Learning At Adams

So here is an update on my working status... stay at home mother, all day. That's right I am no longer working at Adams. With Shea's schedule and being away from Connor daily I finally asked if it was possible to find a replacement. They were so nice and I was so grateful. 

And now I get to see THIS FACE all the time!

7 months

While I was working at Adams my day was split into three main parts (and in between I was an aide where ever I was needed). First I got there at 11:00 and supervised Kindergarten pick-up and drop-off till 11:45, from 12:00 - 1:00 I was the ONLY playground duty for 300 or so kids, and then 1:20 to 2:20 was computer lab where I taught one grade a day. Computer lab was the biggest challenge because I was the teacher and had no idea what to teach or how. But I managed, and the kids had fun. 

Since I am not working at Adams Elementary any more I thought I would share a little of what all those kids taught me. The funniest part is listening to what the kids have to say, sometimes they just crack me up. Kids are often not the best secret keepers, so I got told all about divorces, pregnancies, affairs, car accidents, bad older brothers, mean siblings, you name it I heard it. Sometimes I am a little sad to hear about the bad stuff happening right here in Rexburg's Mormon Bubble, but life is life and we just do our best and endure. Most of the time things aren't so depressing. I was told the most wild things that I had to suppress a smile or an explosion of laughter when I heard what some kids had to say, in all seriousness.

This is what the kids at Adams taught me:
From the Kindergartners I learned...

• When telling a girl not to forget her bookbag as she left she whispered, "It's backpack not bookbag. Remember like Dora!" Of course, silly me!
• I was supervising kinder drop off. When this little girl says "I have diarrhea" (sad voice). And another little girl goes "ME TOO" (happy voice)... ""BUT I am not allowed to bring it to school" So girl 1 says "You want to bring your diarrhea to school?" Girl 2 says "YEAH, I got it for my birthday. But my mom says I cant bring it to school" Girl 1 says "you got diarrhea for your birthday" Girl 2 says "yes I got diarrhea for my birthday... it has a lock and i write in it all the time" (very proud voice). SO I say "OHHH You mean you got a DIARY for your birthday" then I sound it out for her and tell her that she means DIARY not diarrhea . Anyway she still couldn't say it the right way she kept saying diarrhea, diarrhea, diarrhea. So then girl 1 goes on to explain that diarrhea is the wet poop that doesn't come off your butt when your wiping. Girl 2 goes "EWWW GROSS, Why would you want that."
• Be careful what you ask ... I asked a kindergartner (boy) if the boy he was sitting next to and talking with was his friend, and he shook his head and said "No he is a bully but my Mom says I have to be nice to everybody." (The boy he was talking about was still right next to him, very discreet kid)

On the Playground I learned ...

• Honesty is the best policy. When I asked a boy why he shoved this girl, he said "I am a bad boy and I have a short temper. I will count to ten next time. Pinky swear." (I still made him sit on the wall for a few mins)
• Never underestimate a child. I remember when I was in school and thing I always longed for is to escape. Well at recess one day I discovered some kids had pulled up the fence and there was a huge gap that they were climbing out through. Yeah dangerous! Everyone ran back and forth, they were all too scared to actually run away. But WOW I felt bad when a lady from the business next door came by to tell me kids were running across her parking lot, they all darted back onto the playground when I came close. I told the principal early this month... still not fixed. So I just keep an eye on the hole in the fence so no kids escape.
• Dress for the weather. One day I decided to wear a skirt to school and look real nice, wrong day to pick because it was freezing and wet/rainy. For recess I was trying to fight away my shivers. A girl came up to me and said "Are you cold? Why did you wear that today? That wasn't very smart, it is too cold for high heels." I was thinking it was too cold for my thin little blazer and my skirt, but high heels works too.
• Sugar can kill you. A little girl came up to me and said "Are you going to be out here everyday?" I answered "Yes" and then she responded with "Well don't eat too much sugar or you will get sick and die and you wont be here anymore."
• Make-up =Marriage. 4th Grader: "Are you wearing glitter?" Me: "Yeah, it is the make-up on my eyes" 4th Grader: "Why do you wear make-up?" Me: "Because it makes me look pretty." 4th Grader: "Are you trying to get married?" Me: "Actually I am already married." 4th Grader: "OOOOHHHH" .... "Then why do you want to look pretty?"
• First Graders came up and told me they were playing "lifesavers", they said they want to be just like me, and go around and help people. When someone is crying I go save them. So I am now known as the lifesaver, I feel like a superhero :)

In the Computer Lab I learned ...

• When asked what the number one rule in the computer lab is several students answered, "No Chewing on the Cords". I will have to add that one to the list. (2nd Grade)
• One day there was a few minutes left so I gave them free time, they just had to ask me what sites they wanted to go on. One boy raised his hand real high, and shouted out "Can we go on Barbie Princess?" (3rd Grade)