Such a nerd!

In high school, I really began to appreciate history. I had great teachers and I finally paid attention to how interesting the stories and events from history were. From my classes, I have learned that stereotypically, many elementary teachers do not enjoy social studies and history (which can be seen when it is saved for the last of the day when there is no time left). BUT, I am not the norm. I LOVE social studies. If it wasn't for the ridiculously hard Texes test and the history department I'm not the fondest of here, I SO would have done a history specialization. Anyways, I will only be able to teach history up until 4th grade because of my specialization. This makes me sad because there aren't "history" teachers in the younger grades...I would LOVE to just do social studies! I am enjoying it even more than language arts! Anyways, my kids are having fun with me and getting excited with me and I LOVE it! Friday they are turning into news reporters and will be reporting events LIVE from the Mexican War! I cannot wait!

Last week I lied to my students. I am not normally a liar and I want my students to trust me, but they definitely will remember our lesson. I typed up an official letter from the SHISD saying that the students would be required to pay ten cents for sharpening their pencil, then cents for getting out of their seats, etc. I gave this letter to our math teacher across the hall and told her to come interrupt our "lesson" to give me this letter. She did some wonderful acting and came in telling me that I needed to read this. So, my teacher and I reacted to the terrible news in front of the students. I read the letter to my students and they were boiling angry! They were raising their hands, questioning, telling me it wasn't fair. So, we decided that we would write letters to tell the administration why it wasn't fair. I felt bad because two of my students were crying (but Mrs. Jordan pulled them aside). They wrote these incredibly angry letters and signed a petition. After they had written their letters, I told them it wasn't real. They were so relieved/laughing/mad that I had done it. BUT, I explained to them that this is how the Texans felt when Santa Anna was taxing things he was not able to tax. It was awesome! They all forgave me and told me they would always remember that lesson. It was so awesome!

My students are asking me everyday not to leave and it breaks my heart! I absolutely don't want to leave them, I love them! But, I must do it to graduate. I am so sad about that :-(. I am going to miss them SO much.