I subbed for third grade today, and I love third graders. You can have neat conversations with them, and yet they are still innocent enough to give me unending hope for mankind. Today, as I perused some quite lovely lesson plans, the teacher left me with these parting words, "I'm just going to warn you, they've been squirrely. Good luck."
"Oh," I said, "Don't worry, we'll be fine," as is my standard response. And we really didn't have a bad day. They were a bit rodent-like in the energy department, but this is par for the course. I have a lot of energy, too, so we took plenty of little breaks during transitions and sang a little and shook our sillies out before sitting down to do serious math problems.
No. Squirreliness doesn't get to me. It's classic exchanges like the following that kind of do.
Me: I want you all looking at me for directions. (waits for eyes) When you are finished with your math quiz you are to turn it in here (points to table). There is also paper right here for you to make your story illustration on. So, you turn your quiz in here (pointing) and get another paper for your picture. Any questions? (Shaking of heads) Go ahead and get started, put your name on your paper first thing.
(They get to work. Then a student raises her hand)
Student #1: Where do I turn it in when I'm done?
Me: Like I said, right here. (points again, good naturedly, at the table).
(Time passes)
Student #2: (Handing me paper) What do I do when I'm done?
Me: (Kindly) Put the quiz over there.
Student #2: Where is the paper for my book illustration?
Me: (Understandingly) In the same spot.
Student #2: Oh.
Student #3: I'm done!
Me: Okay, can I have your eyes on me again? (Waits for eyes) You were all looking at me when I gave the instructions, but I guess some of you didn't have your ears turned on. (points, elaborately, at the table) Put your quiz Here. When you are done. Do you all see? I really would rather everybody know what to do now instead of twenty-three people asking me where to put their paper. It disrupts those who might still be working. So, where are you going to put your paper?
Class: On the table by the sink!
Me: Okay, good luck. Raise your hand if you have any questions while you're working.
(Time passes. Student #4 raises his hand. I am delighted that he is following directions. Finally, somebody's listening.)
Student #4: Um, so, what do I do with this when I'm done?
Me: I would like you to fold it into an origami leprechaun, please.
Student: Huh?
Me: Just kidding, go put it on that table.
At this point I have to hide by the pencil sharpener and have a little giggle to myself. Probably because when I was in the third grade I was a combination of students #1-4.
Oy.
"Oh," I said, "Don't worry, we'll be fine," as is my standard response. And we really didn't have a bad day. They were a bit rodent-like in the energy department, but this is par for the course. I have a lot of energy, too, so we took plenty of little breaks during transitions and sang a little and shook our sillies out before sitting down to do serious math problems.
No. Squirreliness doesn't get to me. It's classic exchanges like the following that kind of do.
Me: I want you all looking at me for directions. (waits for eyes) When you are finished with your math quiz you are to turn it in here (points to table). There is also paper right here for you to make your story illustration on. So, you turn your quiz in here (pointing) and get another paper for your picture. Any questions? (Shaking of heads) Go ahead and get started, put your name on your paper first thing.
(They get to work. Then a student raises her hand)
Student #1: Where do I turn it in when I'm done?
Me: Like I said, right here. (points again, good naturedly, at the table).
(Time passes)
Student #2: (Handing me paper) What do I do when I'm done?
Me: (Kindly) Put the quiz over there.
Student #2: Where is the paper for my book illustration?
Me: (Understandingly) In the same spot.
Student #2: Oh.
Student #3: I'm done!
Me: Okay, can I have your eyes on me again? (Waits for eyes) You were all looking at me when I gave the instructions, but I guess some of you didn't have your ears turned on. (points, elaborately, at the table) Put your quiz Here. When you are done. Do you all see? I really would rather everybody know what to do now instead of twenty-three people asking me where to put their paper. It disrupts those who might still be working. So, where are you going to put your paper?
Class: On the table by the sink!
Me: Okay, good luck. Raise your hand if you have any questions while you're working.
(Time passes. Student #4 raises his hand. I am delighted that he is following directions. Finally, somebody's listening.)
Student #4: Um, so, what do I do with this when I'm done?
Me: I would like you to fold it into an origami leprechaun, please.
Student: Huh?
Me: Just kidding, go put it on that table.
At this point I have to hide by the pencil sharpener and have a little giggle to myself. Probably because when I was in the third grade I was a combination of students #1-4.
Oy.
1 comment:
it is AMAZING they will turn into fully functioning human beings. or at least, we did....most of the time.
Post a Comment