Back in the Swing of It!!

That's what it finally feels like. We are nearing the end of the 3rd week of school and I am finally beginning to feel like I am getting back into the swing of it. At my school, there is just a feeling that the year doesn't really settle in and begin until after Curriculum Night with the parents (which was tonight), and I have to agree. After meeting all the parents en mass, it felt like the year was really beginning. Sometimes I wonder if we should move Curriculum Night up so that the start is earlier, but then I think about how much I already know about my kids because I've been with them for the last 3 weeks and I think that I couldn't possibly be as comfortable talking about them with their parents any earlier. And can I just say how wonderful the Turkish parents are?! For the second year in a row, my teaching partner and I were able to deliver our presentation in record time and have parents more than happy with the information we gave. They listened well, asked great questions, laughed at our cheesy jokes and were just KIND, KIND, KIND!! Maybe that's part of feeling like I am finally back in the swing of things... anyway... here we go and let me leave you with another funny from another student as told to me by the mom:

At the end of a presentation, a mom came to me and told me that her child was very happy in our class (I am thrilled to hear this always), but then she told me that the child was thrilled because (get this...) I wasn't preggers!!!! hahaha She said that her child was happy that I wouldn't be leaving part way through the year like the kindergarten teacher did the year before. I guess her child gets pretty attached pretty quickly!!! LOVE IT!!

Another New Year, Another New Class, Another Funny Student

One of the things I love best about teaching little kids is that they simply speak their minds and have a natural sense of timing when it comes to comedy. Every year that I have taught I have had one or two students that are just better at this than most. This year I have one such student. This child is calm, cool, collected and simply funny. As my teacher friend commented when I told her the story: this kid has a big person's sense of humour in a little body!

Here is what happened today with my little straight-faced comedian:

Kid: Can I ask you something?

Me: Of course.

Kid: CAN you have kids? (this comes DAYS after my class asked me if I had any children of my own)

Me: Sure, I can if I want them and maybe if I have a husband. (Turkish society is a little more conservative)

Kid: Do you WANT a husband?

Me: Sure... that would be nice...

Kid: Well... are you even TRYING to find one?!

Me: uh... HAHAHAHAHA

I couldn't keep it together... this kid cracks me up on the daily, but this one had me in tears... I love my job on days like this!!!!