Seen and Heard around the Job Site

It's no secret that I don't exactly teach in the inner city.  I used to get frustrated in college because they would talk so much about teaching the urban child...and I am far from using those skills.  In fact...I wanted to share with you some things I've seen or dealt with in the last year and some change.

1. Frequently absent students for the following things:

- Working on the farm today
- Showing hogs/goats/sheep at the state fair
- National live stock convention
- Hunting Season (I'll have boys gone for a week at a time for this one...)

2. Last year I had a huge issue with students tracking mud into my room on their boots.

3. Yesterday, I literally witnessed someone lassoing in the parking lot.  I am not even joking.

4. Every time we talk about sustainable energy they get really concerned that the government's going to take away their diesel trucks.

5. When a student got in trouble for bringing alcohol to school...it was moonshine.

6. When I moved into my classroom, which has walls of drawers on three sides...a lot of the drawers had dip spit in them.

7.  All kids (honors kids, preppy kids, punk kids, gothy kids, ALL) sign up to take agriculture I in high school.

8. Once I had a student who was hurt...when I asked him what was wrong, he said...well. I kicked a cow...and he kicked me back.

9. During spirit week, on camo day, I wore army camo...I was the only one because everyone else was wearing hunting camo.

10.  The high school championships sign reads as follows:

Band: AAA State champions
Football: AA State Champions
FFA: State Champions

I didn't know FFAs competed!

Ah well.  That's my school and I love it dearly.  I wouldn't trade my good ole boys and girls for the world.  Most days.

Peace, Love and Cow Manure,
Claire

Some Things to Consider:

1. I assigned a project a few weeks back that was due today.  I had 30 kids who didn't turn it in.  Naturally I went ballistic.  I made them write essays about why they chose not to do their project.  If you ever want a packet of the craziest and dumbest excuses you've ever read...I'll let you borrow these essays.  Holy cow.  I think 4 people had cousins gets in wrecks. At least 10 had malfunctioning computers that refused to save their work.  Absolutely nuts.  One precious child told me that honestly, he would just rather be playing football...so that's what he did.  Aces.