Como se Dice... EVERYTHING

I clearly did not get a bilingual education degree and I clearly am not bilingual on my own in any way. And when I signed up for this whole tutoring gig I was unaware it included Spanish. Who takes Spanish in fifth grade? Not me, that's for sure. But unfortunately these kids DO have Spanish in fifth grade which means it is a continual thorn in my side and I am responsible for helping guide them through the dark. Sadly, it's the blind leading the blind...

For the past 6 months my brain has been stretching and flipping and flopping trying to dig out this hidden treasure called the Spanish language and it has not been pleasant. I did my time. I did my fair share of copying studying with friends. I passed Basic Spanish and left it in the dust four years ago as a high school senior. So why now after it has had the chance to lay dormant for four years am I required to bring it back to the surface? It's as if the foreign language Gods are saying "you WILL learn basic spanish," even if these children do not. And DO NOT they are.... if that makes any sense.

Failing grades, nearly failing grades, and a brief shimmering glimpse of hope, only to be smashed by another ugly grade. How will I teach these children to speak, write, and understand Spanish? It's exhausting trying to stay a step ahead of them while ensuring they master the concept.

This has been the most stressful part of working with the students I tutor and I am open for any suggestions on how to get these kids to absorb the info. I am on my knees begging the foreign language Gods to forgive me for the work with friends copying I did in my time; have mercy on these poor children foreign language Gods, please!

End Rant/Begging/Complaining

When a Uterus becomes an Utter-Us

I'm sure we all remember having to take "Human Growth and Development" when we were in school and let me let you in on a little secret, things haven't changed. Students are still expected to learn about the changes they will experience and the oh-so-uncomfortable section of learning about the opposite sex, heaven forbid. I am not responsible for teaching this but I am responsible for making sure one of the students I tutor gets his homework done...

After shuffling through this student's homework I came across a definition page that he insisted was completed but was obviously not. After a little bit of arguing back and forth he agreed to finish the definitions. They were on female reproductive parts... This student proceeded to mention he was on "utter-us" and "wom", aka uterus and womb. I had no idea what he was talking about but once it dawned on me I couldn't help cracking up! I guess that's what happens when you go to an all boys school and don't have any sisters. And in all honesty I would rather see this innocence than have him know too much before his time.

I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas

Growing up in Az 99.9 was a staple radio station. Ok lets be honest it's pretty much the only radio station I listened to until I was like sixteen. Delilah was the background music for many car rides home, most memorably from WOW (aka word on wednesday) at church.

Anyway I digress.... one thing I have noticed since being in Dallas for Christmas for the past three years is that they don't play the song I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, my favorite christmas song. Sure I could listen to it on youtube but it doesn't hold the same excitement as hearing it come on the radio! I guess it will just have to be a fond memory until some brilliant radio dj decides to surprise me one Christmas. Bah humbug. BUT if that's the only thing I have to complain about I think I'm doing all right. 

For the past two weeks I have been completely enjoying myself with family and being kid free, minus one exception, this little guy!

Colin has gotten so big and I'm so happy I got to spend his first Christmas with him! Unfortunately all good things come to an end and I am back to school on Monday. I feel relaxed and ready to spend some more time with the little monsters angels!

As I head back into the battle zone I’ve been trying to select my arsenal of organizational tools, motivational strategies, and other ways to make kids overall superstars. Tomorrow is the day I lay out my strategy but for tonight I am vegging on the couch with a Friends DVD since last night looked something like this…

 Happy New Year everyone!