lock down

TGIF (come to think of it, I probably open up every Friday post with that sentiment, but oh well.) Today I really mean it. It's been one of those "bleh" weeks, both in and out of school, and I'm even more thrilled about this weekend since it is one of those lovely 3-day weekends teachers love so much!

Since Monday, so much has happened. The whole Trolley Square shooting has kind of had me contemplating a lot of stuff and, even though I was not there or did not know anyone who was, I'm still feeling very saddened and upset by what happened. I think it has put everyone on high alert, being more sensitive to safety issues. We had a lock down drill yesterday at the school...the principal said the shooting made him think of possible shooting at the school and wanted to review the procedure...which made me more paranoid than ever. The kids in my class seemed to take the whole thing as a joke; that really irritated me and after the drill, I spent a good 10 minutes explaining to them why we have to practice it the right way instead of using it as an excuse to goof off. I told them all the reasons why we lock down the way we do and then it opened the class up to a good discussion of feelings about such tragedies and their thoughts on "what the world is coming to." I maybe sometimes don't give them enough credit (their only 13, I say), but I learned a lot from them yesterday and had an "ah ha" moment--they really are scared about things like that and really only act tough so their peers won't sense that fear. A simple thought.

This week was also my first Valentine's Day as a teacher. What a crazy day! At the junior high level, the holiday is quite superficial (I could argue that it is anyway...shouldn't you show your love for your sweetie ALL year long??) and I had a huge smile on my face all day seeing all the popular girls walk around in the hall with bouquets (yes, bouquets, not bouquet) of roses, stuffed teddy bears with hearts all over them, and gigantic boxes of chocolates. It was just another round in that contest called popularity! When my students asked what I got my husband for Valentine's Day, I said "When you're married, things are a little different...like paying the bills is romantic, cleaning up after dinner is romantic, folding laundry is romantic..." They thought I was crazy. They gushed when I told them Ben made me a Build-A-Bear bear for V-day, but thought less of me (not that I care) that what I "got" him was a school-made card that I didn't even finish! I did receive a few Valentine's day cards from students, which considering that I've been an emotional wreck this week, I cried when I read them at home. Here's a few samplings of what was said:
"Dear Mrs. Hubert, I really like your class it's really cool. I like what we do in your class. Also thank you for being the coolest teacher in West Lake."
"Thank you, Mrs. Hubert for being one of the coolest teachers every. And for having alot of pashents with the class and me. Also for teaching me about the Nazies."
"Thank you for putting up with me. Also for giving extra credit and for being so awsome."
"To Ms Huebert. You are very nice you are very fun you are the best."
"Thank you. Your lost in my island of dreams!" (I'm still trying to figure this one out....)
"Thank you for being such an awesome journalism teacher. You're just too cool I tell you. I've learned a lot about becoming a writer. I actually would like to pursue a career in journalism on day. I love writing! I hope you enjoy your Valentine's Day :)"

Sniff, sniff.

We'll be finished reading Night by Wednesday, if all goes well Tuesday. I'm thrilled. I just finished writing the test for the book and think I've come up with a good mixture of comprehension questions as well as higher level (application, synthesize, yada, yada, yada). I've enjoyed reading the book...just not reading the same chapter 6 times out loud each day. I had a great idea to tape myself reading one day and play it back to the rest of the periods, but when I listened to myself and heard that I sounded much like a boy, I opted against it. We'll do a few more Holocaust reading activities the week after, then I move on to grammar review and end-of-year test prep. Yippee.

Well, seeing as how this post has taken me about 5 hours to write (I've stopped to eat dinner, to watch a horrible move--Honey--, and to go to Sonic for a slushee), I'm going to call it a night. Happy long weekend!!!