Hooray for Snow. I thought I wouldn't want the snow day because I'm giving quizzes today, which is an easy day. But hey, now I have nothing to do but relax and update my blog. Although, I can't wait to read my quizzes... as one of the other bio teachers got this reply to the question "Explain Natural Selection in your own words":
'Natural Selection is also called survival of the fetus' Oh man I can't wait.
I recently had my seniors (environmental science) watch a video on the effects of population on the environment. The video discussed AIDS in Kenya and how it is dramatically misshaping the population pyramid (all children, practically no one over 30). It spoke of a gel called a "microbicide" that briefly inhibits the virus from entering tissue and can be used when families want to get pregnant but one of the spouses has AIDS and the other doesn't want to get infected. I asked my students on an open ended quiz: "What is a microbicide?" looking for an answer like this "a gel that prevents the AIDS virus from entering tissue." You know? Something scientific!
Here were my two most hysterical responses:
One guy wrote:
"a small bicide" hahaha, he took the word to break down like this micro-bicide instead of this microb-icide. That's funny.
Another guy wrote:
"something in that v*g*na gel." I cracked up and blushed from awkwardness/funniness.
I've started a quote book to capture more of random things the kids say. One of my artsy seniors decorated it for me, it's way cute. I think I'll include some pics in it too, like this one: one of my student's new haircut. This is the little (or actually BIG) angel who loves
cupcakes & cornbread. And yes, that's old school Mickey Mouse shaved into the back of his head.
Other updates:
- The switch to 2nd semester has been tough as I received many new students (transfers, schedule changes, etc.). This majorly changed the dynamic in two of my classes where in 3rd period I went from 20 students to now having 28; and sweet 5th period (which is already nutso) where I only added 3 kids, but wow - everything changed. Feels like I started a new year all over again. So, if you think about it, pray that we get back to a smooth functioning level.
- I got selected as a teacher of the 3rd 6 weeks! Wow, I'm encouraged.
- I continue to wrestle with "Klopek" - he's so lost and doesn't want to be found. Pray for someone to get through to him, anyone.
- I hear alot of gang talk... in small ways like "I won't touch the red pencil, that ain't my color" or "I only wear yellow, none of that blue and red". I got on to one of my kids because he comments on gang colors constantly, I told him it had no place in my class. But it makes me really sad to know that even in Tyler, TX these 14 and 15 year olds are getting involved in things that could drastically shorten their life span.
- Lastly, one of my students just signed with Mizzou! Very proud of him! You can watch him this fall: C. Browning.
At the end of first period, I gave each of the kids a kit kat and wished them a Happy Valentine's Day and I told them the only way anyone could leave my class today was to give me or my co-teacher a hug. I really thought they would groan, but to my surprise and delight, my freshmen leapt out of their seats and raced to the front of the room to give/get a hug! And not just partial half way hugs... I'm talking full on bear hugs from almost every one of them.
