So. I had a bad teacher moment this morning when I realized that I forgot to get the candy I promised the kids as a reward if they got all their homework problems right. Oops.
My solution. I found my school pictures from last year sitting in my desk drawer. I whipped out a sharpie and signed them like the rock star that I am.
That's right. I gave my students autographed pictures of myself as a reward.
I consider it one of my finer moments as a teacher.
I am starting a treasure chest with more useful items in it, such as band aids, nickels, dead batteries and paper clips.
I think the kids liked it more than candy.
Probably not.
Oh well. They're stuck with me whether they like my antics or not.
At least I think I'm funny.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Thursday, August 9, 2012
The Bruce Willis Post
Yeah, I know. It's been forever. Don't hate me too much.
But this is hilarious.
School started today. Nothing particularly noteworthy, except for the girl who found it necessary to tell us that she had a special gift. The gift of seeing dead things. She said if we ever caught her staring into space, to just ask for her attention, because she probably just got distracted by the dead things. She says there is someone else in the school who has this gift as well, but she doesn't know who. Tomorrow I plan to reveal my secret to her.
Here's to a new school year everyone!
Peace, Love and The Sixth Sense,
Claire
But this is hilarious.
School started today. Nothing particularly noteworthy, except for the girl who found it necessary to tell us that she had a special gift. The gift of seeing dead things. She said if we ever caught her staring into space, to just ask for her attention, because she probably just got distracted by the dead things. She says there is someone else in the school who has this gift as well, but she doesn't know who. Tomorrow I plan to reveal my secret to her.
Here's to a new school year everyone!
Peace, Love and The Sixth Sense,
Claire
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
The Boo Yah Post
Now. I'm not normally one to blog about my relationships. Mostly because there are about three people in the world I tell that kind of stuff too, so you can imagine that I'm not big on displaying my personal life for the world to see, although sometimes I wish I did...because it can get pretty hilarious. However, you can know that I have a mildly dramatic dating history, which began when I was about 17 and really hasn't relented since then.
So. When I was 17 and dating my high school boyfriend, high school sweet heart or whatever other stupid name people have for those people you date for your junior and senior year of high school, I gave said boyfriend a birthday gift. Now. Gift buying for a significant other can be very complicated, as I am sure many of you are aware. This is especially true when you are in high school and your communication skills aren't great (heck...mine still aren't great) and you don't know how much to spend, or what to get and you sit and worry three months prior to their birthday that they are going to hate what you bought them. (Oh..that's just me? Well. I guess consider me a basket case of gift giving). Not having any idea what to get him, a friend of mine told me that his backpack had seen better days (AKA it was duct taped together) and suggested that I get him that. I think, sweet, okay, better than the random DVD I had previously thought about. So I give him a new backpack, he says he likes it, we move on, whatever.
Flash forward a year, I'm getting ready to leave for college and have just had an enlightening trip to Europe, and we are in the long and dramatic process of breaking up that shows like Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill dictate we go through in a manner more ridiculous that necessary. We are having multiple conversations about all the things we hate about each other. Really nice stuff. If you've never heard your boyfriend list all the things he doesn't like about you...you should try it some time...it's delightful. So in this process, he brings up the fact that he did not like the backpack I got him for his birthday. He thought it was lame and unthoughtful or something along those lines...I don't really remember, I've tried to block it out. I am obviously hurt, so I'm sure I retaliated by saying something mean about him and we proceeded on in the essentially year long process that it really takes to truly break these things off (oh wait...that's just me too? Crap.) Today I sat and figured it out. I gave him that backpack in 2005. It is currently 2012. Seven years, my friends.
Today I get a facebook message, from someone I hadn't spoken to in about four years. If you guessed that it was my boyfriend from high school. YOU WIN. The message read:
So. When I was 17 and dating my high school boyfriend, high school sweet heart or whatever other stupid name people have for those people you date for your junior and senior year of high school, I gave said boyfriend a birthday gift. Now. Gift buying for a significant other can be very complicated, as I am sure many of you are aware. This is especially true when you are in high school and your communication skills aren't great (heck...mine still aren't great) and you don't know how much to spend, or what to get and you sit and worry three months prior to their birthday that they are going to hate what you bought them. (Oh..that's just me? Well. I guess consider me a basket case of gift giving). Not having any idea what to get him, a friend of mine told me that his backpack had seen better days (AKA it was duct taped together) and suggested that I get him that. I think, sweet, okay, better than the random DVD I had previously thought about. So I give him a new backpack, he says he likes it, we move on, whatever.
Flash forward a year, I'm getting ready to leave for college and have just had an enlightening trip to Europe, and we are in the long and dramatic process of breaking up that shows like Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill dictate we go through in a manner more ridiculous that necessary. We are having multiple conversations about all the things we hate about each other. Really nice stuff. If you've never heard your boyfriend list all the things he doesn't like about you...you should try it some time...it's delightful. So in this process, he brings up the fact that he did not like the backpack I got him for his birthday. He thought it was lame and unthoughtful or something along those lines...I don't really remember, I've tried to block it out. I am obviously hurt, so I'm sure I retaliated by saying something mean about him and we proceeded on in the essentially year long process that it really takes to truly break these things off (oh wait...that's just me too? Crap.) Today I sat and figured it out. I gave him that backpack in 2005. It is currently 2012. Seven years, my friends.
Today I get a facebook message, from someone I hadn't spoken to in about four years. If you guessed that it was my boyfriend from high school. YOU WIN. The message read:
Hey. Just wanted to let you know I still use that backpack you got me forever ago. I know I hated on it at the time, but it's worked out well. So ummm. Good job.
Say it with me everyone!
BOO YAH!
Just call me Claire Kinney: Champion Gift Giver.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
To Those Of You Who Think I'm Crazy for Loving 8th Graders.
I have no antics for you today. I'm not feeling much like laughing at my kids, I more feel like hugging them...which is rare, because usually they smell.
Recently, I lost my sweet Grandmother after a long time of being very sick. It was a terrible experience and I will miss her for the rest of my life, but some encouraging things always come of the bad things. One of which was the sweetest note from one of my students today, my first day back after being gone for a few days attending the funeral. This is how it read:
Dear Ms. Kinney,
I know this isn't much, or a real fancy card, but I wanted you to know I care. I remember when I lost my grandmother, it was very hard because I loved her dearly. I know you will get through this with lots of prayer and God. Think of it like this: If she was going through any pain, she isn't anymore. (How she knew this...I will never know) Be strong, and I'm with you. She's watching over you happily and I'm sure she loved you very much. Have a blessed day.
Love Always,
Student
It's amazing how God can use the people I'm supposed to be setting an example for, and the ones that typically give me a headache, to comfort me during my hard times.
Now. I dare you to turn your nose up at me when I tell you I teach 8th grade. My kiddos do have a soul sometimes, and a very sweet one at that.
Now. I dare you to turn your nose up at me when I tell you I teach 8th grade. My kiddos do have a soul sometimes, and a very sweet one at that.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
The Journal Entry Post
I am seriously obsessed with having my kids write journal entries. It's maybe the best thing ever. The sweet and nurturing teacher in me says it's great because I can find out a lot about them and their hearts. The person who always needs a laugh in me says it's great because it's hilarious. More so the latter.
Journal Prompt:
What are you doing over spring break?
Over spring break, I will have to go shopping. I know it sounds kind of girlish, but I gotta get a tux for the dance. (Yes. 8th grade dance is that big of a deal. tuxes...limos...we know no bounds) I'll play a lot of basketball and I'll watch it too on t.v. Although it's really not interesting anymore since the best team alive, North Carolina, is out. (Dern straight they're out. I used to really like this kid...now I'm rethinking it...) I might play some paintball, but I'll also be texting a lot. You know, when you don't see your girlfriend for a long time, they get mad if you don't text them. (Poor guy...so young and so whipped). But it's okay, I like texting her. (I get really curious as to how involved these texts get sometimes...I mean...it's so arbitrary...We're texting...ABOUT WHAT???) If I still have time, I might get Other Student to come over and ride 4-wheelers.
I think this adequately sums up the life of a middle school boy. Basketball. Texting. Girls. 4-Wheelers.
Quite a life to lead.
Journal Prompt:
What are you doing over spring break?
Over spring break, I will have to go shopping. I know it sounds kind of girlish, but I gotta get a tux for the dance. (Yes. 8th grade dance is that big of a deal. tuxes...limos...we know no bounds) I'll play a lot of basketball and I'll watch it too on t.v. Although it's really not interesting anymore since the best team alive, North Carolina, is out. (Dern straight they're out. I used to really like this kid...now I'm rethinking it...) I might play some paintball, but I'll also be texting a lot. You know, when you don't see your girlfriend for a long time, they get mad if you don't text them. (Poor guy...so young and so whipped). But it's okay, I like texting her. (I get really curious as to how involved these texts get sometimes...I mean...it's so arbitrary...We're texting...ABOUT WHAT???) If I still have time, I might get Other Student to come over and ride 4-wheelers.
I think this adequately sums up the life of a middle school boy. Basketball. Texting. Girls. 4-Wheelers.
Quite a life to lead.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The Plague Part II
I've taken a while to post this great story, and I'm not sure why...because it's a good one. If you are a frequent blog reader, you know that back in October I had the plague. You can read about it here.
I don't know how I did it, but somehow I avoided all illness save a tiny sinus infection last year. This year is a different case. Maybe these kids are just more germy or more touchy than last years kids, but I feel like I have been in a constant state of sick since mid October. So after my last experience at the walk in clinic, I swore up and down I would never go back. BUT. Then I got sick on a Sunday and there were rumors of strep throat going around and there really wasn't another option. So back to the land of people who accuse me of being pregnant I went. After all, I thought, what are the odds of me getting the same doctor? Those places have like 20 doctors on staff at random times.
WRONG. After having my vitals taken and waiting in the room for like a small century, in walks none other than everyone's favorite shockingfasttalkerforanenglishlanguagelearner doctor, talking a mile a minute and being demeaning as usual. The visit went fine. He only asked me if I was pregnant once, which is a huge step up from the three times he asked me last time. He figured out my illness pretty quickly, but also determined that I have allergies. Sure. Fine. Whatever. He also determined I needed nasal spray. Okay. Great. Sure. Then this conversation ensued.
Doctor Crazy Pants: HOW YOU USE NASAL SPRAY!?
Me: Um. I don't know. Normally.
DCP: NO! YOU DO STRAIGHT OR TO SIDE?!
Me: I don't know.
DCP: PICK ONE!!!! STRAIGHT UP OR TO SIDE?!
Me: (I'm getting a little panicey here...I haven't been yelled at since I was pulled over for speeding my freshman year of college, and that ended with me in tears) I don't know!! Straight. Straight!
DCP: WRONG!!!!!!!! That okay. You aren't only one. You must spray to side. That where sinuses are.
Then DCP proceeds to put his ink pen up his nose (like not just a little...all the way) and demonstrates which way to point the nasal spray. He even used the clicker on his pen as a pretended sprayer.
I was far too sick and tired to control my reactions. So I laughed in his face. Oops.
Oh well. I guess that's just how the cookie crumbles sometimes. I would say I won't go back there...but at this point...it's just getting pretty entertaining. Maybe I'll even start requesting DCP.
In other news. It is abstinence week, which means I don't teach. Which further means my pinterest has greatly benefited. I'm working on a little write up for you all concerning the awesome questions and comments these little delights are making. I'll warn you ahead of time...these kids aren't as entertaining as last year, but they all still have that ohmygoshthisistheworstthingever look on their faces. They also stare at their hands a lot.
I don't know how I did it, but somehow I avoided all illness save a tiny sinus infection last year. This year is a different case. Maybe these kids are just more germy or more touchy than last years kids, but I feel like I have been in a constant state of sick since mid October. So after my last experience at the walk in clinic, I swore up and down I would never go back. BUT. Then I got sick on a Sunday and there were rumors of strep throat going around and there really wasn't another option. So back to the land of people who accuse me of being pregnant I went. After all, I thought, what are the odds of me getting the same doctor? Those places have like 20 doctors on staff at random times.
WRONG. After having my vitals taken and waiting in the room for like a small century, in walks none other than everyone's favorite shockingfasttalkerforanenglishlanguagelearner doctor, talking a mile a minute and being demeaning as usual. The visit went fine. He only asked me if I was pregnant once, which is a huge step up from the three times he asked me last time. He figured out my illness pretty quickly, but also determined that I have allergies. Sure. Fine. Whatever. He also determined I needed nasal spray. Okay. Great. Sure. Then this conversation ensued.
Doctor Crazy Pants: HOW YOU USE NASAL SPRAY!?
Me: Um. I don't know. Normally.
DCP: NO! YOU DO STRAIGHT OR TO SIDE?!
Me: I don't know.
DCP: PICK ONE!!!! STRAIGHT UP OR TO SIDE?!
Me: (I'm getting a little panicey here...I haven't been yelled at since I was pulled over for speeding my freshman year of college, and that ended with me in tears) I don't know!! Straight. Straight!
DCP: WRONG!!!!!!!! That okay. You aren't only one. You must spray to side. That where sinuses are.
Then DCP proceeds to put his ink pen up his nose (like not just a little...all the way) and demonstrates which way to point the nasal spray. He even used the clicker on his pen as a pretended sprayer.
I was far too sick and tired to control my reactions. So I laughed in his face. Oops.
Oh well. I guess that's just how the cookie crumbles sometimes. I would say I won't go back there...but at this point...it's just getting pretty entertaining. Maybe I'll even start requesting DCP.
In other news. It is abstinence week, which means I don't teach. Which further means my pinterest has greatly benefited. I'm working on a little write up for you all concerning the awesome questions and comments these little delights are making. I'll warn you ahead of time...these kids aren't as entertaining as last year, but they all still have that ohmygoshthisistheworstthingever look on their faces. They also stare at their hands a lot.
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