a little bit of {this and that}

"A hundred years ago it won't matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child." - Kathy Davis


I have the pleasure of spending this week teaching a 4th grade class. When I received a call from a teacher with a family emergency who asked if I could be there all week I didn't hesitate to say yes. I haven't done a lot of substitute teaching this year...mostly I've been doing academic testing and report writing - which I love, however I've also wanted to be back in a classroom. Wish granted. While Lisa is with her father during this time I am lucky enough to be with her fourth graders delving into the world of geometry, Pacific Northwest history (YAY!), electromagnetism, and reading and writing. Since this was an emergency she left a basic skeleton of a day and a few bins of literacy and math/science options. It has been great fun so far and I anticipate fun for the rest of the week.

So, today I gave the kids some time to ask me questions. Since I have known most of them since Kindergarten they knew the basics. They know I am married to the man at the museum, they know I have a son. They asked a few questions about them, but some of their questions were quite interesting. Different than most...(I always like to give kids time to ask about me...they are always interested and I think it helps build relationships...).

A few of the questions (and a few of my answers) that I thought you may enjoy - remember this is just a sampling I gave them ten minutes...a lot can be asked in ten minutes:

"What did you want to be when you grew up? I know you didn't want to be a teacher." - Huh. Really? That one stumped me as it was worded so...interestingly!

"What is your favorite color?" Orange.

"Do you have brothers or sisters?" - Yes, three. Two brothers, one sister. (I even had a picture of all of us together).

"So, who is your favorite?" (meaning brother or sister). Hmmm....This question was a little odd - I seriously haven't been asked that before. And really, can I answer? Do I have a favorite? I'll never tell. Haha.

"What is your favorite hairstyle?" - stumped again. I said ponytail.

After being asked what my favorite hairstyle was (really? that one confused me) we moved onto another activity. It was a read aloud about a girl traveling on the Oregon Trail. In twenty minutes seven people died. Quite an eventful day, no?

“Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.” - Chinese Proverb