My Chil'ren

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My kids at school have been making me pretty happy with some of their fun expressions and conversations. Here's a few:

Tom and Rosie were arguing. It went like this.
T: It's hot in here.
R: No, it's not. That's your opinion.
T: Your opinion is wrong.
R: Your opinion is stupid.
T: Your opinion is--
Me: GUYS!! Please, let's stop fighting, okay?
Tom: Teacher, we're not fighting. We're having creative discussion.

I laughed a full 2 minutes. At least they're using the term opinion correctly, since that what I've been stressing lately.

Yae Jin, a feisty student I've really come to enjoy, put her head down on the her desk. I, feeling kooky as it was my last Friday class, gestured to everyone to be quiet, and then I threw my marker at her. It bonked her on the shoulder and she came up spitting Korean at everyone. Everyone (4 others) says, "No, no! Teacher did! Was teacher!" She looks at me with disbelief. I laugh, and say, "I'm just practicing my bowling" while I pretend to be rolling the bowl. Yae Jin gives me this classic look of disdain and scorn and says, "Teacher, I am not pin!!" Ohh, love her.

Second Yae Jin story: I came into class and she was very upset. I let her stew for a while in front of me and just didn't call on her. Then we're working on writing our opinion down about a question and in the quiet room, she leans over and says to me, "Teacher can I question you?" I say yes, of course. She double checks her dictionary, which is on her desk, and asks, "Are you intimate with Cindy teacher?" FYI: Cindy is a new teacher at Reading Town who thinks she is the Queen Bee and has quickly alienated herself from kids and teachers alike. I say, "Um, no I don't know her very well." Yae Jin gives me a nod of approval, and says "Good job." I ask, "Are you upset with Cindy teacher? Are you okay?" She says, "Cindy teacher is very bad. I hate." Me: "What happened?" (Hey, I'm not above a little gossip!!) YJ- "She gave me yellow card because I no do homework, but I had study! Had middle school test!" And I knew she was telling the truth since kids here take big tests like the SAT just to get into certain middle schools . Oh, and RT is kinda like soccer - we give yellow and red cards to bad kids. I say "I'm sorry that you're upset, but that is a new rule here." (One I don't follow: it's stupid.) She nods. We continue class. 10 minutes later she leans over again. "Teacher, can I question you?" Me: "Of course." YJ: "What is bitch?" Me: "SHHH! That is a bad word! Did you hear or say this word?" YJ: I hear. Me: "Well that word is not okay. It hurts feelings and makes people very angry. If I hear you say this word, I'll give you a red card." YJ: "But Cindy--" Me: "I know you want to say it about Cindy teacher, but you can't." YJ: "Okaaaaay."

Oh Lord. If every day were like that I might lose my mind!! Or lose 3 pounds just from laughing.

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