Check It Out

This week has two whole days and three conference days which are half days. Plus on Hallowe’en is Friday.  Need I say that it is crazy around here.

Yesterday, my classes ranged from kindergarten through third grade.  All were a sea of writhing bodies as they tried to listen to the stories I read.  It was as if they had already reached in the stash of Hallowe’en candy their parents were saving for Friday’s trick-or-treaters.

Today, I found myself giving the age old talk to fifth graders about flatulence, how it happens to us all, and how we do not need to call attention to occurrences during a lesson.  Probably I will be remember as the teacher who talked about farting. ”We will experience unpleasant smells during our lifetime, get use to it.” Did I really say that?  I am getting to rigid in my thinking that toilet and bathroom humor belongs at home or recess and not in class? 

It reminded me of the time when I taught fifth grade. Right at the crux of the teaching point I was about to make, a student burst through the door shouting, “….(name of student now forgotten) did not flush.” Thus ended any point I was trying to make about the American Revolution.

Perhaps next week’s lesson should be from Ben Franklin’s book, Fart Proudly.

I just finished listening to Star Girlby Jerry Spinelli, read by John Ritter.  Ritter did a terrific job and it was a comfort hear Ritter voice.  Miss that guy.  I decided that Star Girl is right next to Island of the Blue Dolphinsfor me.  I love the story. Star Girl’s uniqueness, her need to not fit in with everyone, and her giving spirit resonate with me.  And yesterday? A former student who reminds me a bit of a star girl, showed up to give me her photo.  She also commented that I looked like the “Starbucks Owl” as I was dressed in fall colors which she thought reminded her of an owl. When I laughed she reminded me that I do like owls.  Maybe I should be called “Owl Woman”.

I just started listening to the unabriged version of Little Women as I begin reading March by Geraldine Brooks for my book club.  Brooks has written from the point of view of Mr. March, the father in LW. It won the Pulitzer in 2006. 

I may surprise everyone and show up as a scarecrow on Friday.  I sort of feel like one.  Or I could come as an owl.

I love this quote by John Quincy Adams: “Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”

Do you think voting matters?  On Monday, November 3rd, 2008, Colleen and Lee will be gathering up posts about voting to create a master list for “Blog the Vote”.

Happy Reading.

MsMac