Anectodes

So today, I'm about to start discussing with 8th period about why American joined World War One when Payton, the kid who sits in the front row, raises his hand. "Yes, Payton?" I ask. "Miss Yadlin, did you fall from heaven because you're-" he begins with a cheeky grin. "Payton, stop right there." I quickly say. Oy, do I have my hands full with this kid. I had a little chat with him and Quentin after school about appropriate time and place. Oh and maybe not fake hitting on the teacher.

Maddie: Miss Yadlin, do you like music?

Me: Yes of course.

Maddie: What's your favorite music?

Me: Oh, I don't know, I have a lot of favorites.

Lizveth: What's your favorite song?

Me: Um, I'm not sure. I like a lot of different songs.

Brandon: Mine's Pokerface.

Me: Brandon? Your favorite song is Pokerface?

Brandon: (no response but gives me a big cheesy grin and nods)

This of course, reminds me of a day I had with the Somalian kidlets last March. Here is it as recapped in an email to my sisters:

First of all, they volunteraily wanted to do spelling tests but they were such cheaters! WHen we were checking over the answers, they would be like "look, Miss, I spelled it right!" The only way to get them to stop cheating and be honest was to withhold high fives. So one or two would go to Rob, one of the other teachers and the first time he, being unaware, gave them a high five and then looked at me and I nodded disapprovingly (at them, not him) and so he was also far more cautious with the high fives. Then we were playing this math game and I told them they needed to calm down and one of them started stroking my long hair (it's down and straight right now) and was like "You should let me so first because I'm calming your hair and giving you a massage). We played a few rounds of aniamls and a few rounds of hot potato and then they decided to tell stories. One told a story about Prince Abdi-Fatah (his name) and how he had a sword for fighting dragons and this guy named Feisal (another kid) stole the sword and so he chased after him and fought a two-headed lion and then chopping up Feisal in a cave and fed him to people (clearly no concern about cannibalism....) Then Feisal told a story that sounded hauntingly familiar.... turns out it was the exact same plot of James and the Giant Peach with a few changes. Intead of James, the kid was named.... of course... Feisal.... and instead of seagulls, they used eagles. However, the eagles were clearly not as strong as teh seagulls since they only made it to London, not New York. I was dying with laughter- tears were coming out. He was hillarious.

My life would be so boring if I didn't work with kids. Oh, and I'd really like a hair massage right about now...