning to leave after this year. It's getting warmer and warmer outside and I've seen the sun quite a few times this week!! Maybe before the end of the month, I'll be able to take it for a ride!