Things are rapidly changing but before I provide you with an updated scholar listing I have to tell you about a comment made by MiniJ a few days ago. MiniJ speaking, "I have a lizard. He's little and I let him out of his cage so he can run around. When he runs around, he eats the bed bugs." As a reminder, I don't make this stuff up.
EM - 4th grade
MiniJ - 3rd grade
Uh-Uh-Uh - 3rd grade
Grr! - 2nd grade
Prophet - 2nd grade, I think
Short Time - 4th grade
Knapper - 3rd grade
If you've been keeping up, you can see that we added another scholar and Gnu has also been informed that we have the potential to add two more scholars. The latest addition is Knapper and he is the most unique addition as he comes with a posse. I haven't figured out why yet, but Knapper has a mentor that made an appearance shortly after he arrived in the classroom. This mentor asked to speak with Knapper privately in the hallway, Gnu agreed, and out the door they went. The conversation between Knapper and his mentor lasted less than five minutes and Knapper returned to the room. What did they talk about? Who knows? Knapper has a second posse member that has not made and appearance, but and don't hold this to me, this person may be responsible for seeing that Knapper gets all of the services that he is required to get from our school corporation. This posse member is making Gnu nervous as she is concerned that this person may be monitoring her to be sure she is providing the services that she is supposed to provide. To put Gnu at ease I said, "you manage the classroom very well and your focus on academics has more than double that of any other classroom teacher that I've seen in this room so relax." Gnu thanked me for the words of encouragement but went on to say that she thinks the special education program provide by our school corporation is "broke."
Right after the "broke" comment the academic day began and I let the matter drop. A couple hours later I brought up the subject. The conversation between Gnu and I got a little animated, actually, she got a little animated, I did my best to stay calm. For the record, her getting animated was not directed at me be at our school corporation. I'll try and give you the abridged version. "Schultz, how long have we been waiting for a decision on what to do with Prophet," Gnu stated. "Weeks," I say. "Correct, and why do you think it is taking so long?" she says. "Either it's not a priority," I say, "or maybe the overhead personnel are waiting for our winter break and will deal with it next year." "Exactly," Gnu said, "and that is the problem." "Prophet has been in this school for approximately two and a half years and this school does not have the ability to provide him with the services he needs," she continued. "That is why I say it's broke. Prophet needs help now and all we get are delays." "Schultz, do you know why Knapper practically appeared in our classroom out of no where?" "Yes, his behavior in a general education classroom was a problem," I say. Gnu states, "exactly, and just because Knapper has been disruptive in a general education classroom they move him to our room so the other scholars in his room will not be disturbed. What does that say about our classroom. Do our scholars deserve an education without disruptions? Apparently, not at the same level as a general education classroom and keep in mind, my future as a teacher, and my salary increases, all depend on our scholars doing well on the state mandated tests. Knapper is in our room. The general education teacher is probably doing cartwheels and we are handed another scholar with anger issues and it happened in a matter of days while Prophet waits weeks." That's crazy, and Gnu is right, the system is broke.
It's fun Friday or as I like to call it, Mr. Schultz gets to clean up the mess day. The morning announcements just ended and Gnu has listed on the white board at the front of the room today's class schedule. She lists our math block and our reading block and then in position three it states in big bold letters in alternating red and brown colors, BROWNIES. The scholars all respond, "are we having brownies today, Momma D?" Gnu responds, "only if you get all of your work done." A couple hours later all the work is completed and the scholars want to know when they can eat the brownies. Gnu responds, "the brownies are in these two boxes and you can eat them right after you make them." EM responds, "we don't know how to make brownies." "Everything you need to make brownies is on my table and the instructions are on the boxes. I'll break you into two teams and you can get started." In an instant, EM, MiniJ, and Knapper are at my desk in the back of the room. "Mr. Schultz, can you help us make the brownies?" "No!" "The directions are on the box, read them and hurry up so I can eat a brownie," I say. Less than a minute later, MiniJ is next to me. "Mr. Schultz, how do you know how much to put in this measuring cup?" "You need one quarter cup of vegetable oil, fill it to this line," I say. MiniJ takes the cap off the vegetable oil and promptly pours some in the measuring cup, some on my hands, and some on my table. EM is in charge of water. "Mr. Schultz, how much should I put in this measuring cup?" Take it to the sink, fill it up with water to this line and while you are at the sink, bring me some paper towels so I can clean up this mess you made on my desk," I say. Knapper has the egg. "Mr. Schultz, can I put the egg in now?" "Yes, but be sure to get the egg in the bowl and not on my desk." The egg was successfully opened. EM speaking, "Mr. Schultz what should be do now?" I say, "maybe you should add the brownie mix." MiniJ speaking, "where is the brownie mix, Mr. Schultz?" Oh my God, give me the strength. "Maybe you should look inside that box you are holding," I say. Finally, the brownies are ready for the oven and I'm off to our kitchen.
It's 2:30pm and it's brownie eating time. Both batches turned out just fine. Gnu has everyone at the front table and the scholars are taste testing the brownies. All the scholars are satisfied with the brownies and then Gnu pulls out the chocolate frosting and M&M's to add to the brownies. "Mr. Schultz, Mr. Schultz, we have frosting and M&M's for the brownies," and now the scholars are going into overload. "Really!" I say. "Great! Put some of each on a brownie and bring it to me." "Don't forget to wash your hands before you touch my brownie."
That's it. Another week in the books. I'll leave with you with two things. First, over the last seven days my blog had fifty-two page views from Russia. Second, and I'm pretty sure I mentioned this before, and in case I didn't, I'm working with a really good teacher and I couldn't be happier.
I'm out. Thanks for continuing to follow along.
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