ADHD, Children Tales

Day 25: Be Brave Challenge – Teacher Life Lessons

Today was one of those awesome teaching days when your students actually seem to be learning something 😂. Mmmm….well sort of 😎

I took one of my language groups this morning. One of the little boys who frankly has a few ADHD symptoms (let’s call him Eminem) actually seemed to be focusing and getting all his vocabulary correct. 🙏I introduced ‘fidget toys’ this week, the suggestion that was made at the course last weekend, and have been mildly chuffed to notice a definite improvement in his behaviour and listening this week. Much to his delight, he was declared my Vocabulary King today😁. As is often the case someones joy is someone else misery. I notice Niles (yes from Frasier😂) who is usually pretty much on the ball with his vocabulary glaring at poor Eminem with what could only be described as a look of pure death. 💀👿 Ahhaaa a perfect teacher opportunity to inject a little life lesson.💁 So asked kids how they feel when someone does better at something than them? 
Mary: “I’m always happy for them!” (mmm the ‘ always- have-the-right-answer-kid) 
Niles: I feel really funny inside. 😧
Attempt to have a brief discussion on what “jealousy” is…. zoned out faces are staring at me. But I persist.😬(cause I am a good teacher😜)

Me: “So what do you think we could do when we feel jealous.”

Image result for boy kicking boy

Enemin: “I just kick him in the peanuts.”

Sigh. 🙄

Persist, persist, persist….life lesson needs to be taught damit….continued talking… blank stares all around (Enemin is rolling on his back ) – realization hits that maybe subjects are not quite ready for this particular life lesson. Life lesson dropped! 🤐

Random story two: Had stark awakening this week as to how quickly even the most innocent, well-intentioned joke can be hijacked by little people and turned into an exclusive cult that could just possibly take over the world. 💣🌍Yesterday had knocked at my door to see little grade R girl standing there pitifully asking if she too could be in the “tishalkazi fan club'” cause she was told it was only for grade 2 children. 😮. (Titshalakazi aka Constance) 
Today overheard little grade one girl in the passage ask her friend if she could be part of the “titshalakazi fan club?” The firm answer was: 
” No, you have to be in grade 2!! ” ( huh? who made up this RULE?)

Turned around and informed poor little blonde-haired-blue-eyed-angel-faced child that yes she could indeed be part of the fan club as long as she loved hugging titshalakazi…this was the only requirement for membership! She was beyond excited and ran into my class and threw her arms around Titshalakazi…who is forever sitting, like a lotus flower, arms open and ready for any child. Was a sweet, touching sight but had brief thought: “Good God what have I started.” 😰😱

Anyway, I actually have plans tonight….woohoo 🙌🙌 (it happens occasionally, so am highly excited like only a ‘four’ could be.) I read a quote once by Nan Kempner that said: ‘The best part of a party is getting ready’ . I couldn’t agree more🙈. Am well aware that this is a symptom of us fours sometimes preferring the fantasy to the reality! 😂 (well let me not label all ‘fours’) …but definitely this four!!! But good news she is a work in progress and she has no plan on looking like funeral chick tonight!😂

Have a super evening. 
If, for whatever you can’t go dancing, then may I suggest dancing in your room!!! (I have supplied the music below for you) 

https://youtu.be/Xz-UvQYAmbg