12/14/12

This is today's warm up for Math class:

What are the next two in each of the patterns:


1. 5,8,11,14,17,___, ____

2. 1,1,2,3,5,8, ____,____

3. 2,6,18,54, ____,_____

4. M,T,W,T,F, _____,_____

5. F,S,T,F,F,S, _____,______

6. A, M, J, J, A, S, ______, _______   Can you figure it out!?

12/13/12

Weird noise came from one of my students! I asked him, "What was that?" "I coughed, sneezed and burped at the same time!" he answered.


The class started to laugh....with him of course!

12/10/12

One of my students signs her homework like this every Friday!  I laugh everytime I see it, plus it is nice that she will make me rich in the future!

12/6/12

While working independently in Math class, two students are talking while working together:
student 1: "I can never do equations. I always get them wrong!"
student 2: " I always get them right!"
student 1: "That is because you are a BEAST in Math!"
student 2: "Yeah, you are right!"

11/29/10

"Mrs. Overton, I have a joke for you....it's about teachers, but it doesn't offend them, I promise!" student says.
"Ok, I am ready!"
"Student says "May I go to the restroom please?"
teacher says "Recite the alphabet before you do."
students responds "a, b ,c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o...q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, and z"
teacher asks "what happened to the P?"
student replies "It is half way down my pants!"

"Gross!" I say
"See I told you it didn't offend teachers!"student says!

11/8/12

9 more days!!!! Down to single digits!

I received this gift from one of my students! They will be going through transition also when we come back from Thanksgiving break! Work in progress!

11/2/12

Today one of my crazier students, after the Science test begins singing this:


" Well you can tell
by the way I use my walk
I'm a woman's man
no time to talk
Music loud and women warm
I've been kicked around
since I was born

And now it's all right, it's ok
and you may look the other way
We can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man"


I wanted to laugh so hard because it is not a song most kids her age are familiar with, so I finish with "staying alive, staying alive, ah ah ah....staying alive"

Then she poses with a John Travolta disco pose! too funny!

10/30/12

By the way...today is National Candy Corn Day and National Buy a doughnut day!  Man I miss doughnuts!!!

10/30/12

Yesteday was National Oatmeal Day and National Cat Day!
So I told the kids that they could go home and eat a cat with oatmeal!
Then a student said, "Wouldn't it be better to eat oatmeal with a cat!?"
I laughed outloud because that is what I was actually trying to say.
"That would make more sense wouldn't it? and it would be less gross!" I replied.
"Yeah Ms. Torres! A lot less gross!" student replied

10/26/12

Read the following clues to determine the fist and last name, the destination, and the means of transportation for each child.  The children are Cindy, Tim, Sally and Scott-- whose last names are Bartlet, Brown, Hughes, and Miller.  The destinations are Florida, South Dakota, Colorado, and California and they are traveling by bus, plane, van or car.
Clues:
1.  The Hughes girl went by car.
2.  The family going to South Dakota went by Van.
3.  Sally went to California.
4.  The Miller boy went by bus.
5.  Scott went to Colorado.
6.  Neither the car, nor the Bartlets, nor Scott went to California.
7. Tim's last name in NOT Miller

Can you put it all together?

10/23/12

First singing Tuesday!
It was....an experience.....!
They need to get used to the idea without having a comment about every single "song".

We'll get there!

10/19/12

Math warm up for today:
"Jackson has 57 coins, all of them pennies or knickels. Is it possible that he has exactly $1.00? Explain your answer."
I give them 6 minutes to try out on their own and then we review it together.

"Ms. Torres does it have to be 57 coins?" student asks.
"Yes!" I reply
"Ms. Torres, what if I don't use every penny? Does that work?" another student asks
"You must use all 57 coins!" I remind the class.
"Ms. Torres does it have to be exactly $1.00?" another student asks
"YES!!!! you may not change, alter, or remove any part of the problem.!" I reply again.
"That's not fair!" another student yells outloud/
REALLY!!!!!!??????????

10/12/12

Our 6th grade elective classes rotate about every 10 weeks.  Today is the last day of the first elective class.  The students have known when the last day is but it seems like they just heard it for the first time today.
"Today is our last day together! Don't forget you must go to your new class on Monday." I tell the class.
"Noooooooooooooooo! We don't want to go!" the class says really loudly.
"Can't we stay with you?!  We don't want to go.  We wont have as much fun!"
" I'll miss you too!  You have never been in that class before, so you don't know.  You may have more fun than this class!" I reply to the class. "it was a pleasure being your teacher!"

I know they will be fine, but it is a really nice feeling when the class tells me that they are going to miss me!
Starting on Monday, it will be the same thing all over again with different faces.

10/11/12

We are studying the theory of plate tectonics and I asked the students to explain the change over time between Pangaea and the world today.
This was my favorite  answer "the titanic plates moved over time because of the movement of the water"
I am not sure this student studied before the test... i have a feeling, she was watching a certain movie!!!
Ha ha ha!!

10/9/12

Oldie but goody!!!!


"What can you put in a box to make it lighter?.... Give up?!" student asks even before I give an answer.

"HOLES!" Ha ha ha!!

"Now that was a funny one!" student says at the end!

10/4/12

Today is National TACO day!!!

My students were so excited about today that they have not stopped talking about their favorite tacos.
When they get this excited, I ask them to draw the national day food for the day and today I asked them to draw their favorite taco in their Science notebook.

"What? Really?!!!  We can do that?!" they asked out loud.
"Please do!  We should honor taco day to the best of our abilities!" I responded.
Mass cheer from the class!!

9/28/12

Why do the kids ask, "Ms. Torres, do I need to put my name on this test?"
REALLY?!!!!! Sometimes, I am not sure what they are thinking at all!!!!

9/27/12

Yesterday we had a school holiday so we missed the national day.  I came to school today and told them that the day we had missed was..............."National Pancake Day!!!!" 
"Oh man, we weren't here in school to know about it." kids said very sad.
" I have been hoping for this day for a while! No fair!"
"I know!" I said. "But today is national chocolate milk day!"
"Yay!!!" the class yelled! and then they forgot about pancake day.

I think it is so funny they take the National day so seriously.  It is not like they actually celebrate it or go home and rejoice in the grandeur of the day!  Kids are so funny!

9/24/12

"Today you will color and label a world map. You will label all seven continents and 4 oceans. Color each continent a different color and write them all in capital letters. Every one understand the directions?" "


yes!!!!" the class answers

We spent time going over all the names of the continents and the oceans. We took notes on them and then we took our blank maps and started to label.

"Remember 7 continents and 4 oceans!" All a different color and in capital letters." I reminded them.



Two minutes later: "Is Greenland a continent?" "You never said to color it each one a different color!" " Capital letters?" "What about central America? I know it is part of North America, but should I color it a different color as a separate continent?" "How many continents?" "what do you mean 4 oceans?" "Europe and Asis are the same continent right?" " Should I label them?" and many many many more!!!



Seriously?!............. why don't they listen the first seven times I repeat something?

9/14/12

"Why is the banana so popular?" student asks


"I don't know. Why?" I reply

"Because it has 'a peel'! Get it! Apeal!!"



Student laughed so hard, and this was strange because this student doesn't say much in class or laugh with other kids.

Too cute!

9/12/12

"Ms. Torres, how many letters are in the alphabet?" student asks.


"26" I say.

" No. There are 18" she says laughing.

"What do you mean?"

"There are only 18 because the CIA came looking for ET about his UFO!"   Way too cute!

9/11/12

Today is seven months!  I am a happy woman with a joyful heart!  Thanks Amor for loving me so much.  I am looking forward to many, many more months together and in 66 days being your wife! 

9/5/12

Everyday I post in my classroom what the National day is. Today one of my students came in asking:
"Could you make today National Pancake Day!"
"I don't pick what the national day is.  I get a daily email letting me know what the day is. Sorry!" I responded.
" All right then! Tomorrow I will send you an email letting you know that tomorrow will be National Pancake Day!.  Make sure to read my email and then you will know!" he told me.
"Oh really?  You have that much authority?  Nice!" I said.
"Well you didn't say who sent you the email....so .....I will do it!" he responsed and laughed!

By the way... Today is National Cheese Pizza Day!!!

8/30/12

First math test for the kids!!! All about decimals.... I had them repeat their affirmation saying: "I am great! I am awesome! I am smart! I can do this!"


They laugh and giggle when they repeat it, but I am hoping that they believe they are special!

8/27/12

Today as the kids came in to the classroom, I noticed lots of students with haircuts.  As I commented on how wonderful they looked, I realized that today is picture day! 
It is my curse since I can remember that I would always forget the day for pictures.  And the curse continues because of course, I forgot today is picture day.
At least I look decent enough today for a picture.... it will have to do!

8/24/12

"Where is your math homework?" I ask a student.


"I did it on the wrong workbook. I used my science workbook." student answers

"Uhmm...you mean you did your math homework in your science workbook? How did you do that?" I asked him

"I don't know, but I really tried!" he said

"Did you not realize that the cover of the workbook said SCIENCE and that there were no math problems inside to solve?" I asked him.

He did not answer!

Another student said "Yeah, dude that is not a very good lie. Just say you don't have your homework!"



6th graders! they sure make me laugh! :)

8/20/12

New School Year!!!
New stories and fun moments!!  So excited... let's begin!

"Ms. Torres do you remember ****?" student asks.

"Oh yeah! Are you his sister?" I ask with my mind fearful of crazy moments from last year.

"No, he is my cousin. BUT Ms. Torres. Don't worry, I am NOTHING like him! You can relax with me!"   "Ok, then!" I responded to her.  "you can stay!!"   Then she laughed!!

6/19/12

Today is the last day of the 2011-2012 school year!  All is put away, floors are swept, cabinets locked, and all kids are alive and accounted for (no fatalities)!  I call this a really good year!

I will miss my jelly beans (some more than others)! 

It is hard to think that I will have a new set of kids next year after falling in love with the kids I have this year!

6/11/12

Today begins the last full week of school!!!!  Woo hoo!  High Five everybody!
So one of my student walks in today and asks, "Ms. Torres if this is the last week of school, why are we doing work? I mean shouldn't we just do nothing?" 
"Well, tomorrow you have your Math Final and you officially have school for 7 more school days.  Grades are not due until next Tuesday so everything you are doing now still counts. What do you think? Should we be doing school work this week?" I ask her.
"Oh, you mean school still counts?!" she asked shocked.
"Sweetie, school ALWAYS counts!" I replied last. 

Let me tell you, she looked so disappointed!!!!

5/17/12

We are watching "Planet Earth" in Science class to learn about different Earth biomes and their organisms.  Today we are watching the ice worlds and its organims and how they survive.  There are lots of survival skills needed in these ice worlds and many animals do not survive.  One student says outloud "Nature is so mean!  I am not watching this anymore!" 

She will change her mind when we get to the forests, I know she will.  All kids love the forests!

5/10/12

Today in my teacher mailbox I received two beautiful roses with a note from an anonymous student!  I am definately smiling!
Check these out....

I am glad I don't teach them English ;)

5/9/12

"Why is Cinderella really bad at playing Soccer?" Student asks,
"Is it because she only has one shoe?" I reply
"No, Ms. Torres.  It is because she keeps running away from the ball!  Get it?  Ball like the dance, not the soccer ball!"
"Too funny! I like that!"  Then we laughed a lot. 

5/8/12

This week is TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK and Wednesday is teacher's day.

One of my students asked, "Ms. Torres, I want to appreciate you this week. How about if I just give you less headaches this week? Will that show my appreciation for you?" "That would definitely be nice. But, since you apparently know that you are a pain in my head, how about focusing on not being a pain?" I asked him. " I can't promise you anything more than this week Ms. Torres!" he replied. Then the whole class laughed!!
That was yesterday...and let me say that he is having a hard time keeping his promise. LOL :)

5/3/12

The school library had a contest to see who could read 1 million words in two months. I had a few of my students participating in the contest. One student in particular was really eager to win because he has entered every single contest the school has had to offer and has not won a single one. Last week he told me "Please Ms. Torres, could you please cross your finger and pray for me so that I could win? I really want to win!". He is so cute. So, today they announced the winner of the contest and it was him!!! He is so happy! But what melted my heart was when he asked me today "Ms. Torres, since I won this contest because of you and how you helped me with the books that I read and your encouragement, could I share my prize with you? I got $50 dollars to buy anything in the school book fair. Is there anything you wanted to buy from the fair? I want to get it for you!" How do you not melt????!!!!

5/2/12

I was not at work yesterday so when I came back today the kids insisted that we should have singing Wednesday because we missed singing Tuesday. How could I say no...so we did! As one of my students was singing his answer for a problem involving volume, he sang, "The answer is 72 inches". "You are missing something in your answer. Remember it is volume." I remind him. "Oh yeah it is 72 inches squared." he answers back. "No not quite! Try again. " I ask him. "Oh yeah it is 72 inches triangle. Right?" he answered with a very serious face. "Actually sweetie, it is 72 inches cubed." i replied after laughing pretty hard. "I knew it was a shape!"

4/27/12

"Ms. Torres I have another joke." student chants. "Oh please make me smile" I tell her. "What mousetraps have three letters?" she asks "I have no idea sweetie" "C A T" get it? Cause they eat mice ? Seriously, I wish I could show you her face!!!

4/25/12

"Ok Ms. Torres, this is my favorite joke. How does the ocean say hello to the beach?" "How does it do it?!" I ask "It doesn't, it just waves!" You should see her face!!!

4/24/12

Two funny moments today: Joke of the Day! "Ms. Torres Why did the students eat their homework?" "I don't know why would they do that?" I ask. "Because the teacher said that the homework was a piece of pie!" she said. "Get it, because a piece of cake would be delicious!" she adds. TOO CUTE!!!! Funny moment #2 As students are coming into the classroom for homeroom, one boy comes in singing "I feel and smell beautiful. I am beautiful!" as he shimmys down to his seat. He didn't realize that I heard him and I just couldn't help but laugh. So funny, so random, so him!"

4/23/12

"Ms. Torres, I have a joke for you!" student asks. By now, I have a small group of 3-5 students that stay after the bell rings just to hear the joke. "I am so ready this Monday morning. Please tell me!" I tell her. "Ok. What starts with E, ends with E, and only has one letter inside?" she asks. I really tried to think about this one. I had to give up. "I don't know sweetie, what is it?" I ask her. "An EnvelopE!!! It starts with an E ends with an E and it hold a letter inside of it! Funny huh Ms. Torres?" I thought it was so cute.

4/18/12

"Ms. Torres, I have a papercut!! I am bleeding, can I have a bandaid?" Student asks. "Where are you bleeding?" I ask " On my finger...but the blood has not come out yet....but it will, I can feel it!"

4/16/12

Most Fridays I hold detention for the students that are not doing their homework or are tardy ALOT! So the class became very chatty today.....very weird for a Monday, so I reminded them that if anyone is not following the class rules then they will have to add their name to the detention list for Friday. "All right ladies and gentlemen. I need to remind you of the uelsof the class today. We do not talk without permission and we do not begin conversations unless they are Math and Science conversations! I need you to take control of yourselves and act like the 6th graders I know and love. Unless you are dying to spend an hour afterschool on Friday with me, then remember the rules!" I told the class. All of a sudden one boy raises his hand. "Ms. Torres, can I write my name on the list?" He asks. "Really?! You are dying to spend an hour with me afterschool in detention?" I ask. "Why not? I have nothing better to do afterschool anyway and it is better than going home, it is so boring.....so sure." he replied. Wow, I am not sure if I want to laugh at his comment or ....????? Needless to say, he will be here afterschool on friday!

4/13/12

Today is Friday the 13th! My students came in saying how they were scared for today because it is supposed to be bad luck. One of my girls asked me (at 8am) "Ms. Torres, have you seen a black cat, or spilled some salt or broken a mirror this morning?" "No, i have not!" I answered. "Oh good! then you will not have bad luck today!" she replied. They also had a pop quiz today and they all complained. "Ms. Torres we will all fail because it is a bad luck day! Do we really have to take the test?" "I highly doubt that" I replied. Most kids actually did pretty well today. I love the rain. It makes me happy. What bad luck? I don't agree with today at all!

4/11/12

It is ten minutes before afterschool tutoring is over. I have my two most rowdy students that drive me crazy still in the room. They both look at me and both ask me at the same time "Ms. Torres before we go could we please run around the room like crzay?" "Only twice around, then come back and sit down for the next ten minutes." I reply. They ran and ended on the floor laughing. Priceless.

4/10/11

I was cracking up this morning. I was having a conversation with some of my students and one boy, who is tardy every single day, comes in and wants to know what we were talking about. "You must get here on time if you want to be part of the fun in this class!" I tell him. So, as a class, we start discussing the importance of being on time and how it can affect their future jobs. "Ms. Torres, if I fail in life when I am older, could I come and live with you and your future husband?" my chronic tardy student asks. I just start laughing out loud!!!! "I am not sure that would be the best sweetie!" I say. "Well, I am a great babysitter. I could take care of your kids!" he says. Another student answers him for me "If Ms. Torres can't trust you to be on time and to bring your homework, what makes you think that she will trust you with her kids. It wouldn't make sense." This comment started so many more comments and we couldn't stop laughing for a good 15 minutes. It was so much fun!

4/9/12

My students came back from Spring Break today. Interesting haircuts and stories....but back to "normal" (54 more school days...but who is counting!) Anyway, my student came in with a list of jokes to tell me today. "Ms. Torres, I have lots of jokes for you today." she says with a huge smile on her face. "Oh I am so ready!" I tell her. "Ok, what food stays hot no matter how cold the weather is?" she asks "Wow you really got me sweetie, what is it?" i tell her "A hot pepper!" get it? Because it is hot as in spicy not in temperature. " she explains and continues to tell me another joke. "Please save them for the rest of the week. I want to laugh everyday, so please save them for later!" i tell her. "Oh good idea Ms. Torres. I will!" she answers. I did miss my kids. They are too cool!

3/27/12

As students walk in the class they make sure to remind me that it is singing Tuesday. So we did our Math warm up with singing. As always, it was so cute and funny. Later, one of my students asked me "Can we do dancing Wednesdays or maybe deep voice Mondays? Whyc can't we do something everyday?" "Let me think about it." I told her. I love how they get so into my crazyness. I think this is why I became a teacher.

3/23/12

"I have a another joke today Ms. Torres" student says "I would love to hear it. Ok, I am ready!" I told her. "What does a bull tell his son when he goes off to college?" she asks "Don't know sweetie. What?" I ask "Bi-son. Get it? Bye Son, but spelled like the buffalo BISON." she tells me " I love this joke sweetie. thank you.!" I have missed my jokes in the mornings. Cute right?

3/21/12

Look what I received today!! How cool is this?! I love my random gifts!!

3/19/12

Today I feel like such a teacher.... look what I received from a student!

Does it get any better than this? My student made me very happy!!

3/16/12

Today is Testing Friday.....Again! It has been a really long week with grades being due, report cards and parent conferences. I am so tired! I am just glad the weekend is coming soon!!!

3/15/12

Today in math class we had a word problem that included cardinal directions. The kids began asking "Which way is north again?". So I helped them by reminding them of "Never Eat Shredded Wheat or Never Eat Soggy Waffles" going clockwise. "Can we create our own way of remembering the cardinal directions?" They asked. "Sure! Whatever helps" I answered. A few minutes later.... "Ms. Torres, I found the perfect way to remember the directions that will help all students. Ready... 'Never Ever Smoke Weed!" "Oh my!" I replied while laughing outloud. "Yes, please never do that!!!"

3/14/12 PI day ∏

Happy PI day ∏ !!!! Today is March 14 (3/14). In Math class we are talking about what PI stands for and how it is an infinite number. "PI π is a mathematical constant that is the ratio of any circle's circumference to its diameter. π is approximately equal to 3.14 that is why it is acknowledged today on March 14. It's decimal representation never ends and never repeats." I tell the class "Why do they call it pie? Is it because pie is so delicious in a never ending way?" student replies! Too cute!!!

3/13/12

"I have a joke Ms. Torres! I have a joke for you today!" student tells me so excited. "Oh I am so excited to hear it!" I say "what cookie makes you rich? A fortune cookie!" LOVED THAT JOKE!!! Another student comes and tells me another joke, "What do you call an alligator in a vest?" "I have no idea! What?" i ask "An investigator!!!" So cute.

3/9/12

Today is test Friday (every Friday is test Friday!). Students are taking a test on the measures of central tendency and probability. "Ms. Torres, I know this is a multiple choice question, but what if I get two answers?" student asks. "In a multiple choice question you may only have one answer." I reply "I know that, but what if I get two answers? Will I get it right or wrong?" he asks again "If you choose two answers then it will be marked wrong." I tell him. "Oh! So we can't get two answers?" he asks again "No!" I have never had this questions before. Makes you think. How did he get two correct answers? If one answer is right, then the rest have to be wrong!

3/8/12

"All right guys, tomorrow you will receive your grade slip for my classes. You will know what your parents will see in the report card that goes home!" I tell my classes today. Later on, a student comes to my desk and asks "Ms. Torres, could I have my grades today during homeroom?" "You will receive them tomorrow sweetie! Is there a reason why you can't wait until tomorrow?" I ask. "Well, I need a warning about the warning grades my parents will receive as a warning of my report card!" he responds. I just started laughing. YOu should have seen his face trying to make sense of his statement. He just burst out laughing. ______________________________________________________________ Science class today: "Rivers have several stages. Youthful, Mature, Old and Rejuvenated" I tell the class. "So youthful rivers are like us, pre teens and teenagers and Old rivers are like you, right?" a student comments. "Ooooh", the class responds waiting to see my response. "It is a good thing this old teacher is working on grades right now!" I reply. "Oh! can I get extra points for having a sense of humor?" she replies. "Get it Ms. Torres, sense of humor? Ha, ha!!!" When will they learn!!!

3/7/12

What can be worse as a teacher than waking up with a migraine and still having to go to work? Coming to work and having the principal observe your classroom and stay one whole hour, writing nonstop notes on everything you say, on what you have on the board and what you have on your daily agenda. Of Course he would come today!!! I have been ready with great lessons and group activities for the past two weeks and he walks in today when we are doing reading as a class and team work (not bad by the way) and I have a migraine.....he would do that!!! But of course I have great students (that although on a day like this they seem more annoying than usual) that cheer me up without even knowing. "Ms. Torres, what has four eyes and cannot see?" student asks " I actually have no idea. what is it?" I say "Mississippi of course!" she says "Ms. Torres I am finally getting a haircut on friday!" boy says "Oh good, we will get to see your face. Wait, i have to wait until Monday to see it? Not sure if I can contain my excitement until then!!!" I respond "Aww, Ms. Torres, now I feel guilty for getting a haircut" he says "Why guilty?" "Because every one will laugh at me when I come to school on Monday!" he responds "I don't think everyONE will laugh. I will laugh and comment on how handsome you will look!" I say "I knew it! You will comment!" he replies.

3/6/12

My students swear that I had promised them that Tuesdays would be singing Tuesdays. I don't remember making that promise, BUT who am I to deny them this? So, we sang our Warm ups today again! I also asked them to sing during elective class. We found the next Alicia Keys in this class!!! She is shy but I can tell she has a great voice. I have so much fun with the kids!! ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ms. Torres, I have another Joke: "Alarm clock goes off and person in the bed does not get up. Mom yells, 'get up! it is time to wake up and go to school'. 'I don't want to go to school today! comes a whine from the bed. 'You have to go!' mom replies 'But why? I don't want to go!' another whine from the bed 'You have to go sweetie.....You are the principal!' You should have seen my student laughing! She was cracking up! This is how I feel so many mornings. "Why do I have to go....Oh yeah.... I am the teacher and I have to be there!"

3/5/12

Today is NATIONAL CHEESE DOODLE DAY!! In order to honor this special day, I have given my students instructions that there must be a cheese doodle in all their assignments today. In Science they have to create a diagram in which they represent the water cycle. As part of the assignment I have challenged them to incorporate a cheese doodle in the picture. Their ideas are so funny! " Can I draw a beach with a sea gull stealing the cheese of a kids burger? "Can I make a park in which the clouds are in the shape of different types of cheeses? "Would it be ok if I create a city in which the people are string cheese people?" Some want to go too far as creating cheese lava volcanoes with oozing cheese and then nachos explode from the volcano. I had to draw the line somewhere! Oh the power of cheese!!!

3/2/12

The jokes began really early this morning and I was very happy about that. I prayed for a wonderful Friday today and God already answered with my great kids. "Ms. Torres, again today you are lucky because I have another joke for you. What three letters turn a girl to a woman?" she asks Oh my! I thought. "Becoming a "MRS.?" I replied. "No Ms. Torres! A G E! Get it? AGE? Because you get older with age!!!" she says very enthusiastically! I love my daily joke. I know great things will happen today. Looking forward to the rest of today!

3/1/12

Today the students did their final presentation for Erosion vs. Weathering. They did their thinking maps to compare and contrast both of these topics in groups of four. "Why do we have to do any presentations?" a student asked his teammate. "Because you will have a job in which you have to present or do research or have to talk to other people?" his teammate told him very confidently. "I don't think so. What kind of job requires you to talk to other people all the time or even present? I think we are wasting our time doing this.!" he replied. "Honey most jobs require you to interact with people!" I butted in to their conversation. "I think you are wrong Ms. Torres!" He answered. REally? Really? Be the way, he was not even here for his presentation and he let his group down and they lost points because of him. How Rude!!!

2/29/12

Today is SDRAWKCAB YAD! We started the day with 6th period and we will end with first period. Joke of the day from my student. "Ms. Torres you are in luck today because I have another joke!" she says "What did one eye tell the other?" "somebody nose about us?" I replied "You are close! Between you and eye, something smells!" How cute is this?!

2/28/12

Today has been very interesting and funny! One of my students came in singing. The rest of the kids told him to stop and his answer was " Life is better when you sing...about everything! (singing in a very bad tune) There you are with your backpack and your books...." So we decided that they will have to do the math warm up singing. If they volunteered today, they had to sing the question and the answer! Imagine this "two and five tenths plus three and eight tenths equals six and three tenths. This problem is cooooorrrrreeeeccccttt!" or "How many edges does a sphere haaaaaavvvvveeeee? The answeeeeerrrrr is nnnnnnnnnnoooooonnnnnneeee!" How much fun is this? I lllllllllloooooooooovvvvvvvvvveeeeeeee ittttttttttt!!!!!

2/27/12 part 2

I have butterflies today!!! Last week, a butterfly was left on my desk anonymously It was really cute and made in origami. I finally found out who made it and it just made me smile. Sometimes the kids can be so sweet!! I love butterflies!!!

2/27/12

Same student stayed after class today and with the biggest smile on her face tells me "Ms. Torres, I have another joke for you!" "Ok! I am ready!" I tell her. "What do you call an egg that died a long time ago?" she asks I wanted her to feel like she got me today, so I said "Rotten Egg" "No Ms. Torres, you call it EGGstinct! Get it! just like extinct!" She smiles. "I really like that one!" I said, then she skips out of the room.

2/24/12

I do love that it is Friday, but a Friday like today is happening a little too much.
My students are having a really difficult time with talking....for everything and at any time.
It takes double the time to get them to do their regular routine.
"3rd bell for the day guys!" I exclaimed.
"What? NO!!!" the whole class yelled out.
"Remember, I am your teacher not your babysitter. I am not here to remind you how to behave or control yourselves." I said.
"chirp....chirp...chirp.." from the students. Not a single word.
"We will postpone our group work today because as a class we need help. We have our detention next week!" I said.
"What??!!!!! No way!!!" they whispered.

I hate using threats on them, but I have to not only teach them Math and Science, but I have to teach them manners and behavior. Sometimes...most times, that is too much!

2/23/12

I have a few students that try to trick me with riddles.
"What flies but does not have wings?" they ask.
"Well time of course!" I answer.

"HOw do you always know the answer?" the ask
"I am just that amazing!" I tell them.
I am just happy that they have not asked me something that I don't know yet.

Another student stayed after class, really excited and with a huge smile on her face.
"Ms. Torres I have a joke for you. What did the dog say when he fell on sand paper?" she asked
I actually had to think about this one. I knew it had something to do with their bark..... "Bow wow...no....Oh yeah! He yelled, Ruff, Ruff"
"yes! Ms. Torres, you are so smart!" she told me.

I love it that they still think that about me!

2/22/12

My students have been having a really difficult time with talking. They are talking, chatting, saying answers out of turn, you name it, they are doing it. One student in particular is driving me insane...
"I need you to stop talking please!" I reminded him
"But it wasn't me talking" He replied
"Sweetie, I just need you to stop and focus"
"I am sorry Ms. Torres. I really didn't mean any harm!" he answered in a whiny voice.
I had a hard time making sure I didn't laugh outloud. He has such a hard time with self control, that I actually believe this comment. The way he delivered it was hilarious!

2/21/12

BACK AT WORK!! Not sure I am 100% excited to be back after a very restless night, but it doesn't really matter.
"Ms. Torres, is your voice back?" students ask.
"most of it is back. I still can't sing, but at least I don't sound like an old man." I replied.
"Oh good! Now you are normal again!" a student said.
"Yes, Ms. Torres, it was weird when you couldn't be yourself." another student commented.
"Am I ever really normal?" I asked.
"Yeah huh! True Ms. Torres, very true!"

2/20/12

It is Monday and I am at home!!!!!
I woke up at 7:47 AM, the longest I have slept in a long time.
As much as I love my work and my students, it is amazing to have some time off to be a little lazy (even for a little bit of time) before I do all I have to do today.
I woke up with a song in my head "I want to be billionaire so bad.... buy all the things I never had. I want to be on the cover of Forbes magazine, smiling next to Oprah and the queen...."

Days like this make me not want to go back to work because it is so nice to sleep in and do all the things I want, but then by the end of the day I realize, I would go crazy not working or seeing my students.

some time off is GREAT!!! and I am going to enjoy every minute of it today, until the next time!

2/17/12

Sales tax and tip lesson today at Burger King with my students. We had so much fun! It is amazing how easy it is for them to change their mind about me with some fast food.
"Best Friday ever!" a student said.
"Ms. Torres is so generous!" another one said
"Is this really a fieldtrip? It feels more like a student-teacher luncheon." another student said.

I took tons of pictures and had lots of laughs with them.
I love this assignment. Book practice combined with real life experience. Priceless!!!

2/16/12

Today we did our Restaurant lesson.
I have menus from five different restaurants around the school and the students receive a blank sales receipt. I am their waitress for the day and then they pick whatever meal they want. Money is not a problem for them. They get to be big spenders!!!
"Excuse me waitress Liz, I am not getting the proper service I deserve. Maybe I wont tip you 15%." A student said.
"Oh really? Then I wont be able to give you the best grade because you didn't give me the best behaviour that I deserve as your teacher?" I responded.
"Oh.....can I give you 20%?"

It is so cute to see how excited they got about this lesson. I didn't allow them to order any alcoholic beverages though....they are still under age (even if it was pretend).

2/15/12

My voice is still not completely back yet. As soon as the kids come in they ask "Have you found your voice yet?"
"It is much better now, you can actually hear me now." I tell them. "I just don't like to hear my laugh. It sounds like somebody else is in my head when I laugh. It is just weird."
"Come on Ms. Torres, laugh." they insisted.
I just nod and try to not laugh.
"Watch, I will make her laugh today. I can always make her laugh." A student tells his friend.
and yes.... I did ended up laughing pretty hard today.

I am hopeless!!!!

2/14/12 part 2

I got the most amazing flowers and teddy bear delivered to my classroom. My heart is overjoyed!!! Thanks Chuck! You are amazing!

2/14/12 Valentine's Day

Ten minutes into my day, i was showered with gifts and hugs from my babies!!! I am so loved!

2/13/12 Part 3

Usually my stories are about my students, but today I had a great one from a coworker.
Everytime there is a birthday for one of the teachers, Mrs. Saporito (my favorite person in school) bakes a cake for the birthday person. This time she told me that she would bring something for me since I can't have gluten or dairy. She gave me a bag and inside was something very gluten free and very dairy free..... a can of sardines! Gross...but oh so funny. Thanks Helen!

She actually baked me the most amazing gluten free and dairy free brownies!! Extra good day on top of an amazing weekend!

2/13/12 part 2

One Student asked me later after class...."Will your voice ever come back?" How cute is that? She looked so worried.

2/13/12

Today I have no voice. When my students heard me trying so hard to get them to listen, they just got so concerned and asked "What happened to your voice?" They asked. " I lost it on Saturday, and I don't know where it is." I joked. Then one student said, "Don't worry Ms. Torres, I'll help you find it. I'll keep my eye out for it"
Another student then said, "Could I please be your second voice today. If you need to get our attention, just tell me and I'll make sure they hear you."
"I'll be your third voice." "I'll be your fourth voice." They kept saying.
This brought me so much joy and made me smile. They are so sweet.

2/9/12

Today I had a conversation that happens a lot in my family.
"Ms. Torres, I am your favorite student right? I know I am." a student said,
"No! I am her favorite student. I know because I make her smile a lot!" another student said.
" I have no favorites in my class" I responded. "you all are my favorite."
"You love us though right? I know you love us!" student asked.
"That I can guarantee! I love you all so much!" I responded.

How does your heart not melt?

2/8/12

This week has not been a joy to come to work. It has been hard to get to work in the mornings and hard attending the meetings that are required. I somehow find such joy in the faces of my students. I know that eventhough I am cranky, irritable and moody with the "higher powers" in this district, I can find a smiling face or a student yelling my name across campus. This helps me get through the day.

I received a few new students for the second semester and they look so scared and lost in my class. I make it a point to try to reassure them and help them, but I've realized that I don't have to. Several of my students that have been with me since September have taken it upon themselves to explain and make sure the new kids are understanding. I even heard one student explain the lesson personally to the new student. Those moments.....priceless!

2/6/12

During the Math warm up this morning, a problem said that a boy worked for 3 days and made $70.
"What kind of work gives you that much money?" a student asked.
"I don't know. Maybe mowing lawns, babysitting, or helping old ladies cross the street" I joked.
"Ms. Torres would you pay me if I helped you cross the street?" another student asked.
"Did you just call me old?" I asked.
"No.... I mean no! But would you?"

2/3/12

"Ms. Torres, you should be in the school talent show" a student tells me today.
"Why do you say that?" I ask
"Because you have perfect voice" She answers
"Wow! Perfect? How do you know?" I ask
"You are always singing Ms. Torres. We hear you all the time!"

I guess I am always humming or singing in my classroom and many times I don't even notice it.
What a compliment! Made me smile!

2/2/12

Today my coworker has a headache. She asked me to press a pressure point on her shoulder. As I was pressing her shoulder, the students were coming into class and were asking "What are you doing?"
"I am killing Ms. Saporito. I don't want any witnesses." I said.
A student walks by and says, "Don't worry Ms. Torres I wont say anything!"

Ms. Saporito just laughs and says "Thanks a lot! That is not comforting for me!"

2/1/12 part 2

Some of my students heard me have a conversation about how I cannot have any wheat or dairy anymore. So one of them asks me what is wheat, so I explain it to him. Then out of nowhere one of my students asks "Isn't that illegal to have anyway?" "What do you mean?" I ask. Then next to her another student says "No, she said wheat not "weed".
"Please don't go home telling your parents that Ms. Torres is not allowed to have "weed" anymore. That would be bad!" I responded.

Then we laughed for about 5 minutes. Hillarious!!!

2/1/12

Yearbook teacher came in today to take pictures in my class for the yearbook. Most kids got shy and hid their faces, but some posed for the camera like big hams.
"Make sure they take your best side!" I told the kids
" I don't have a bad side Ms. Torres!" A boy student answered.
How do you not laugh at that.
____________________________________________________________________________
"Don't forget that today is tutoring afterschool today!" I reminded my students.
"I will be here today." Boy answered. " I don't have to feed my guinea pigs today. That was the important thing I had to do last week, that is why I was not here!"

Apparently, I am not as important as guinea pigs!

1/31/12

The lights were dim in the classroom during my Math lesson because I was using the projector. I gave the class a problem to work on their own and then I hear "Ms. Torres we don't have good reception here!" from a student.
I turn to look at him and he is holding his solar calculator up searching for light. Hilarious! I actually was laughing outloud (which I don't do often). Sometimes their comedic timing is perfect.

1/30/12

I was explaining to my students why I was out on Friday.
"Around 1:30 AM on Friday I was taken to the emergency room because I was in so much pain. I am so sorry that I was gone! I missed you so much"
"Ms. Torrres, I knew it! I had so much suffering in my heart exactly at that time." a students says.
"Really? Are you that in tune with me?" I asked
"Well, no, but I am sorry you were in pain, don't apologize for not being here if you were in pain"
They do love me!!! <3 <3

They don't have to admit it but I know they were so happy to see me today! I was so happy to see them and to be back to work.

1/26/12

A table basket of supplies broke so I went into a cabinet and grabbed a new one and placed it on the studetn's table. Then I went into my drawer and grabbed a label for the basket.
One of my students was so surprised and said "Hey, where did that come from? Do you have a guy that knows a guy Ms. Torres? How did you get it so fast?"

1/25/12

Every morning I open my classroom door around 7:25-7:30 to let kids come in early and maybe get started or come in from the cold or rain. Everyday one of my students comes in and chats with me. Then when the bell rings and it is time to take attendance, she hides under the table to see if I will notice her and maybe mark her absent.
Really? She knows I know she is here. She really thinks I would forget? I am getting old, but come on!

1/11/12

"So Ms. Torres, have you seen the Muppets movie yet? You must it is so amaaaaazzzzziiiiiinnngggg!!! "
Random questions from my students. They are so much fun...sometimes

1/17/12

"Ms. Torres, why can't it be December again?" student says in the middle of Science class. "Why?" I ask. "Because then I can eat tamales again!!!"
Holiday food is amazing! I like how he thinks.

1/18/12

"I wish I was in your class from the beginning of the year?"student says.
"You like my class?" I ask.
"yes! It is a lot of fun!"
"What makes it fun? That I make fun of you?"
"No, it is that I can make fun of you and you don't get mad, just respond with better comebacks. No other teacher does that!"

1/19/12

"The Atmosphere is the part of Earth that contains a mixture of gases that surround the Earth."
"Gases! Hee hee hee!" said a student.
I have to remember that they are still 12 years old. Come on... you know you thought it too!

1/23/12

Today, Science lesson: "All matter is made of constantly moving particles. When particles move they have kinetic energy. The faster the particles move the more kinetic energy they have"
"Ms. Torres!! Then that means that I must have tons of kinetic energy, because I can't stop moving!!"

1/24/12

"For #17 you may answer the questions with a written explanation or you may draw a picture or diagram. I even wrote it on the board so you can remember. Does everyone know what to do? Great! You may beging!"
10 minutes later, 4 different students come up to me and ask "For #17 do i have to write or can I use a diagram?"
Next period, 6 students asked the same question.


AAAHHHHHH! Reallly?! I know I am loud, so why don't they listen!