Playing to Strengths

My favorite activity of today's end-of-the-year extravaganza was definitely "Snowcones and chill" which had the kids cooling off inside from the extreme heat and humidity, slurping freshly crushed ice, munching popcorn, and tossing cornhole, playing cards, Jenga, or Mancala. It was a welcome break, and once I scooped the snowcones, I could enjoy the chill.

My second favorite was the kickball tournament. The sixteen team bracket was run flawlessly by our social studies and math teachers, and I never would have even had the chance to get down there had I not been grabbing some leftover watermelon in the office when a mom came in to check her daughter out a little early.

"I'm pretty sure she's at the kickball field," I told her. "I'll walk you down there."

It turned out that mother and child had passed each other and never noticed. We laughed at how silly that was. "Go grab your stuff!" said Mom, and I turned my attention to the game as the student headed back into the building.

True confession? I never saw them leave. That was one heck of a kickball game! And when the ultimate champions came from 2-7 to win it in the bottom of the last inning, I nearly wiped a tear.

For this day, the students had been allowed to select their groups, and both teams consisted primarily of some of the most challenging kids of the year. But in this situation-- a combination of independence and accountability to their peers?

They were stars!

Why Abbreviate?

Heidi has a bit of a gift for blue language. She can swear fluently and rarely hesitate to do so. In fact, she kind of puts the 'pro' in profanity.

That's why I laughed this afternoon when she read me a text with a puzzled look on her face.

it is hot af!

"What does that even mean?" she sighed with aggravation.

"I'm surprised at you Cussy Cusster!" I answered. "Think about it... how hot is it?

"It's as hot as fu--" she started.

"You got it!" I cheered.

Meeeee-ow!

Then there's that other sixth grade team who is planning a "summer safety talk" with the resource officer as part of their big end-of-the-year activity.

Is it just me, or does that scream "Celebrate!" to anyone else?

I guess our students will just have to be satisfied with Capture the Flag, Scavenger Hunt, Team Building, Friendship Bracelets, Bounce House Obstacle Course, Cookout with S'mores, Kick Ball Tournament, Tent Building Race, and Snow Cones.

I hope they can manage.

I Got That

I like to consider my classroom very well provisioned.

Over the last 25 years I've accumulated almost anything anyone could possibly need for any lesson (or its aftermath). When I find I don't have this tool or that school supply, or the lotion, hand-sanitizer, tissue, band-aid, ointment, hot sauce, silverware, napkin, or potting soil someone needs, then I go shopping or order it, pronto.

Today a colleague put my inventory to the test: "If you have this," she said breathlessly, "then you really do have everything!"

"That's a lot of pressure!" I answered. "What do you need?"

"Goo-be-gone?" she replied.

"I... actually..." I paused dramatically, "have that!" And I went to my marvelous cabinet and pulled a little bottle out. 

See You When I See You

I passed a young woman on the escalator this afternoon. I was going up, and she was on her way down; I did a double take, but she didn't notice me. I'm certain that it was a former student-- a delightful little girl when I knew her, all grown up now.

Later in the grocery store, I glanced up to the loft where they have tables for dining in. There, laughing with his little brother, was a current student of mine. I watched him for a few moments, intrigued to see him in his real, away-from-school life. He did not look down, and when the cashier finished ringing our order, we left.

At the farmers market earlier in the day, the playground was packed with running, jumping, and swinging kids. I stopped to watch them play for a minute, wondering if any of those kids would ever find their way to my classroom. 

Pulling Weeds and Grading Papers

I didn't think I would have time to work in my garden this weekend because I had so much school work to catch up on, but when the internet went down at around noon and didn't come back, I took the opportunity and changed into my gardening clothes and spent a couple of hours pulling some of the many, many weeds. When I got home, it was back to grading the many, many papers.

I could think of better ways to spend the weekend, but fortunately this is the last weekend I have to jealously parse my time for a while.

See you in August, Sunday Blues!

Detachment

For the second half of International Game Day we watched The Cup, a 20 year old Tibetan film about boys in a monastery who are determined to see the final game of the World Cup, despite having no television.

It was a little slow for my sixth grade group, but they were very compliant. It also gave us the opportunity to discuss Buddhism, particularly the impermanence of things. One of the after lessons for the film was on mandalas, the concept of which totally drove the students nuts.

“Why would anyone ever spend so much time making something that won’t last?” demanded one.

“That’s the point,” I told her. “Nothing lasts. They are showing their acceptance of that. Plus the mandalas are amazing and beautiful.”

And so our conversation went on, exploring the value and permanence of, among other things, video games, school projects, dancing, and sixth grade.

Afterwards, we had the option of creating our own mandalas on paper. Most of the kids were impressed with the time and effort I devoted to my colorful emblem. When I was done, I stood up and tore it into tiny scraps of color, all beautiful in their way. When the bell rang, I handed a slip to each student on the way out the door.

One particular kid defiantly tossed his scrap of mandala into the trash without a glance, his attention instead focused on my reaction.

I met his smirk with a smile. "Way to embrace the impermanence!" I told him. "Have a good weekend!"