I've survived the Unshushables.
We were told at the beginning of the year that it was going to be a challenge. They were right.
We deemed this group "The Unshushables" because they NEVER shut up.
All of them.
They just talked.
Non-stop.
It was Frank who yelled "SUMMER!!!!" at the top of his lungs the second the flag ceremony was over. (or nearly over)
It was Sam G. who whispered to me while they lowered the flag...
"Now I can whistle as much as I want"
"Shhh, we're being quiet."
"And I can sing 'Happy Birthday' whenever I want!"
(Gentle nudge with elbow) "Sam Shhhh!"
From the other side of me Josh responds, "Did you just elbow a student?"
(Gentle nudge with other elbow)
"You just elbowed ANOTHER student!"
"Quiet, both of you! We're supposed to be respectful!"
"And now I can whistle uncontrollably!"
"SUMMER!!!!!!"
Followed by the chant, "Summer! Summer! Summer!" from the rest of the 5th grade!
This was the hardest year of teaching I've ever had. I absolutely love the kids, as long as I don't have to teach them anything.
Famous One-Liners:
Frank to Mo, "You are SO my grandma!"
Sam G as he puts a gift on my desk, "Sorry I'm such a pain."
Frank, when I told him he had an upcoming test, "Oh no you didn't"
TJ, before spelling the word in the Spelling Bee, "Come on Mr. Bubbles, give me some magic."
Responses to my question, "Does anyone have any other questions?", meaning, I just taught something, do you get it? Curriculum based questions?
"Does anyone have any other questions?"
"It's my birthday in 13 days!"
"Does anyone have any other questions?"
"Would you help me break Mr. Bubbles out of jail?" (This is a toy that was taken away and was in another teachers desk)
"Does anyone have any other questions?"
"What percentage of the earths surface is North America?"
"Does anyone have any other questions?"
"It's my birthday in 8 days!"
"Does anyone have any other questions?"
"Do you think I should get a pet monkey?"
"Does anyone have any other questions?"
"How do you..." ... "Sam is this related to Math?" ...
"Yes... how do you feel about triangles?"
"Does anyone have any other questions?"
"It's my birthday in 3 days!"
"Does anyone have any other questions?"
"I really like dolphins."
"Does anyone have any other questions?"
"Could you spell that spelling word for me?"
"Does anyone have any other questions?"
"You know, we're practically related."
"Does anyone have any other questions?"
"It's my birthday!!"
"Does anyone have any other questions?"
"I can whistle Twinkle Little Star with my mouth closed!"
Oh how I'll miss you.
In fact I dreamt last night about being in school with all of my students and trying to identify which ones were aliens.
Hooray for summer!