Random Bits of Friday

In class this week I read “Indian Education” (Sherman Alexie) with the two language arts classes I teach a little in.  The prompt I gave one class after we discussed it was to write for 10 minutes on the most important memory from Elementary, Middle School, and High School.

“my favorite memory of elementary was when I threw a chicken nugget at a car.”  Was one of the first responses I read later that day, and I realized there is just something inherently funny about the word “chicken nugget.” 

I am constantly amazed at the importance that a single event can pack in our lives, and the power a few lines can hold.  And because I didn’t get a chance to write during their writing time, and because my pedagogy professor recommended never doing something we wouldn’t ask our students to do, here is my ten minute response:

Langell Valley Kid Education

Elementary School
In kindergarten we had plastic cows, bright black and white, that I came in from recess early to get.  I had a best friend that the other kids teased me about being in love with.  We kept being best friends for the year anyway. 
In third grade we followed the cows to California.  I stole a turkey egg from the turkeys’ nest next door and snuck it into my room to hatch, and then I felt so guilty I threw it away.  I told mom that story recently and she gasped, told me that those turkeys were totally feral and crazy and didn’t live “next door.” 
In fourth grade I went through the self esteem crash they say happens as an adolescent and came home crying every day, sure that everyone hated me.  That summer my brother died and I stopped crying for 500 years. 

Middle School
I met writing, I went back to softball, I was obsessed with otters, I took high school classes, I was called brave for the first time ever; all three years kind of mush together.  I was happy and full of self discovery.

High School
In hindsight, I was in a protected bubble.  After Matt died, many people stepped in to watch me.  I didn’t notice, but now I know my big cousins were there, watching my back in math and science, protecting me in the hallway.  All I thought about was being totally, totally perfect.  



Why is it that we always write about the sad or melancholy bits?  Are they somehow more potent and universal? 

Anyway, here's some more class updates, mainly that.....they loved zentangles!!  See below :)


The teaser I put on the board for class today


Doing a step by step on the board


A couple students' work!  One was left on the board for us, and one I snagged before the student could throw it away (his inner perfectionist rioted at any error - even though he took on the hardest part of the tangle on his own....) and now its celebrating on the wall!


This is another journal prompt product - the question was their prompt and the responses are compiled from journal entries and class discussion.



besos y abrazos
Emma