"growing pains"

About a month ago, a student sat down and said,
"Every time I walk, my legs cramp up. It's probably growing pains or some crap like that."

Now, I don't usually use that word (you probably know which word), but it was SO FUNNY because this student seemed so irritated with the "growing up" phase of life.

Shortly after, he said, "I wish all of my fat would go into my legs so I could just run it off."

This kid isn't particularly large, but he has some adolescent softness, so-to-speak.

I was laughing so hard at these comments. Good thing I wrote them down for later!

Yesterday, some students were joking about ebola and for some reason, herpes came up. One student explained to the other student, "Herpes is when you make out with someone." (That student caught me laughing...pretty hard. Oops.)
The other student in this exchange had some paint on his arm and proceeded to joke about "touching [the other student] with his herpes." I'm not entirely sure they understand what herpes is...

Middle school can be so entertaining.

-Ms. Damron-

The Good and Bad of Resource Learning

At the end of last year, I gave my students a short survey. The survey included the following questions:

1. What did you like about Resource Learning?
2. What did you not like about Resource Learning?
3. What lesson stands out to you the most? Why did you like it?
4. What did you find totally boring?
5. What can I do to change it?
6. Were you able to accomplish what you needed to in this class?

I got some interesting responses. It's amazing how many students said things like, "I liked everything..." "Don't change anything..." And yet - there were days when I could tell that they were totally bored and not particularly enjoying themselves. Middle school kids are just the greatest. haha

These were some sweet responses though:

"I'm going to miss this class because it's fun and I am going to miss all of my friends that i made this year and last year but most of all I'm going miss you you are the best teacher ever and the nicest teacher ever so I'm going to miss you."

"I loved this class. It is so much fun! You should go OUTSIDE more often. Everything was helpful. I think this class is really fun. You should do a lot more games. Nothing was bad. I loved everything. I was able to accomplish everything. You should give a reward for every time someone brings their planner signed and filled out." This student also wrote, "There is a turkey on the back."

In response to #1: The fun projects and activities we do. Being with the most amazing teacher ever Ms. Damron."

This last one is my all time favorite. If only you knew this kid. He is quirky and strange, but so fun.

"Dear person who taught me,
I like how it is a homework class but I don't have Jack. I loved the slide show. It was totally awesome! I didn't like how you didn't teach for a while. You are so much fun. I like it when you laugh. I feel accomplished and happy I accomplished not much because I could do that at home. Don't change a bit. See you next year and good luck."

(I had a student teacher winter semester, so that's what he's talking about when he said I didn't teach.)

I hope you enjoyed these as much as I did!

-Ms. Damron-