Egg-cellent surprise

Yesterday I had a student (going into 3rd grade in the fall) begin sharing about how he cooks breakfast. I, being a cynic, began to play off this talk and requested such a meal the next day. Many children have a tendency to show off. I (wrongly) assumed that this was one of those cases where the student was stretching the truth to boast about something in front of their class - trust me, it happens quite often. My speedy 8-second monologue went something like this:

Mrs. Woo: Oh, so you cook, now do you? Well, I like eggs! Mr. Tommy [TA for summer], how do you like your eggs? ... Okay, he likes his sunny side up. I like scrambled. Alright, breakfast tomorrow morning!

From now on, I'm going to be just a little bit more trusting of my students when they make bold statements about their abilities. Here's why:

The kid opens the door before I've done so myself. I'm about to tell his father that I usually don't do that for another 10 minutes when I see him holding 2 plates wrapped in foil. He puts them down on my front table and gives each one a pat. "This one's sunny side up, and this one's scrambled."

I was super surprised and laughed for a good 5 minutes because I couldn't believe that he actually made us breakfast. His dad even mentioned that he woke up early to make everything. Cute! Even the napkin was neatly and purposely folded, holding a plastic fork. Later I found a sausage in there too. I should have told him that Mr. Woo really likes breakfast foods and a lot of it...

The only problem? The kid kept asking me if I had eaten it yet. "No, I've been teaching your class all morning. I will definitely eat it though." My answer satisfied him for a few moments, but then he continued to ask me every 15 minutes. It wasn't until after recess that I could tell him that, yes, it was delicious and that he did a great job in not dropping any shells in there. (I was very careful with the first couple of bites.)

Smart, charming, and already cooking? Watch out America. I may have found a future Iron Chef!

"Don't let Mrs. Woo see!"

This year, I've been stressing to my students the importance of thankfulness and why we are to help/encourage/love others. These are two areas that I am reminding myself as I teach them so it's an area I weave into any lesson I can. (Sidenote: It bothers me so when teachers give laundry lists and never explain the reason behind all our thoughts/speech/actions.)

Recently, I caught a flu bug (I know, only a week after I had the cold!) and had to stay home with my fever and jugs of water. Once my fever went down, I was back in school - we can't have people thinking I was taking an early Spring Break now could we. But it was a challenge as I couldn't use my louder "teacher voice," so everything I said was pretty much whispered. I actually do this sometimes to grab their attention. They know that if they miss what I say, that I'm not going to repeat it (if they were not paying attention), so it works wonders. 


And on Friday, I had an interesting day-long weaving of a conversation with two of my girls...

Student #1: Mrs. Woo, what's your favorite color?
Mrs. Woo: It depends. Why?
Student #1: Uh, because we're making you something...?
Mrs. Woo: It depends.

[3 hours later]

Student #2: Mrs. Woo, which sticker do you like the best? (hands me a book of stickers)
Mrs. Woo: Oh wow! ... I like this red heart and this purple heart.

[3 minutes later]

Student #1: Mrs. Woo, which color do you like the best? (hands me a pack of markers)
Mrs. Woo: Well, it depends. If it's a flower I like this color...
Student #1: It's not a flower...
Mrs. Woo: If it's a heart I like this color...
Student #1: It's not a heart...
Mrs. Woo: If it's a bunny rabbit I like this color...
Student #1: It's not a bunny rabbit...
Mrs. Woo: If it's a ...
Students #1: That's too many!
Mrs. Woo: Oh, hmm, but I like all of them!

[1 minute later]

Student #1: (Giving me all the markers that I chose earlier) Mrs. Woo, which color do you like best out of these - only one or two or three colors.
Mrs. Woo: Alright, alright...

[2 hours later]

Student #1: Are you giving it to Mrs. Woo, yet?
Student #2: No, not yet. Don't let Mrs. Woo see!
Student #1: Uh, Mrs. Woo, what did you see?
Mrs. Woo: I saw paper.
Student #1: But you don't know what's on the paper.
Mrs. Woo: No, I don't. (waiting patiently... and eagerly)

[1 hour later]

Student #2: Mrs. Woo, this is for you.
Mrs. Woo: Awww! It's beaUtiful!
Student #1: Open it now!
Mrs. Woo: I should open it now?
Students #1 and #2: Yeah!!!
Mrs. Woo: Okay!

Here it is, in it's handmade 3rd grade glory...


Envelope front:

Envelope back:

Card front:

Card inside:

How cute is that! :D Nothing makes me happier teacher than when I see my students practicing, on their own initiative, what they've been taught! Eeeee, so exciting! 

They even cut out the heart (probably because every time they ask me if they can use markers I tell them to make sure it doesn't bleed through), and were meticulous in making sure all the lines matched up to the sheet they glued it onto. 

A for details, A- for conventions, A+ for love and care. :)

Since you've been gone

My previous post mentioned why I've been having cold (but not sleepless - too tired for that) nights. Though my personal 5'10" portable furnace has been gone, I'm keeping busy with work, music, and catching up on the Olympics. I also have a Poker Night #6 update for you coming up.

Meanwhile, I was surprised today to have a pod of middle schoolers (MS) enter my classroom during lunch.

My face:  o_O  (They never come into my room unless they're in the Afterschool Program, which uses my classroom.)

One of the students (the sister of one of my own) says, "Hi Mrs. Woo. How are you doing without your husband? Mr. Woo asked us to keep you company while he was gone..."

How cute - on both parties (though I don't think she was supposed to tell me that)! I'm so touched at my husband's thoughtfulness as well as these students' kindness. :) I love working with kids! And I love my Pooki even more!!! (heart)

By the way, Husband, the school put a package for you in my box, and I opened it out of curiosity. I don't think I was supposed to though... ;) But in my defense, I saw the back of the item and then quickly closed the envelope so I don't know what the front looks like!


The shirt reads: I heart MY HUSBAND. It was my wedding gift to Pooki. His reads: I heart MY WIFE.

A day in the life of a Teacher

I very much enjoy being a teacher. I'm especially grateful for the opportunity to witness and minister to these students and their families. But there as some days when I ask myself if it's all just too much. Case in point today...

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

8:00am    Arrive at school;
                check mailbox;
                prepare for the morning
8:20am    Open door and greet students; answer parent questions;
                help students unpack
8:30am    Class begins; Morning Routing + Seatwork + Pledges
9:00am    ELL gets pulled out for tutoring
9:10am    Pledges + Bible
9:45am    Recess + Monitoring outside + Help students with Math
10:00am  Spelling/Grammar + principal observes in the back
11:00am  Language Arts/Reading + principal leaves
11:25am  Pray for lunch; Lunch
11:30am  Make sure students washed hands
               Check to see that students seated and eating
11:35am  Grab my lunch; return to classroom; forget that I need to pee
11:40am  Students come in to make up work
12:15pm  Rest of the class files in
12:25pm  Sustained Silent Reading
12:45pm  Computers
12:15pm  Math
1:30pm    History
2:00pm    Recess; group of students stay in to finish work
2:20pm    Students write down HW and pack up; send to Mandarin; go pee
2:30pm    "Teach" MS Photoshop
3:15pm    Bell rings
               Scold the 8th graders who were not on task + lying
3:20pm    Thank co-worker for covering for me the past 10 mins
               Dismiss students/wait for parent pick-up
3:30pm    Prep for meeting + search for interpreter
3:45pm    Meeting with principal and parents commences
5:50pm    Parent leaves
6:15pm    Meeting comes to an end

I missed praise practice, finally had a moment to sit and think, had a headache, couldn't believe how much I had talked, couldn't believe my day's back-to-back schedule (no recess either!), allergies started acting up again, refuse to stay late working tonight, plan to sit in a quiet and dark room, noticed that objects further than 3 feet away were fuzzy, wanted to cry (but told myself that it was not professional to do such a thing), found Husband and got a big "bear hug." No place like Pooki's arms after a long, winding day. :)

6:30pm   Husband knows it was a long day + picks up some sushi
               Feel so touched by Husband's sweet gesture and surprise
               Forget surroundings and gobble down yummy treat
7:45pm   Grab a caramel sundae from McD's
7:50pm   Excited to go to Home Sweet Home
              Husband reminds me that our nook is just a temporary tent and heaven is our real home

Roses are red...

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

You know the rest,

But my Honey is the best!

After lunch, I had my kids reading quietly at their desks and/or on the rug. Suddenly, two middle school students enter the classroom and make a beeline for my desk. On it, they purposefully place a tall glass cylinder. My students and I look at each other. I give them a shrug, and they respond with an anticipatory giggle. At this point, I'm thinking that the middle schoolers want to show me a super-cool science experiment in preparation for the upcoming Science Bowl since they had left a tiny yet bright, orange post-it, which read: Hold on please. Another seventh grader enters with the familiar blue water bottle that Mr. Woo recently received. He craftily pours the water into the (what I thought was at the time) large beaker. And so it began.

The sheepish students, one at a time, brought foliage and baby's breath. They were then followed by a long and steady trail of teenage students who individually brought in a single red roses - my favorite. Each richly luxurious stem was blooming much excitement in E101. There was squealing. There was yippee-ing. There was jumping. There was running and rushing. My kids were exuberant with ecstasy. It must have been too much for the middle schoolers because the grin they entered with quickly left their face upon their exit. Then there was me. I knew who was up to this kind of something and I loved every bit of it!

After a few roses made their way onto my desk, my third graders caught on to the pattern. A pod of them peered out the door to announce where the wiser fish were swimming out of, "Mrs. Woo, they're all outside under the stairs!" shouting out their predictions of who was behind the scheming, "It's Mr. Woo! I see Mr. Woo!" While I let the Peeping Toms proceed,  the other side of the room was shouting their commentary of, "Mrs. Woo, you're so popular!" and "This is the best day ever!" and the like. It was spectacular fun, and the juxtaposition of my kids' energetic excitement and the older students' demure display of emotions was like peanut butter jelly.

After the dozen roses trickled in, Mr. Woo popped his head in to say Happy Valentine's Day. Using the students to surprise me? Perfect.
Before we married, he mentioned that he had wanted to have students help in proposing (something like holding signs/letters to spell out "Will you marry me?"), but it didn't work out since he proposed after summer school ended and before the new school year. The seventh graders aren't cutesy, giggly kids but it was adorable nonetheless. Husband, you are genius!
You even made me think the two roses you had sent in the morning (MS fundraiser?) via students was my gift. You are getting quite sneaky... (and plastering a big smile on this very happy wife with all these flowers!)

Afterward, even though the older kids were late to Science (no worries, Mr. Woo wrote them all an excused tardy pass), we took time to take a picture with the kiddos. My students were long since reading their books, and were now waving at me with ear-to-ear grins. So I called them all out so we could take a group picture. Cute, huh?

Open House now closed

Open House came and left much too quickly, not that I was enjoying the extra work. It's an interesting concept because we put in the extra hours for a 2-hour viewing of the classroom, and at most half of my parents showed up. Yes, I do it for the school and the prospective families, but if there's one targeted group it's my own students' families. I want them to be proud of what their child has accomplished and to see the progress they've made thus far. Oh, for them to get excited about how much more they'll have learned by June!


But I am thankful for those who did show, for the parents who've been extremely supportive, and for the Lord's grace in bringing me thus far with my special batch of kids this year. They've each come a long ways since the beginning of the year, as it's evident in their journal entries, letters, other writing assignments, and notes that they write me.Without further ado, my Open House tour online exclusive (with director's commentary)...


The students have produced many writings this year - narratives, descriptive paragraphs, letters, poetry, and more.

I had many of the final drafts up on the walls, so on their desk I laid out their portfolio of each writing process along with some other work they had done, a Family Totem Pole, and their animal sculptures.

My students very much enjoy art, so you can see that the results are usually wonderful:

Many of the assignments tie into other subject areas. The artwork above was done during Art, but the final draft writing was typed up in Computers. It related to the Open Court (language arts curriculum) story "City Critters."

My favorite part of the classroom (it looks better in person):

This was, believe it or not, a math lesson. I learned of this project at Asilomar, an annual math conference. Students had already learned about multiplication and arrays, so we introduced parallel lines, perpendicular lines, and finding area. The art portion is actually based on the contemporary artwork of Piet Mondrian. Pretty neat, huh? Here's what it looks like when you first walk in - bam!

Do you remember my tree that I "planted" behind my desk? It changed leaves throughout the year (yellow and orange for fall; barren for the winter), and is now blooming with cherry blossoms for spring - a fitting backdrop to showcase their haikus!

People say that it's what's inside that counts, but I'm awfully fond of our bulletin board outside. The third grade went full force with our "American diner" theme, based on an illustration in my 2010 Sandra Boynton planner. It's super cute, and (don't tell my previous students) it just might be my favorite display I've ever created. If you look closely, you can see our pig (note the newspaper and coffee mug) and cow sitting on the barstools. It's brilliant! Oh, right, and the students' favorite food descriptions, illustrations, and crafts are up there too.

Back inside, I had all the curricula on the back table with a plate of cookies and made myself available for any questions parents might have had and/or pleasant conversation. There was no reporting-Mrs.Woo-to-the-principal shenanigans this year, so that was nice. I even received a bouquet of pretty pink tulips from the art teacher who had used it for her "gallery." All in all, it went well. I just need to make copies of some of their hilarious/insightful/touching/fantastic work so I can add it to my collection for when I need some teacher encouragement.

It's raining, it's pouring...

Courtesy of my students + Rainy day (indoors) recess:

Oh, and insert 'haHAhahaHaHaAHahah' after each one...

What did the leopard say after it ate its owner? 
That hit the spot

What did the pig say when the farmer picked him up by the tail? 
That's the end of me.

What animal should you not take tests with?
A Cheetah

Seagulls are called seagulls because they fly over the sea. If they flew over the bay what would they be called? 
Bagels

What kind of side dies every second? 
Suicide

Student #1: Why did the chicken cross the road?
Student #2: Oh, I know! The rooster was on vacation.
Student #3: ...No, the duck was on vacation.

I need air, but I'm allergic to water. What am I? 
Fire

There were 3 men on a boat. They were trying to catch a fish. A police boat saw them and crahsed into their boat. Two men got their hair wet; one did not. Why? 
He was bald.  (Initially, I needed clarification that it was three men and not people one because I thought one might have been a woman.)

Student: Mrs. Woo! How do you spell my last name? :D
Mrs. Woo: Your last name?
Student nods
Mrs. Woo: Y-o-u-r, space, l-a-s-t, space, n-a-m-e

 I've been through the 3rd grade, kiddos...

What was/is your favorite elementary school joke? :)

Help Mr. Woo win a Bible!

From now until Nov. 5, YOU can make a difference!

Let me explain... The words captivated Mr. Woo - "win a beautiful Bible!" (and who doesn't want one??) So he entered the Ice Breaker Contest. Lo and behold, his 3 entries in various categories made it to the Top 10. We understand that someone else might have entered the same line, but Mr. Woo sent in his entry 3 minutes into the game, so we're hopeful.

Now I'll let them explain...

You're invited to vote!
The Ice Breaker contest was designed to help members learn creative new ways to share using the Gospel of John. League staff sorted through the nearly 500 entries and selected the 10 best ice breakers in each of 4 categories. Now it's your turn to vote for your favorites! The top 3 in each category will win a beautiful Bible in their choice of ESV, NIV or KJV translation.
Vote as often as you like. Voting closes at midnight November 5, 2009. We'll announce the winners after we've tabulated the results. Vote using our online ballot form here.
Vote for your favorite Ice Breaker now!

Vote for "Can I share with you the best news you will ever hear?" Yes, he sent this line in for 3 out of the 4 categories. Laugh if you will (as I also did), but it was chosen among all the submissions - every time.

In return, I'm asking that Mr. Woo post something encouraging for all of us with this new, "beautiful Bible" should we win in one of the categories. (Mr. Woo, is this alright with you? I could just ask you since you're on your computer right next to me, but then it would ruin the element of surprise...) I believe he would liked the ESV. All voters who leave a comment that they have voted will receive a complimentary "gift." Look for an e-mail early/mid-November! :)

This all reminds me of Mr. Woo's very first time preaching! It happened to be at one of the middle school Chapels (and I felt like a "Soccer Mom" trying to snap pictures from various angles, on top of chairs and on the floor, after I sent my kids out to Recess).

Here it is - Mr. Woo preaching his sermon titled Dying To Live:
Friends, let's get this man that Bible.

Fashion School Bug

An episode with Mr. Woo and Mr. H in the afterschool room, and Mrs. Woo on the side entertained...

Mr. Woo: Boys, do you know how to dress yourselves?

Boys: We wear uniforms!

Mr. Woo: Okay, here's what you do. Alright, you boys ready? You ready to write this down? Boys, if you have a hard time dressing yourself here's what you do: it's two words - get married.

Student: Or live with your mom!

(Mr. and Mrs. Woo look over at Mr. H, who is currently living at home due to the minimal subject teacher's wage - and maybe his super generosity.)

Mr. H: You know what? It's not the clothes that make a man (Note: this is how this whole conversation began). It's how big his heart is.

Hm, maybe you had to be there, but it was pretty funny. It makes having students in my classroom ALL day worth it.


In other news...

I was afraid of the jumping bug that one of my girls pointed out, so being the calm, composed, and slick teacher that I am... I asked for a boy volunteer to squish it. But let out a small yelp when I witnessed it jumping. very high. toward my desk. which I was questioned about later by one of my boys, "Mrs. Woo, what happened back there?" -_-

Discount School Supply

To all the mommies and teachers:

Discount School Supply has an offer of 10% off every item with coupon code TENOFFEV. Offer good through August 3.

If you're in need of art supplies, curriculum, manipulatives, play toys, and other child development tools, head on over and take a looksie. Don't forget to sort through their free arts and crafts activities too!

For what it's worth, I made two orders in the past (including their $10 off $10 promotion) and received speedy delivery and exactly what I was expecting. My purchase included sparkle paint, brushes, paper bags, water colors, and fabric squares. A happy customer has been made! :)



The other go-to site, not only as a teacher but for scrapbooking and some wedding supplies, is Oriental Trading. For our school carnival, I was able to put together so many goodies for the students. They frequently have free shipping, and sometimes + __% off or free gift, codes as well. Currently you can use WCX8262 for Free Shipping + 15% off orders of $49 or more until August 4. (This may not be worth it for small purchases. If you're looking to order but don't have enough to fufill the minimum, you can contact me to see if I'm placing an order any time soon. Chances are, yes, since I always have items in my cart.) When I throw parties for my future children, I'm going to this site first.

Enjoy!

Note: No, I am not getting paid a cent to give my positive feedback. I still have my minimal teacher's salary (which I am thankful for). Providing my readers with resources is satisfaction enough. :)

i iz a well stoodeNt

The end of summer is near which means it's progress report time. In the midst of the awww-I-don't-want-to-go-through-ALL-of-those-notebooks-ness, there are a few shinning moments that get me to the other end. No, not the "brilliantly genius" shining, but the "haHahAhAhah" shining. All conventions theirs; here we go...

Example 1:

Describe Amber.

"Amber has sordove a messy hair. Amber is wearing black pance..."

When I say "sound it out and try your best" that exactly what he gives me.


Example 2:

Describe Amber.

"discrib amber
she is very mesy..."

Okay, I can understand Example 1, but when I write the directions/spelling on the board, is there really any excuse?


Example 3:

Write a letter to Amber about her problem with Jusin.

"Dear Amber Brown,

If you are sad because your best friend had left to Alabama. You can build two suspension bridges for the Tacoma Narrows Bridges, that will be extra fun becing an engineer. Or your best friend could write a letter to you, or you can twist the deck of Galloping Gertie. and break the cables by wacking it down and you can use a big piece of lego to wack the towers. The collapse is on 1940.

Your friend,
_______________"

I'm watching out for this student. He's either going to be some crazy good engineer or the destroyer of all bridges. Either way, his fascination with bridges amazes me.



Do you have any of your old school work? What were some of your obstacles?

They want a sub? :(

Another episode of Mrs. Woo's class. This time, summer school...

Mrs. Woo: Mr. Woo bought me a book to read to our children, but since we don't have any right now, I'm going to read the story to y'all.
Student #1: Why don't you just get pregnant then?
Mrs. Woo: Well, I'm not.
Student #2: Are you going to be pregnant tomorrow?
Student #3: Ohh! Are we going to have a sub?
Mrs. Woo: -_-

Then, later in the day... after I was done teaching them enough English and Math for one morning, they scurried off to Art where they made flower pens!

Student #3: Here, Mrs. Woo.
Mrs. Woo: Ohh, it's beaUtiful!!!
Student #1: Can I have mine back? I have you the one I made for my mom, but you can have this one.
Mrs. Woo: :/
Student #4: Mrs. Woo, this is for you.
Mrs. Woo: Wow! These are more beautiful than my wedding bouquet!
Student #4: What kind of flowers did you have?
Mrs. Woo: Well, I had roses, but these are prettier because my students made them for me.
Student #4: Actually, can I have mine back?
Mrs. Woo: :(

(She later gave it back. And after receiving a handful more from other students...)
Student #5: (shouts) Mrs. Woo is so popular!!!
Student #6: (shouts) Mrs. Woo is on the red carpet!!!

ahahahaha I suppose after the trouble they give me they don't really want a sub and even have enough heart to give me something more. :)

Six months elapsed

Today is our 6 month anniversary! WOO-hoo!

To celebrate, we went to our students' basketball games. Rewind. It's really a 3-day celebration - teacher style...

Last night, Mr. Woo surprised me to dinner at Osha's in the city!










I'm a big fan of Thai food, and on top of that, our window seat was near perfect. (It happened to be the same table that the guys dined at as Part II of his bachelor party.) I sat with my feet up and crossed the whole time - and it was appropriate. The food was superb. We ordered a good amount; they must have thought we were food critics. Then we went back to the list of questions that we were discussing while we were dating. It was a sweet time to revisit them - although we spent most of the time on just one...

Today, we grabbed dinner with Joe H. (aka Third Wheel) before heading out to the games. They were so funny. At this Summer Slam you'll see/hear so much traveling, bouncing (with the ball), "dribble toward the basket!!!", and sounds of children having a ball (puahah, so punny). One of my girls was dominating the game. Being the supportive teacher that I am, I cheered and thew out some "THAT'S MY STUDENT!" and "EXTRA CREDIT!" from the sideline. After their 4 quarters of organized chaos, H and Mr. Woo had a 2 on 2 game with the kids. Within a few minutes they were playing again 7 full-of-energy kiddos (where do they get all the energy, even at the end of the day???) and were sweating it up. Fast food + kids screaming + sweat... ah yes, the romance is in the air.

Tomorrow we're switching it up a bit and going to the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton. There we will not only be surrounded by children but adults(!) as well. As much as I love working with children, I need my daily doses of adult interaction to keep sane and level. What I'm looking foward to tomorrow: the ferris wheel, the food, the quarter toss game, and spending time with my dear hubby. :)

HAPPY 6 AWESOME MONTHS, POOKI! (HEART)

P.S. Can somebody tell Mr. Woo to win me a stuffed animal at the fair? It's not as special if I have to ask for it. (Have you ever watched a chick flick where the gal had to ask for one? No, he just does it, and it makes her happy.)

United we stand

Many women think that you lose your freedom and give up your dreams when you're married and become one with your husband. I don't know about them, but I feel like I've gained so much more!

I have someone to:

• cook for and eat meals with,
• watch romantic-comedy movies with,
• pick up a bat and put on a face of bravery at the slightest sound of danger outside,
• share my day with (maybe I talk too much though?),
• remind me that my day being a "good" or "bad" one is based on my perspective,
• provide for the family,
• lead the family,
• etc.
  

This week was an especially triumphant week for the Woo's...
(1) Mr. Woo got into the credential program!
(2) Mr. Woo won the weekly drawing at Daphne's for an appetizer tray!

All I had to do for my "job" was put energy (food) into the machine (Mr. Woo) and it went and succeeded (by God's grace) in productivity! How cool is that for inventions??? God really is the best designer...

Sure, I cook and clean and some other things in my supporting role, but I think I get the better end of the deal. Because we are one, I share in his triumphs and he in mine. I consider raffle drawings the same. In the short time of dating/marriage thus far, he's won a DVD player (Summer School '08), Baby gift basket (School Luau '08) - my choice, Steamer* (School Christmas Dinner '08), Appetizer tray (Daphne's Weekly Business Card Drawing '09)

*Each staff member was given 2 tickets. The bag for the steamer only had 2 tickets already in it, so Mr. Woo added 1 of his - just in case. Not only did he win it, but it turns out that the other 2 tickets belonged to the same person. She had put all of her eggs in one basket and lost everything. She is part of the administrative staff but was kind enough to not "make him pay" for the highly-coveted prize.

They weren't kidding when they said that women usually marry men like their daddy. My daddy is awesome at winning raffle drawings too! Business-class plane tickets, stereo systems, and much more! Glad that Mr. Woo is following suite. If you can't beat 'em, marry 'em! :)

Birds dropping

In this episode of Mrs. Woo's class, students are working on a craft and, of course, chit-chatting with each other. 'If you can't beat 'em, join 'em' - so I do. :)

Student #1: Ohhh! You can sing like on American Idol!
Mrs. Woo: Ohhh! (Student #2) is going to be our American Idol?!
Student #1: Yeah!
Student #2: Oh no!
Student #3: Ahhhh (opera style)~ Just kidding.
Mrs. Woo: Ohhh! (Student #3) is going to sing for us?!
Student #3: No, if I sing birds in the trees will drop dead.

What kids will do for an extra star sticker...

It's Children's Day today (in the Korean culture)! In celebration, here's what my kids are like...

Student #1: Mrs. Woo, I need to go to the bathroom (hands me his teddy bear bathroom pass).
Mrs. Woo: Sure.
Student #1 returns from the bathroom.

Student #2: You don't need to give up your bear (extra star if you keep it the whole Qtr). Mrs. Woo said if your stomach hurts, you don't need to give a bathroom pass.
Student #1: Ohhh.

...A few minutes later... (as if trying to prove his point)

Student #2: Mrs. Woo, my stomach...
Mrs. Woo: No.

Off to make my integrity talk...

What a gangster do

An episode with Mrs. Woo waiting with her students for parent pick up...

Student #1: Mrs. Woo, he touched my mouth. Mrs. Woo, he slapped me in the library.
Student #2 looking smug.
Student #1: (Facing Student #2) You shouldn't slap. It's not offfff Gooood.
Student #3: Oh! That's what a gangster do!

On another note, I have twins in my class, and their birthday is today! How great is that for an April Fool's joke to their parents. :D