Saturday, October 29, 2011

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?






Well, I apologize friends, for not posting in fo'ever.

I have been working...full time... no more "SAHM".

To make a very long story super short, I decided to substitute teach part-time.
I taught for 11 years before staying home to raise my family.
The job I left was at this very school I'm substituting at , 13 years ago.
However, I did go back to substitute teach about 2 years ago, right when my father became ill. After he passed, I didn't go back, until now.

During the summer, I spoke with the secretary of this school to see if I could meet the new principal.
We met and I let her know that I would be available to start subbing,
if she needed me.
I got a call a few weeks later for a 6-week substitute position.
One of the teachers was having a baby.
Without hesitation, I said, "Yes!".

Although I knew this was a 6th grade class,
I hadn't ever actually taught 6th grade.

Although they told me it would be a 6 week stay,
I had no idea the 6 weeks would turn into 10 weeks.

Although I was excited to be working FULL time again,
I hadn't really worked FULL time in like, 13 years. (yikes)

Although I knew I would have to adjust to going to the gym, going to work, home,
homework w/the kids, their activities, dinner & sleep,
I hadn't expected to really have to make an adjustment.
Ha ha!

I was excited!

Ignorance is bliss.

I walked into the classroom the first day of my assignment, and there were 34 students.
WOW...

34 students, 10 were taller than me, I would guess 4 weighed more than me,
and I felt somewhat unprepared.

Oh well, too late to back out now!

Language Arts:
Focus study on people who took a stand in the past.
Mahatma Ghandi
Martin Luther King
Cesar Chavez

I'm doing ok...so far, you know, I've at least heard of these guys.

Math:
(I wasn't really great in Math, just ok)
Focus study on geometry, specifically, the area, diameter, radius of a circle.
I remember the radius and diameter.

How do you find the area of a circle?

?
?
?

I ask, "What is the answer to #5?
Raise your hand if you know it",
(because right now, I DON"T!)

Sergio raises his hand.

"Sergio, what is the answer?"

"Oh, it is 45 cm"

I respond,
"Wow, Sergio, great job! HOW DID YOU FIND THAT ANSWER?"
(because I don't remember.....hello...35 years ago?)

He explains,
"Well, you multiply Pi times the diameter".

Wow, I am apparently NOT smarter than a 6th Grader!

How about you?


There are times in our lives when we just need to
surrender to the lessons
that are given to us.

Although I am there to teach, it is obvious that I am also the student.

I am a life-long learner.

I know that as I age, God continues to present opportunities for me to
learn,
trust,
love,
have faith,
and
surrender.

"He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers."
Proverbs 19:8


"An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."

Proverbs 18:15


"For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;"

Proverbs 2:10


What lessons are you learning?

Where are you growing?