And they let you teach?

Today I embarked on the week long process of teaching the holidays. To teach one, you have to teach them all. So, we cover, Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Eid, Winter Solstice, Chinese New Year and Kwanzaa. I started off with Christmas today. I found a video that showed the history and how it is celebrated around the world. God forbid MCPS allow us to incorporate a little kid-like fun into the curriculum so we have to do our best to work it in. I chose to use it as a Write to Inform (one of our grading points this quarter) activity. So, after the kids watched the video, we talked about connections, and shared with a partner. A couple of my kids don't celebrate Christmas... 2 for religious reasons and a few others who are new to the country and probably think Americans are nuts.
I realized what a massive failure this "lesson" was...and I use the term lesson loosely here. After looking over their writing I saw two kids that totally missed the boat and a few others that were a bit confused.
In the missing the boat column comes 2 noteworthy writing samples. One started with "Christmas is a holiday celebrated by Jewish people." Yes, this was completely factually inaccurate, but the topic (or hook sentence as I call it) was awesome. And then another student actually wrote a letter to Santa. I asked this student about his writing......I said, "Did you tell me everything you know about this holiday?" He thought for a minute and very carefully replied, "Santa come down da shimney."
Another student kept referring to the "Christmas necklaces." This is his first Christmas. I was trying to make sense of these necklaces that go on the "stairs and the tree of Christmas." Finally, after he drew me a picture (always the go-to strategy when you have no idea what an ESOL student is referring to).....I realized these necklaces were in fact......well...let's see what your best guess is. What do you hink the Christmas necklaces that hang on trees and stairs are?
I love my kids.
It's such a joy that they are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa. Last week, one little boy was really worried and perplexed. When I asked him why he finally unloaded his big worry....How will Santa get into an apartment?
After explaining that Santa wiggles his nose and doesn't always need a chimney, the day could continue as planned.
Although my last post was sort of self-loathing, I have to say, the cheer and excitement kids feel about Santa, and lights, and candy canes, and decorating cookies with my mom (oh yes, she's coming in) and making gingerbread houses (and by gingerbread houses, I mean graham cracker houses with milk cartons) makes the excitement contagious.

and for Tia....just so you know.... all of my kids will have something to open. If anything, they've renewed my faith in the fact that the holidays doesn't have to be about giving. I appreciate all you do for them. Tahirih is warm. :) That is because of you...

On a completely different note..
one of the funniest things about teaching second grade is when you're out. I was out yesterday...and there is always one question that they HAVE to know the answer to:
Did you throw up?
It always goes like this:
Kid: Miss Mutchler! You're back! (hug)
Me: I am back! And I missed you!
Kid: Were you sick?
Me: Yes, I was sick. But I feel so much better now!
Kid: Did you puke?

Every time....


Playlist:
Winter Wonderland-Harry Connick Jr. and daughter
Around This Corner-Sarah Harmer
Rehab-Rihanna
Bell Bottom Blues- Eric Clapton
Girls Gone Wild- Ludacris

It's the holiday season

So I finally finished shopping and wrapping presents.
I've recently been brought to this conclusion:
The story of Jesus and Mary, while a really great story, really isn't that far from a fairy tale. So... yeah, I know it's blasphemous, but we all know I'm secretly a Buddhist trapped in a Catholic's body.
On another note, as I get older, I find myself more and more conflicted by the holidays. First, it's commercial. You can say Jesus is the Reason and all of those other catchy sayings but let's get real: if some prophet was really the reason for all of this broo ha ha, wrapping paper would have mangers on it and the Bible section at Barnes and Noble would be wiped out.
I find the story of Santa far more joyous to be perfectly honest...
but here is what does bother me...
As each school year ticks by, I find it harder and harder to find joy in this season when I have so many kids that need so much. I feel guilty...every time...every time...I go to Target and drop 50 bucks I think..."What would (insert child's name here)'s family do with this money?" So at the holidays, it's particularly difficult.
I am so lucky that despite these financial times I have family that has supported my students. Today, mom bought one of my kids a coat and Christmas presents. Tia and Meemaw have bought clothes and other knick knacks. If anything, not only do my kids know they are loved by me, but they know my family loves them too. For 6 hours they are loved and as care free as they can be. I try to remind myself of that.
You can't save them all, but you can't stop your heart from feeling.
Playlist:
Mary's Boy Child- Harry Connick Jr. (I know, I know...sorta contradictory of what I said but I do love the Christmas music)
Got Til It's Gone- Janet Jackson ft. Q-Tip
Miss Independent- Ne-Yo
Baby, I Don't Cry Over You- Billie Holiday
God Only Knows-The Beach Boys