"1.) Ask Miss Anonymous For Help"

Today in Science, I met Shoelace for the first time.  He's a pretty large, tough looking hispanic kid with a mohawk who, when I first introduced myself to him, I felt a little bit intimidated by.  Needless to say, that didn't last very long.  The assignment was to write, in detail, how one ties his or her shoe.

As soon as the students began their assignment, Shoelace already had his hand raised.  When I went over he asked, with a huge grin on his face, "Miss, are you in the class to help me?  Because I'm retarded."  After reassuring him that he was not retarded and that I wasn't there for just him, but for all of the students because many ninth graders struggle with Science, he replied, "Nahh... I'm retarded.  Can you help me?  I don't know how to write this, my Mom always ties my shoes."  Now you have to understand, if this was a child who had very significant disabilities, I would not laugh at all.  But when this big tough hispanic kid, who is obviously well liked by all of his peers said this, I couldn't help but start laughing.  Luckily, he wasn't offended and admitted that he knew how to tie his shoes, but that his Mom always said that he tied them too loose, so she's been tying them for him.  So I told him to get started and to try his best, and I'd be back in a little while to check on him.

About 5 minutes later, after making my rounds around the classroom, I made it back to Shoelace.  He had one step written down, "1.) Ask Miss Anonymous for help."

New Teacher Tip Of The Day:  Remember each of the funny little things that happen to you throughout the day.  Those little moments are what make what we do totally worth it.