Margeaux on the Go

Funny things my students say.

Almost everyday, it’s a treat to hear such brilliant tibdits that come out of my students’ mouths.  They don’t mean to be funny, which makes them so hilarious.  I need to chronicle them since this school year seems to be already filled with them.

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SETTING:  My former students like to visit me during recess.  They often line up at my door waiting for the class to empty of my current students.  Two students cross paths and tension flares.

Former girl student (from the door as students are exiting):  Hi Ms. M!

Current boy student (as he exits) to girl:  Get out of here!   She’s not your teacher anymore.  She’s ours.

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SETTING:  I needed to give Danny a thank you card for the generous holiday gift they gave me.  He’s playing on the black top.  I beckon him to come over.

Me (yelling across the black top):  Danny, could you come here please?

Danny (not my core student) to me:  OK!

Danny to yard duty person:  I’ll be back.  My teacher is calling me.

AJ (my core student) overhears Danny.

AJ (yelling) at Danny:  She’s NOT your teacher!

**My boy students are rather protective of me.  It’s kinda sweet.

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Student:  Ms. M?  Have you ever put a “kick me” sign on someone’s back before?

Me:  Oh yes, I did it to you just yesterday.

Student:  Ohh, so that’s why my back hurts. *rubs his back in pain*

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Student:   Ms. M?  Why is there so much space in the classroom now?  It was so crowded yesterday.

Me:  Well, I took my wand and expanded the room.  Shh… it’s magic.

Student:  Ooooh, that’s Harry Potter stuff, Ms. M.  *turns and walks away to tell a friend.  They both seem facinated.*

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Student:  This is not my umbrella.  It’s my brother’s.  *carrying a relatively small Spider Man umbrella*

Me:  But, you don’t have a brother.

Student:  How did you know that, Ms. M.?

Me:  It’s my job to know these things.

*Boy runs over to friend, but I overhear…*

Student to another:  Ms. M can read minds.  It’s weird!

Other Student:  I know.  She’s done it to me too.  *goes back to work*

Life changes…

You make time for things/people that are important to you.  Like, if I think reading a certain book is important, I’m sure as hell going to get the book and read it.  If I think watching a musical is important, I’m going to go far and beyond to make it happen.  This rings true for everything that is important to you.  You just make it work and if it doesn’t come to fruition after many times over, then it just wasn’t meant to happen.

Musicals I’ve Watched: Loved and Not-So-Loved

Loved (scaled 1 being my most favorite)

1. Next to Normal
2. RENT (4x)
3. American Idiot
4. Spring Awakening (2x)
5. Wicked (2x)
6. Miss Saigon (2x)
7. HAIR
8. Rock of Ages

Not-So-Loved (scaled 1 being my least favorite)

1. Phantom of the Opera
2. CATS
3. Les Mis
4. Mama Mia
5. Lion King
6. Grease
7. Altar Boyz

Harry Potter

It’s been three weeks since I finished the whole Harry Potter series.  As a whole, it took me a leisurely four months to finish all seven books.  Starting Sorcerer’s Stone at the end of April, I promised myself that I would finish all of them by the end of summer break.  Promise fulfilled. As crazy as it sounds (probably especially to those who have never read it), reading Harry Potter just utterly changed my life.

Professionally, as a teacher, I feel I’m a better “read alouder”.  It gave me a chance to practice my fluency and expressive reading.  I would read some parts aloud to myself and I would listen and study how Jim Dale (the audiobook reader) would utter the words.  As I read, I listened to the words in my head, “envisioning” how I might read it to a listener.

But, personally, it gave me a chance at deep introspection.  It made me think of how much the Harry Potter magical world/muggle world is so parallel to the world right now.  The atrocities and the deeply embedded issues, figuratively and literally, are prevalent in the world today.  Genocide, racism, sexism, fascism… almost any “ism” you can think of appears as both undertones and overarching themes in these books.

Most importantly, it made me think of friendships and unity.  Firstly, it made me think about how good literature can bring people together.  It weaves a common thread amongst those who read the book.  Readers empathize with the characters… readers empathize with other readers.  It really is a beautiful thing.  It’s amazing to have grown a love for these characters and to know that other readers have grown the same love for them too.  It is uniting and glorious.  Secondly, it made me think of my own friends.  How relationships just naturally evolve—and, I don’t want to punctuate this phrase with a “for better or for worse”.  I feel deemed more appropriate is relationships naturally evolve into truth.

Thank you Ms. JK Rowling.  You’re brilliant.  You’re genius.  You’re my literary hero as you are to so many others around the world for all time.

I think I’m…

ready.

In order from most favorite to least favorite: Harry Potter

BOOKS

1. Deathly Hallows
2. Order of the Phoenix
3. Half-Blood Prince
4. Prisoner of Azkaban
5. Goblet of Fire
6. Sorcerer’s Stone
7. Chamber of Secrets

FILMS

1. Order of the Phoenix
2. Half-Blood Prince
3. Prisoner of Azkaban (I liked HBP a tad bit more.)
4. Goblet of Fire
5. Sorcerer’s Stone
6. Chamber of Secrets

(I wonder where Deathly Hallows I and II will fall?)