How to Stump Your Students

LearningLife · #1 01/26/15, 09:28 PM

I teach high school English, and I absolutely love my students. I love to talk to them, and I love sharing my love of everything homestead-y with them. We just started a new semester last week, and I haven't really had much time to do that with this new group, yet. I have a class full of seniors I have never taught before, so they don't know about our little hobby farm. Today, they came into the classroom, and we began chatting before the tardy bell rang. The conversation went something like this:
"Hey, Mrs. H. Did you have a good weekend?"
"Yes, I did. Thank you for asking."
"What did you do?"
"I sold babies."
"Wh...wha...what kind of babies did you sell?"
"Only the boy ones." Silence. "Now, let's take a look at this week's vocabulary list."

I continued as though that were the end of that - back to business. You should have seen their faces! I probably should have clarified sooner than I did that I sold four bucklings this weekend, but I like to keep them wondering. I did eventually fill them in, but it was fun to let them try to figure out what I was talking about.

I love my job.

marusempai · #2 01/26/15, 09:42 PM

Oh dear.

My husband keeps pulling the "and we're expecting some new kids in March... goat kids, that is!"

He always waits until every eye in the room ZOOMS in on me before qualifying that no, I am NOT pregnant. I've warned him that if he does it again in my presence he might get smacked.

nehimama · #3 01/27/15, 10:37 AM

I'm thinking your students enjoy your class - a LOT.

dozedotz · #4 01/27/15, 10:45 AM

What a great story! It gives me hope that all is not completely insane in the classroom just knowing that they actually asked you how your weekend evolved!! All we see on the news is the bad things that happen between student and teacher and frankly, it is of great concern to this grandmother. How nice that you like your job, too!!

LearningLife · #5 01/27/15, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dozedotz

What a great story! It gives me hope that all is not completely insane in the classroom just knowing that they actually asked you how your weekend evolved!! All we see on the news is the bad things that happen between student and teacher and frankly, it is of great concern to this grandmother. How nice that you like your job, too!!

I'd worry, too, if all that I knew of schools today was what is on the news or the horror stories that get spread across social media. I tell my students that I definitely did not go into teaching for the big money. I'm there because I like hanging out with young people; I like talking to them; I like learning from them. Heck, I even like them (mostly). The fact that I get to share literature, writing, and learning with them is just icing on the cake.

That being said, there are days when I can't wait to get home to my goats, who are only slightly more cooperative than some students.

TRAILRIDER · #6 01/27/15, 03:48 PM

I would have loved to have a teacher like you when I was in school!

On a similar theme. I work in a bank and every time some one mentions a name that I like, I write it down. "That's a good name for a goat!" My name list is up to around thirty by now. Our new customers are the ones really surprised. They come in to open a new account and I over hear their name...."Oh! That's a good name!"
I only have 7 does bred this year and I'm hoping for some keeper doelings. Emma, Sadie, June, Joy, Luna and Lilly are topping my list : )

LearningLife · #7 01/27/15, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRAILRIDER

I would have loved to have a teacher like you when I was in school!

On a similar theme. I work in a bank and every time some one mentions a name that I like, I write it down. "That's a good name for a goat!" My name list is up to around thirty by now. Our new customers are the ones really surprised. They come in to open a new account and I over hear their name...."Oh! That's a good name!"
I only have 7 does bred this year and I'm hoping for some keeper doelings. Emma, Sadie, June, Joy, Luna and Lilly are topping my list : )

Our goats are all named after authors. Since I'm an English teacher and my husband's an English major and a writing consultant, it just seemed right that our livestock would follow the literary theme. It's funny when I have students who share names with some of our goats. "Oh, your name's Emily? I have a goat named Emily. She's one of my favorites!" They just don't know how to respond.

Pony · #8 01/28/15, 11:55 AM

I have heard that you don't teach a subject; you teach who you are.

How wonderful that your students are able to learn English from you!

anita_fc · #9 01/28/15, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LearningLife

That being said, there are days when I can't wait to get home to my goats, who are only slightly more cooperative than some students.

I would think goat wrangling would be excellent practice for dealing with teen agers! Lol

Doug Hodges · #10 01/29/15, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LearningLife

Our goats are all named after authors. Since I'm an English teacher and my husband's an English major and a writing consultant, it just seemed right that our livestock would follow the literary theme. It's funny when I have students who share names with some of our goats. "Oh, your name's Emily? I have a goat named Emily. She's one of my favorites!" They just don't know how to respond.

Mom taught English at the University of Arkansas. My sister taught Spanish at Siloam Springs to high school students and is now teaching English at the U of A. She is also published and enjoys writing more and more. I was always the kid that the other kids made fun of because of the way I spoke until they began to realize I wasn't the dumb one. Lol.
I don't teach. I do volunteer coach for the Upwards programs and I teach my salesman to sell. They say I preach a lot. I can't help it. I grew up listening to Grandpa at church on Sunday's.

I have to watch myself when posting on Facebook or conversing in group emails with the family. Can't let my English Teacher family down.

I really enjoyed your story. I had great teachers. It seems we goofed off and told stories during class but we usually won at all the math, science, English, etc fairs. The best teachers are the ones that make it fun. You seem to be one of those. Great job.

http://www.spottednubian.com/index.html
https://www.facebook.com/doug.hodges.750