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?









4 comments:

  1. Oh, the places we will go, the lessons we will learn when we follow our Lord, our hearts, our passions! You go, girl! As God blesses, you bless, as you bless, you are being blessed ~ that is the diameter of the circle of LOVE!

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  2. Oops, I meant circumference of the circle of LOVE! Obviously I am NOT smarter than a 6th grader!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Loved this post, Janet! It was just precious. And I just want you to know that I'm here in the background praying my heart out for you!

    I don't think I could be smarter than a 3rd grader right now - seriously, especially with the technology savvy that they have!! You continue to impress me...just sayin'

    Miss you, but totally understand the demands of this *season* in your life.

    What lessons am I learning? The same ones - Seeking Him first, not approval. Trusting Him completely, not my own understanding. Growing in His Word and His promises, not staying stagnant.

    Evidently, I'm a slow learner...

    GOD BLESS! :)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I LOVE happy, healthy, sparkly comments!