Which reminds me- I would like to address the "friend" thing. When I was in elementary school I was a student and my class was exactly that... a class. Now (in this particular district at least) students are known as "friends." My students are not called "Ms. Nelson's Class" but instead "Ms. Nelson's Friends." Funny... I'm pretty sure from day one we've been told not to be friends with students.
Anyway, I did share with my 4th grade friends that today was my first day at R Elementary. I also shared that I have subbed at O, P, G, and so on. I knew I'd made a mistake when half the hands in the class shot up.
"Do you know my cousin?"I'm not kidding... Mark. That was the only clue this one kid gave me.
"Do you know Mrs. Ortiz?"
"Do you know a kid named Mark?"
After I explained that I could not possibly remember the name of every student I have taught this year, I went on with the lesson. When the students were working independently, one boy came up and asked me a question about the assignment. After I answered it, he slipped in,
"And do you know a boy named Ben who goes to P Elementary?"You should have seen this kid's face light up. His eyes got big and he asked, quietly, "How do you know about the Torah? Are you a Jew?"
"I'm sorry- I do not. Is he in the 4th grade also?"
"No, he's in 5th."
"I'm sorry- I haven't taught 5th grade at P Elementary."
"Oh, because he's in my Hebrew class."
"You are in Hebrew class? Are you learning the Torah?"
I wanted to say, "No, I'm just not an idiot."
Instead I said, "No, I just have a lot of Jewish friends." (Two?)
Later in the day he asked another question and then we went through the Hebrew alphabet together. I'll be honest, it's times like this that feed my teaching addiction. It was so nice to help this "friend" share his culture and feel a little appreciated.
So, Shalom.
5 comments:
That's awesome! I so wish I could see you in the classroom - I know you are great! That's so funny about the "friend" thing, I'd never heard that before until we got to Georgia!
That is too cute. The friend thing is bizarre...
Wow, that is adorable. I bet he loved it that he found you had an interest in him! Such a great sub!
The "friend" thing is just retarded. Seriously.
How interesting - my best friend is Jewish! :)
I've never heard of the "friend thing" in elementary school. But that is what we often use to describe the people in our program... and we truly do hope they become our friends!
-KA
My senior year in college I subbed to make money. Loved it. The best kids were the ones in the poor part of town. The worst kids lived in the nice neighborhoods.
And I was popular because I had a technology degree so I was the sub for all the computer lab teachers in elementary school.
Sweet gig. "Hey when you finish Math Blasters you can do Oregon Trail."
Knot
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