My Babies

I cannot believe that tomorrow is my last day with my sixth graders. WAAAAAAAH!! I don't want to go! Yesterday when they came in from music, they saw me on my computer looking at apartments in Vegas. They went ballistic. "MRS. WEBB! STOP LOOKING AT THAT!" *scramble to turn off my computer* "YOU'RE NOT REALLY LEAVING US, ARE YOU?!?" *another attempt to turn off my computer* (geez, you would think I was looking at porn or something by judging how offended they were). I told them I was just looking at apartments because I HAVE to move since I'm married and I have to follow my husband. One student replied with a whiny, "But does he even LIKE you? I mean, we LOVE you! We love you MORE than he does! Stay with us!!!"

I love those students SO much. I am going to miss them like crazy. I figure I will post a few more of their stories, though, before I leave and have no more to post. :-(

1. While I was on recess duty, a group of about five girls sprinted up to me. "MRS. WEBB! MRS. WEBB!!! WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY!" They were all out of breath from running towards me so fast and all started talking at once about what happened. I checked that I had my phone in my pocket, ready to call 911 if a student had broken a limb or was lying unconscious on the playground. I couldn't decipher what had happened from the loud amount of preteen screeching, so I put up my hands and said "GIRLS! CALM DOWN! I can't help you if I don't know what happened. Will ONE of you please tell me what is going on?" Sadie decided to step up for the group. She took a deep breath and exclaimed, "DONNA SAID THAT CAMMIE STUFFS HER BRA AND SHE DOESN'T EVEN DO THAT!!!" Cammie, the offended, jumped out from behind Sadie and chimed in with "Yeah! I don't even do that!!" Let me tell you, I had to use every acting skill I posses in order to keep a straight face. THAT was their emergency?!?! Yep, it sure was. So I did some intervention/conflict resolution techniques between Donna and Cammie, and they were all friends again by the end of recess. Oh, sixth grade.

2. My students recently wrote adventure stories. Julie's story took place in a pickle factory. Once she was finished reading, Henry raised his hand and said, "Mrs. Webb? All this talk of pickles has reminded me that I need to use mine. Can I please go to the bathroom?" Uhhh...a little inappropriate, Henry, but okay.

3. Because it was raining, the secretary came over the loudspeaker and announced that the principal has declared indoor recess for the day. This was greeted with a loud groan from the students - indoor recess is NEVER as fun. Still, it was our only option. A few minutes into recess, the students said, "Mrs. Webb! Look out the window! The sun is shining! The rain stopped! Can we go outside now?" I said no, that when the principal declares indoor recess, we have to stay inside for the whole time. They started begging. "Pleeeeeeease, Mrs. Webb? It's not even raining one drop anymore!" I said, "Sorry guys, but I really don't have the power to just overturn the inside recess call." I looked around, though...I didn't see any other teachers in the vicinity. And my classroom IS the closest one to the playground... Finally I said, "Oh fine. What are they going to do, fire me? It's my second to last day - let's go outside!" A collective cheer rang out from the group, and they all dashed outside. The best part? I didn't even get into trouble! WOOOOOT! My sixth graders and I live on the EDGE!

I can't believe that tomorrow is my last day. I am still in denial. When it finally sinks in, I fear that I will be a complete mess. WHO in their right mind loves completely crazy pubescent kids? I do. I was interviewing with a principal who has multiple positions open in Las Vegas, and when she asked me what my preference is I said middle school. She said, "Oh man, it takes a special kind of person to want to teach middle schoolers." Maybe it does...but I don't mind being "special." Bring it on, Vegas - you can give me your best, but your kids are never going to be as cool as mine were this year.