The Little Things

I have a lot of little things in my life right now.

They are five years old and they all speak Spanish. They are the coolest kids ever. Last week I went wild and decided to finger paint with them. The morning class was complete chaos. Kids were painting on the tables and their aprons. They got paint on their faces and even on my clothes. It was wild, but a ton of fun.

I made some drastic changes in the plan, and went for it again during the afternoon. AND, it was fantastic. After we started, there was complete silence. They were so into painting. Instead of fingers, we used long q-tips. They experimented with mixing colors, and painted some really creative and wonderful things.

They kept asking the para and I to help them paint cool things like dragons, crocodiles, and ShinyNathan.

*Side story:
This week we studied insects and birds. On Monday morning, I caught a butterfly, brought him to class, and let the students name him. The morning class named him Shiny. The afternoon class? Nathan. One of the school's students shook Shiny/Nathan until he become... immobile.

Each week we use our "magic" to create a new letter out of paper. "Abracadabra, Kalamazoo, turn this paper into something new, WOOSH." So, to avoid approaching the "death" subject, I told them that I was practicing my magic, and I missed. I accidentally hit Shiny/Nathan's jar, and POOF. He disappeared. However, I told them that he was still out there somewhere and to keep their eyes open.

For the next three days, students came to class with testimonials of seeing Shiny/Nathan in their aunt's back yard, outside the school, in the park, and many other random places, like the produce section of the grocery store.*

So, after the painting, the students were on a creative trip. The smartest student in the class, which I told you about a couple posts earlier, told me, "I'm going to be an artist when I grow up, Mr. Seth." How awesome? Well, when his dad arrived, he told him the same thing. His dad looked at him square in the face and said, "No you're not."

And that was that.

I was slightly devastated. I spent an entire class period encouraging artistry and creativity in my students, and in one moment, a parent squashed that. I felt in that moment that I could do wonderful things to encourage original and abstract thinking in my students on a daily basis, but that effort could be smashed by their parents each evening. Why do children love to color, draw, paint and be creative while adults despise the thought of it? What changes in us?

Regardless of the answer, I want to strive to incorporate that kind of thinking. I want to strive to be "that" teacher. The "loud" one. The "unorthodox" one. The "a little off" one. The "_______(fill in the blank)" one.

How can I incorporate that? Here's my first idea.

An Airzooka. Shoot it at kids that aren't paying attention, sleeping, or get an incorrect answer. 

If only that would get approved by my principals. Long shot. Going for it. 

Peace, love, and Airzookas, ya'll. 

Things I Wish I Could've Tweeted Tonight

"There's no way in hell that I'm eating aborted fetus cells."

"I don't wanna eat a chinese hamster ovary."

"Another reason not to name your son Tucker. His four year old handwriting will make his name look like "*ucker."

"Guys, I had the best poop of my life today."

"I haven't had much luck with South Koreans."

The list will grow and grow and grow. Expect more installations of "Things I Wish I Could've Tweeted..."

Peace, Love and #Hashtags, ya'll.

Seth

Thankful.

It finally happened. After planning for days, requesting and collecting 45 donated kites, tracing kite cut out, organizing 18 high school volunteers, rounding up 20 college volunteers, four batches of cookie dough (three of which I had to remake), two hours of rolling, cutting and baking, several attempts at just the right frosting colors, and a thousand prayers, it finally happened.

Kite day happened.

And, despite the rain and murky day, it was INCREDIBLE. We read a really hilarious book, got some one on one reading time, made a decorative kite, and decorated two delicious sugar cookies for a snack! Then, they received their VERY OWN kite to take home and fly with their families. How cool.

My high school students did a great job interacting with the kids and helping them get everything decorated and assembled. The kids had a really great time with them!

However, my college friends knocked it out of the park. I've never been more proud of my friends. They rose to the occasion and showed up ready to serve and ready to love those kids. And that's exactly what they did.

I saw my two worlds collide. I often catch myself talking with my college friends entirely too much about my students. I often think, "I'm sure they don't want to hear this, but..." But in all honestly, that is my life. School and teaching are my reality. I devote eight hours each day (Who am I kidding? 12+ hours) to my students. When that much of your thought is devoted to one thing, you're bound to talk about it.

I wasn't expecting what happened at dinner, though. I sat with a couple of my best friends who volunteered, and I found them doing the exact same thing I did!

There is something about a child that is infatuating. Their innocence, curiosity and honesty pull us in and intrigue us. They steal our hearts quicker than it can beat.

When we spend any significant time with them, we can't help but reflect aloud and talk about them.

Today, my buzz word is thankful. I am so thankful for the 20+ people who purchased a kite for this special day. I'm thankful for my high school volunteers who instigated this day. I'm thankful for my college friends who loved the kids with such ferocity. I'm thankful that God provided the means and inspiration.

So, instead of another written thank you that can often seem empty. I'll let the kids tell you.

* This is Victor's thank you note. Apparently he views himself and his volunteer as a mixture of Patrick from Spongebob and Pooh. Also note that victors hair flows seamlessly into his rainbow. If only he had drawn skittles.

*This is Dorian's thank you card. I swear children's book authors need to look no further than children's drawings for inspiration. This could be a story about two boys desperately fighting their way through our cruel world with no necks... or torsos...or shoulders...or hips.

Peace, Love and Thank You!

Seth