Stray Observations

• Last week I learned the hard way to not show un-previewed videos in my classroom. In the thirty seconds it took me to realize we were in trouble and get to the VCR my ninth graders were granted the sight of some wildebeests humping and a topless Masai woman. The room filled with their cries of indignation and faux-lost innocence and threats to tell parents/administration. As soon as I turned it off and told them to get out their books they were all mad we weren't going to forge ahead and finish the video. Everyday since then I've had at least one student ask if we were going to finish that video.

• I'm convinced that my geography students will always find the most potentially inappropriate name of a physical feature/place and that's the first one they learn/yell loudest during reviews/never get wrong on a test. This unit's name of choice: Djibouti, natch.

• I had a text conversation with my sister recently where she expressed that she wouldn't be upset about not going to prom if it wasn't the only thing people could talk/think about. I told her I felt the same way about marriage or "prom for adults".

• Speaking of prom I had a memory the other day of my own prom experience. My date was the class president and somehow I ended up being nominated prom queen (nobody was more surprised than me). The whole thing was rather silly. I remember after the nominations were announced in the morning announcements there were three popular, pretty, cheerleaders in my class seated in front of me. Overhearing their conversation I heard them list the three other nominees...And then ask "Who is the fourth girl?" Indeed. I sat and wondered if I should enlighten them and face their reaction or just let them live in their ignorance.
  

• A student came into class singing the new Lupe single. When I asked him if he liked Lupe he looked surprised and asked "You know Lupe?" I replied in the affirmative. "Did you like, go to high school with him?" Bless his heart.

• My ward had a mingle recently. The item served? Corn dogs. Best. Mingle. Ever. I didn't even talk to anybody. Just ate two corn dogs. Best. Mingle. Ever.

• Within the 24 hours of April Fool's day I learned that 4 of my friends were pregnant. Only one of them was a joke. Congrats ladies! And happy appendicitis Aaron Bullen!(?)