You Can Use Wikipedia for This

Me:  "Today we are going to read a small excerpt from Miss F's book about the Titanic."

Student:  "The Titanic?  Is that appropriate for school?"

Me:  "What do you mean?  This chapter is about the construction of the ship and passengers aboard.  The accident is in later chapters that you will have to read on your own."

Student:  "Uhhhh,wait.  You mean this is real?

*my best confused look*

Student:  "Like the Titanic thing actually happened?  Jack, Rose, Titanic, iceberg?"

*inward palm-to-face action*

Me (in a relatively calm manner):  "Um, yes... This is a true historical event.  This actually happened.  There was a ship called the Titanic, supposedly unsinkable, and thousands of people died when it struck an iceberg and sank.  Jack and Rose's story is not true, but there may have been a couple on board who lived their tale, we don't know.  There was a Jack on board quite coincidentally.  But the whole build-up about the Titanic and its destruction are true."

Student:  "Oh."

Imagine my horror.  Imagine my surprise.  I had heard about this when the Titanic re-released in 3D; I had laughed when I heard about younger people who didn't realize the sinking of the Titanic was an actual event.  But here was a case of that staring me in the face!  I'm not laughing anymore.

Eventually we were able to read more about the ship and the real passengers.  I'm lucky they were intrigued because of the movie and the idea.  But goodness, when these kids saw the movie or heard about it, they didn't Google it at all?!  Even to look up about Jack and Rose?  Although I suppose pictures of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet popped up and they got distracted.  Either way, in order to for them to get the very BASICS, I allowed them to read Wikipedia (which they were more stunned about).  WHISPER:  Don't be fooled; I am actually a fan of Wikipedia in order to acquire other, more reliable, sources.

I hope to teach these students that usually the very best of movies are mere attempts to depict the "coolest" of events or books.  Cross your fingers.

Snapshots

Snapshots of my week:


This album cover...

...because I plan on listening to the new Mumford & Sons CD...on repeat.

This church scene...

...because it was beautiful outside yesterday, and we took the Tiger Pause kids out.

These shoes...

...because only a BF kid could get away with them.

This page out of an old military book...

...because during reading class, I have been learning how to bear arms.  Just in case.

This kitten...

...because Theo is my mom's new kitten, and I love her (that's right, her).

"What's in a name?"

Juliet was wrong.  I mean, I know she was tormented by her love (lust) for Romeo.  But there is way too much connected to a name to cast off so willingly.

I think that I realized just how much is connected with a name when discussing baby names with my roommate.  First off, I could never name my (future) child a name of someone that I know and do not particularly care for.  That seems to be a common idea.  Secondly, apparently half-Asian children cannot be called "Karl." That seems to be only one person's idea.  Thirdly, one must think about nicknames.  For example, I might like the name William but not of the nickname "Willy" or "Billy."  My own mother did not like others calling me "Katie."  And finally, the meaning of  a name is troublesome to me.  What if I like a name but the meaning is ridiculous?  How on Earth do people decide what to name their children?!

This whole idea unnerves me.  Perhaps I will just pull a name out of a hat.  Or flip through a book at an unusally quick pace and wherever my finger lands...name.

Snapshots

Snapshots of my week:

This silhoutte...

...because Karl and I are taking (free) ballroom dance lessons for five weeks.  This is what I felt like after one lesson, not actually what I looked like.

These Star Wars figures...

...because they were on the teacher's desk and I giggled.

This view...

...because my grandpa's funeral was a lot of this...the color black, tissues, and waiting.

This view...

...because I would very much like to say, "Step into my office." Which is really the corner of the library.

These envelopes...

...because I borrowed the idea from a friend and used them for class.

Things I Would Like to Tell Students

I walk around the school mentally cataloguing the social inadequecies of high school. From what I remember as a student (which is all a bit hazy), public school was a chore.  I don't mean to say it was not altogether enjoyable.  However, it was enjoyable in the sense that one enjoys a so-so meal.  The meal completes its job by fullfilling the stomach but it is easily forgotten in order to move on.  However, there are some life lessons to be taken away from high school.  From the shoes of the person in front of the classroom (standing, that is), there are many things I would like to tell these (small) beings who live in a world of their own.

1.  Ladies, it is COLD outside...put some clothes on.
2.  Gentlemen, your hormonal attempts to woo me (or anyone else for that matter) are useless.  Nothing can tempt me to go to jail.  Not even your cheesy lines and average intelligence.  Alas.
3.  "Shushing" people is as obnoxious as talking while someone else is talking.  It just requires more spit.
4.  Tonsil hockey is not a spectator sport.
5.  Your eyes are not looking over that far because they need to stretch.  It is called cheating.  And a zero.
6.  Whining does not get you what you want.  It only makes me want to do the opposite of what you want.
7.  Not every Asian is Chinese.  Period.  And Asia is a continent for goodness sakes!
8.  Kids in suburbia are not thugs.  You are tamed creatures.  You can stop pretending as of now.
9.  I can see your phone.  Game over.
10.  Read.  Please just read.  "You'll thank me later."

Kids and Cards

This past week had been difficult.  I was running around (ill), and attempting to balance time between the Falls and home with my family.  After receiving a call from my roommate/co-worker, I came home to find a present on my bed.  Cards.  Lots and lots of cards.  Like others who know the value of a hand-written note, my kids from Tiger Pause had drawn/written various cards and pictures.  Some of them made me cry.  Others made me laugh aloud.  All of them made me smile.

My name was spelled any which way.  There were pictures that didn't make sense.  Most of the kids were "sorry for my lost" and "hoped [I] find my way."  However, the true meaning was clear.  These kids care about me.  They understand the meaning of loss and how one can feel afterwards.  While I appreciate everyone's condolences over the loss of my grandpa, I am especially thankful for the love and grammatical errors of my kids in Beaver Falls.

Snapshots

Snapshots of my week:



 This candle...

...because it smells like Fall and adds a light to our home.

 These cookies...

...because after you work all day, sometimes pull-apart cookies are all you can manage.

This diploma...

...because I FINALLY put my official diploma in its shell. This makes me official.

 This phone...

...because this is my first real phone with a real plan. And it's so smart. And fast.

These tea things...

...because although I had a rough week, wrapping myself in a blanket and watching "Downton Abbey" while drinking tea made me feel so much better.