We wrapped up Greek Mythology a few days ago. I'm still amazed that the scholars were totally into this subject. To wrap up the assignment Gnu assigned each scholar a god and had them write a paper on their assigned god. Although they all needed help gathering the information they work hard to complete the assignment. Every scholar had to come up with draft paper first. The draft was edited and then a final version was written. I was fun watching all of them try and rewrite their draft into a final version in the very best handwriting. As each scholar finished Gnu printed out a colored copy of their assigned god and then had a posting on the bulletin board ceremony in the hallway outside our classroom. Watching the smiles on the scholars faces when their assignment was posted is why I do what it do.
Alliteration - Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. Got it? We spent a couple days on alliteration. It took the scholars quite of bit of time to catch on to what the word alliteration meant. Gnu would read one, she sells sea shells by the sea shore, and we'd get these blank looks. Finally, after doing three or four examples they started to catch on. The first assignment was for each scholar to write an alliteration using the first letter of their first name. Wide and NoFouls did a pretty decent job but the others really struggled and needed some help to got them written. While the scholars enjoyed it when Gnu or I would make them up their lack of a vocabulary took some of the fun out of it because they'd start to get either frustrated or angry because the couldn't write them. After two days we moved on but on the upside we were doing alliterations with first through fourth grade scholars and that has to be a good thing.
Remember, I don't make this stuff up. This series of events happened over three days and as it has in the past it makes me wonder what the hell goes on in these scholars homes or in the brain between their ears.
I'm in the car heading to the Baxter Y with my part time editor, part time consultant and full time spouse when my cellphone rings. I have a Bluetooth device in the car so I'm hands free and answer the phone. "Hello!" "Schultz this is Gnu, you didn't happen to see my cellphone anywhere in the classroom before you left." "No." "I can't find it so I'm wondering if one of our scholars stole it." Note, it is entirely possible as a couple of these fine young scholars have been caught stealing in the past. "Well, if I was to guess who took it I'd start with The Collector and then River or possibly MiniJ." Gnu, responds that she doesn't think it's The Collector so our focus in the morning will be River. When I walk into the classroom the next morning it was easy to see that Gnu was still pretty upset. "I've only had that cellphone for two weeks and now I have to spend a couple hundred dollars to replace it". "It just makes me so angry that one of my scholars would take my cellphone." I suggested that she head to the bus drop off point, get on River's bus before he gets off and ask the bus monitor it she saw River using a cellphone either yesterday evening or this morning. She likes that idea and off she goes. About five minutes later she walks into the classroom. In her right hand is her cellphone and there is a big smile on her face. "You got your phone back." "Yes, and you'll not believe what happened." When I stepped onto the bus MiniJ saw me and yelled "Miss Gnu I have your cellphone" and then he walked up to me and hand it to me. MiniJ speaking, "I saw River using it on the bus yesterday and took it from him because I knew it was yours." I'm sitting at my desk thinking did what happen really just happen. A few minutes later River walks into the classroom and I'm on full alter because Gnu is about to confront him and she is upset. "You stole my cellphone." "Why did you steal my cellphone?" "Because I want one and my parents won't buy me one." "You just don't steal someone else's cellphone just because you want one." "Yes I can." "I don't have a cellphone and I want a cellphone." Just so everyone knows, MiniJ was recognized in the classroom for doing the right thing. He was also recognized by the Big Boss for doing the right thing. As for River, nothing happened to him because he had been suspended so many other times he can't be suspended again. Yes, I know that's a pretty sad commentary as he stole a cellphone without any repercussions.
The next morning EM is the first to arrive. "Mr. Schultz, there was a big fight on the bus." " Let me guess EM, NoFouls was involved." "Yes Mr. Schultz and so was NoFouls brother. "Was there anyone else?" "Yes, AromA and some other kids that I didn't know." Note, AromA is a former scholar in my classroom who is now in the sixth grade. EM still speaking. "AromA was just trying to stop the fight but NoFouls brother starting punching him." "Then NoFouls stood up on the bus seat and jumped on AromA's back from behind and started choking him." Ok, here they come. NoFouls suspended, his brother suspended, and AromA suspended.
The following day the scholars are arriving. So far no bus incidents. With just about everyone in the room but NoFouls, Oreo walks in and heads toward River. I'm finishing up my meal count and attendance report so I'm not sure what happened except that Oreo left the room very quickly. A couple minutes later Gnu walks into the room and from the doorway she yells at River, "you stole the bus monitor's cellphone." "That is my cellphone, I found it." "You didn't find that cellphone you stole it from the bus monitor who had it on her seat on the bus." "Why did you take the bus monitor's cellphone?" "Because I want a cellphone and my parents won't get me one." That's twice and still no repercussions for stealing.
We finally get to Friday and I'm thinking this was a crazy week and it's not over. NoFouls was the first to arrive and I could tell by the look on his face there was another bus incident. Apparently he got loud and aggressive with a girl on his bus but there was no follow up from the bus monitor or bus driver so there was no further discussion. River arrived next and was introduced to a chair in a corner rather than his normal spot at his desk near Gnu's desk. With a concern about his stealing of not only cellphones but other objects in the classroom he lost his desk privilege for the day and is sitting near me. The morning was uneventful but it got interesting after recess. When everyone was back in the room from running around on a very nice day there was an odor. No, not sweat from running around at recess but the aroma of someone pooping. It wasn't long when the scholars starting telling Gnu that River stinks. Sure enough, he pooped his pants. If you recall, Gnu doesn't do well with this type of odor so she confronts him about it. "Why didn't you tell us you had to go to the bathroom?" "I didn't have to go to the bathroom." "What are you talking about, you pooped your pants." I didn't do that it school, I did it before I got on the bus this morning." Just so you know, social workers are now involved with this seriously troubled scholar.
I'm out. It's the weekend and I'm heading to a speak easy type bar that just opened in Old Town Greenwood. Let's see, an Old Fashioned, a Manhattan or a Gimlet. After a week like this maybe all three which will definitely get the attention from those as far west as Utah.
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