tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87885194181316288472024-02-07T17:26:05.124-05:00Ask Aunt Jenthe guide to enjoying life in middle schoolAunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-57292834306501227222009-01-11T21:45:00.002-05:002009-01-11T21:52:00.787-05:00join inAbout half of the school year has gone by. Have you joined any clubs or sports or activities? It's a good time to try something new. You know, new year, new club, new sport... Did you make a resolution to make more friends? Check if your school's having a play and try out for a part or help with the stage crew plus they'll need scene builders and artists. Are there winter or spring intramurals you could try? What about chorus? Are you killer at rock band? Maybe you can learn to play an actual instrument with actual music. That would be cool. Look around and see if there's anything to try. Maybe you could start an anime club or a fashion club. New year, new club, new friends.Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-49598877862048147392009-01-08T18:53:00.004-05:002009-01-08T19:54:45.337-05:00tell on yourself<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4m3nSzYPRCtCRJVTetrQiiDKMyINjw5uPEuxXPfDEjbp7bhjBlYTt6lmdlox5pKxsFcY_q2G4O5Endii2jVrG38tb-j1jGE0-jcgqOMm0c4JiSzSQq7OjqJj3YAfePCq11BWBM5iJW2ai/s1600-h/laptop"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289090754806089858" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4m3nSzYPRCtCRJVTetrQiiDKMyINjw5uPEuxXPfDEjbp7bhjBlYTt6lmdlox5pKxsFcY_q2G4O5Endii2jVrG38tb-j1jGE0-jcgqOMm0c4JiSzSQq7OjqJj3YAfePCq11BWBM5iJW2ai/s320/laptop" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Possible crisis: </div><br /><div>you're using a laptop at school. <span style="color:#c0c0c0;">that's not the problem.</span></div><br /><div>you're typing a project on the laptop. <span style="color:#999999;">that's not the problem.</span></div><br /><div>you lean over to help your neighbor with spelling. <span style="color:#c0c0c0;">not the problem.</span> (although sometimes you can get in trouble for that)</div><br /><div>while you were leaning over a key popped off the laptop. <span style="color:#c0c0c0;">could be a problem.</span></div><br /><div>you toss the loose key on the floor. <span style="color:#ffcc66;">ooooh bad idea.</span></div><br /><div>you try to conceal the key behind the table leg on the floor. <span style="color:#ff9900;">ok.</span></div><br /><div>you log off the laptop and put it away. <span style="color:#ff0000;">um</span></div><br /><div>you head out to your next class. <span style="color:#ff6666;">the guilt isn't too bad.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">attention... here comes the problem.</span> </div><br /><div>the next kid wants to use the laptop you had but it's missing a key. that kid tells the <span style="color:#3366ff;">teacher</span>. the teacher investigates and discovers YOU had the laptop last period. </div><br /><div>teacher calls you from Spanish class to come to the library where the laptop sits without a key. you walk really slowly thinking about your lie.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">The best course of action here is to <span style="color:#3333ff;">tell on yourself</span>.</span> I'm not kidding. The teacher is only going to get angrier the more you lie. You're caught. Take your punishment quietly. Say you're sorry for breaking the key. Say you should have told on yourself right away. Say you're sorry for trying to hide the broken piece. Say that you just got really worried and kind of panicked. Look sorry. a tiny tear in the corner of your eye would be good.</div><br /><div>If you decide not to tell on yourself but go with the lies then the problem will just grow and the punishment will grow, too. Your principal will be notified that you damaged expensive school property. Your parents will be notified that they have a large computer repair bill. You may lose computer privileges at school. This can get way bigger that you want it to.</div><br /><div>People mess up. We learn to take the consequences and don't mess up that way again. usually.</div><br /><div></div>Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-59744680548210048902009-01-07T16:42:00.003-05:002009-01-07T17:32:40.767-05:00purple pants?Can you picture a really tall 8th grade boy who came to school wearing <span style="color:#6600cc;">bright purple</span> skinny jeans? He's also wearing a black and white belt, bright yellow t-shirt with green swirls and his shoes match the shirt... Is this a fashion forward guy setting trends or an unfortunate fashion failure who should return that outfit to the store? <br />Picture a girl who is wearing a brand new sweater dress that's cute but too small for her body so she looks kind of lumpy even though she's not? <br />This time of year is like a fashion show at school. We get to see all kinds new and unique outfits - some cool, some scary, some hilarious. Lots of kids (and teachers) get clothes for Christmas and other holidays then can't wait to wear the new stuff to school. Look around this week. See if you agree with the fashion risks some kids are willing to take. Maybe you're trying out some new fashion looks, too. Have fun with your clothes and be nice to that kid in the purple pants by <span style="color:#6600cc;">not</span> singing <span style="color:#6600cc;">Barney</span> the dinosaur songs. Who knows, the purple thing might catch on and we'll all be wearing them next year!Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-49706983495294600532009-01-05T17:47:00.003-05:002009-01-05T18:21:07.419-05:00bad words<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKv6msRq5N6IPH30OUhlurcVrk_XtHG4w9IXeG3Br5NXO8HPruVBp5JpKFNiU20j-TQUd1DQSizBloXg9aQGokZWVfgRFbhiqfM8Rsi46jcosumvMnmaZ3mXEwEEJgS5GYgHdXg3W6hyDK/s1600-h/curse+words.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287951649293271186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 139px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKv6msRq5N6IPH30OUhlurcVrk_XtHG4w9IXeG3Br5NXO8HPruVBp5JpKFNiU20j-TQUd1DQSizBloXg9aQGokZWVfgRFbhiqfM8Rsi46jcosumvMnmaZ3mXEwEEJgS5GYgHdXg3W6hyDK/s200/curse+words.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Did you ever hear a teacher drop a bad word on a class or a kid? Was it an accident or on purpose? Is the teacher angry a lot or does he just have a problem with potty mouth?<br />See if you can tell the difference.<br />examples:<br />a. Hey everyone, clean up your sh.... I mean clean up your papers because this class period is almost over.<br />b, Hey everyone, clean up your sh.... sheets of paper because this class period is almost over.<br />c. Hey everyone, clean up your shit and get out of my room right now!<br />d. Hey (insert name of naughty kid), take your shit and get out of my room right now!<br /><br />let's discuss.<br />a. I think this was an accident. Teacher might have a slightly red face and really doesn't mean to curse at the class.<br />b. I think this was also a slip of the tongue but the teacher smoothly covered it up with another SH word. Clever.<br />c. This looks like an angry moment. Teachers can sometimes be pushed over the politeness and patience edge. Can't get in trouble for this one. Not the best choice of words though.<br />d. A teacher has lost professional control here. Cursing directly at one student is not acceptable behavior for teachers. They are human and do occasionally make mistakes. They don't take guns to clubs and shoot themselves in the leg and have to miss the rest of the school year!<br />So what should you do if your teacher drops a bad word? It's up to you. If it happens often (and it <span style="color:#33ff33;">should</span> <span style="color:#33ff33;">not</span>) you can talk to your parents about it. You could also talk to a guidance counselor or another teacher you trust and tell them that the cursing is starting to bother you. It's ok to talk about it. The teacher might not realize that the bad words are getting out of control. You deserve to have happy school days, not stressful ones.Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-49315328965861947162008-11-21T15:10:00.003-05:002008-11-21T17:53:10.871-05:00holiday partiesAre you looking forward to spending quality time away from school? Are you ready for some parties? Will your family parties be fun or dull? Are your friends having any parties you can look forward to? It's time to think about how to handle yourself at these parties. With a little preparation, you'll be able to survive <span style="color:#ff6600;"><em>nosey</em></span> questions from Aunt Lisa and Uncle Dave's same old jokes. What will you do when you're not eating turkey or pie? Are you interesting? Do you have any funny stories to tell? Will you be forced to play with the little kids? What if you're the littlest kid in the house and they still treat you like you're 8?<br />Calm down. I don't want to put you into panic mode. Let's start with family parties. You probably know everyone at the party so you don't have to worry about impressing new people. What will you talk about? It's ok to plan ahead and think of a funny story to tell when someone asks you what's going on at school. Maybe you're trying out for a winter sport or the spring musical. You could talk about tryouts and what kind of stuff you had to do. think of details that make your stories interesting to adults. Tell about difficult drills or funny things the coach does if a kid does something wrong. Try asking questions, too. You don't always have to be the one answering stuff. Ask your Uncle if he played any school sports? Did they have cuts? Did they have to wear those crazy short-shorts with tall socks? Did they do any of the same drills that you're learning now? <br />If you're not into sports then maybe you have another fun activity you like to do. Can you bring along your bead box or favorite scrap book? Show your family something about yourself and dont' forget to ask about their interests, too. did they vote for the President? Did they feel happy or sad about the winners? Why, exactly do they have that opinion and do you agree?<br /><br />One thing I don't want you to do at the parties is.... <span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">text</span>. Be at the party. Be fun and talk to the people at the party. Do not sit in the corner and text. It's boring. It makes you look like you don't like anyone at the party. Ok, maybe you don't like anyone at the party. fake it. stay off your phone and get to know the people around you. <br />Have some more pie!Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-84122211109664619462008-11-20T17:11:00.004-05:002008-11-20T18:11:28.670-05:00they hate it<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMWjCDlLXBlrksmxfo08CxHawGEXKpfvqoGtKCnd2dtDm1aRiEbaPRzRUwZV9xvoBLRBmWWIvzSxM0E55uOzQKY_XTK6T84f1B8y8ELgaYVXqW51N27_xuvtAKu53C_-WCzEHW0uBvc5I/s1600-h/record+player"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270881265620369122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMWjCDlLXBlrksmxfo08CxHawGEXKpfvqoGtKCnd2dtDm1aRiEbaPRzRUwZV9xvoBLRBmWWIvzSxM0E55uOzQKY_XTK6T84f1B8y8ELgaYVXqW51N27_xuvtAKu53C_-WCzEHW0uBvc5I/s200/record+player" border="0" /></a><br /><div>You're just hangin out listening to some music. Music you like. You feel great.<br /><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Parent</span>: turn that down. It's too loud.<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">You</span>: I'm just listening to music.<br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Parent</span>: I shouldn't be able to hear it through your headphones. Now turn it down.<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">You</span>: OK. FINE. Now I can't even listen to good music!<br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Parent</span>: That's not good music. It's just crap with kids screaming.<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">You</span>: This is the best music ever. It's a lot better than your stupid music from ancient times!<br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Parent</span>: What? My music is still great today. You have no idea what good music is.<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">You</span>: Right, on the OLDIES stations. Do you even know any of the artists I like?<br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Parent</span>: um, Carrie Underwood?<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">You</span>: NO<br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Parent</span>: ok, Aerosmith?<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">You</span>: eeeewwwwwhhhh. No.<br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Parent</span>: ok, then who do you think is so great?<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">You</span>: (it doesn't matter what you say here unless your parent watches MTV with you, she will probably not know your music at all and thus, HATES it.)<br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Parent</span>: well, what's the song about?<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">You</span>: falling in love.<br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Parent</span>: Why are you listening to that? You're too young to date and fall in love anyway.<br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">You</span>: You can't be serious!<br /><br />This conversation has been taking place for a long, long time. Parents hate their kids' music. It's kind of a rule of nature. Parents hated Elvis when teenagers thought he was awesome. His dancing was way too sexual. Parents hated Chubby Checker because his music was too sexually suggestive. Parents despised the Beatles with their LONG HAIR and crazy romantic songs. They hated AC/DC, Kiss, Rolling Stones, Jackson 5, Rap. When RUN DMC started rapping parents thought it was ridiculous talking that was so stupid it would be gone in 5 minutes. They were so wrong. I could go on naming new kinds of music and parents who hated it. Yes, they hated it all.<br />It's just how things are in this world. Next time your parents start getting mad about your music, try turning the conversation around. Ask what your dad listened to when he was a teenager? Did his dad like it? What about your grandpa? Ask him what he listened to and if HIS dad liked it? Listen to what you like and if it's too loud, just turn it down for a while but keep listening. Remember this conversation when you're the parent! Rock on!</div>Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-977076562323800232008-11-14T16:26:00.003-05:002008-11-14T16:52:03.642-05:00not at the tableThe cell phone, while it is a very important part of our lives, does not belong at the table. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. I know it's a wild idea! Let me explain. When people are using the phone during meals, it makes me feel like whatever I might want to talk about is not important. If you're having lunch with <span style="color:#009900;">ME</span>, please talk to <span style="color:#009900;">ME</span>. Your other friends who are on the phone can wait. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ok</span>, you just give them a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">BRB</span> message then get back to them a little later. Please try to let your phone have a rest during meals. I'm serious and it's just bad manners if you don't. Talk to the people you're sitting with. Ask a question about something. have a conversation with your family. Smile. Laugh. Have a nice, relaxing meal and eat your broccoli, too!Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-63189583246150197442008-11-13T19:15:00.002-05:002008-11-13T19:35:45.600-05:00no, not the phoneWhat's the first thing that gets taken away when you're grounded? If it's your cell phone, join the club. lots of parents cut off the phone as soon as your report card has one tiny D. How can you be expected to communicate with anyone without a cell phone? Who lives in this world without <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">texting</span>? What did kids do 5 years ago? Talk in person? Talk on the home phone where people could actually hear what's being said? that's just <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ridiculous</span>! Why do parents go right for the phone? It's really not fair.<br />Here's how adults look at this problem...<br />1. They expect you to get good grades and it seems like you spend more time on your phone than studying or doing any kind of school work.<br />2. That phone cost a lot to buy and a lot more every month for service.<br />3. They look at it as a privilege for you to use a phone of your own. Keep in mind that when they were teenagers, there was probably one phone in the house and it was in the kitchen on a really long cord. that's right, not even wireless. So, any time the family wanted to use the phone, anyone in the house could listen to what was going on. they had no privacy.<br />4. Adults worry about teens having too much privacy because there could be stuff going on in your life that they know nothing about. They don't like that feeling. Adults who love you want to know who you're talking to and what you're talking about.<br />My advice is to take your punishment. You don't have to like it. Also, spend some time doing school work at home where your parents can see you working. Knowing that you're trying to do better will give them the idea that you care about your education. After you do some work, ask about their technology back in the day. They didn't even have VCRs when they were little. Crazy, I know.Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-36538205291902061472008-11-12T08:59:00.002-05:002008-11-12T09:11:49.957-05:00rowdy boysOk girls, let's talk about boys! Did you notice that middle school boys are always shoving each other? into lockers, into walls, down steps, up steps, in the cafeteria? Why are they so rough? What's the point of trying to hurt other kids? Boys are trying to get your attention! They think girls will be impressed with big strong guys who are tougher than other guys. Sometimes they run wildly through crowds of people. They shove and trip other guys so you will notice them and their big muscles. LOL. Lots of middle school guys are still pretty small. They haven't hit that exciting time of puberty. Just wait. Soon those tiny little boys who want you to be impressed because they can shove people will be actual big, strong guys with actual muscles. You'll want to hug them. Until then, and I'm talking about 9th and 10th grade, just watch and laugh. That's all they need. Those poor little guys are not ready for serious releationships. Soon, girls. Give them a couple years. Have fun watching them grow.Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-6688056709624507342008-11-11T17:30:00.004-05:002008-11-11T18:38:59.799-05:00screaming girls<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu4rZMfstne4nEMFaK8qUiPRs3lYuDn2hD7vPrriF7x-bx0hW1NHOuTxPpVDmaIPab6TRFvKlahNPzKDV1EivOZwHSjQL2BPqKfq7VQo3YnO00bHEstC7G7oufHVHkPz2_ybAvw34PrQ3/s1600-h/screaming+girls.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267543736948157218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 1px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 1px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu4rZMfstne4nEMFaK8qUiPRs3lYuDn2hD7vPrriF7x-bx0hW1NHOuTxPpVDmaIPab6TRFvKlahNPzKDV1EivOZwHSjQL2BPqKfq7VQo3YnO00bHEstC7G7oufHVHkPz2_ybAvw34PrQ3/s200/screaming+girls.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>hey boys, do you know why so many middle school girls are screaming? at the bus stops, in the halls, at their lockers, at stores, at parks? Do you know? It's to get your attention. They scream so boys will notice them. The more they scream stuff, and who knows what they're saying it doesn't really matter, the more they like you. So what should you do? Look around. Listen. See if you might like any of those screaming cuties. You might start by saying HI. She might want to study together. Or text you. She might want to be your myspace friend. Get to know some stuff about her. The nicer you are, the more she will stop screaming to get your attention. Have fun and be friendly.</div>Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-9755056412948630362008-11-06T21:42:00.005-05:002008-11-06T22:15:03.188-05:00stop making stuff up<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRSJX90ue-ci_ZHaentLryHUWQoxJLFMQZm6rmsE6_p-Wvd3e3rUdmsNjPa5mc4k9ok88GQq53GUnzqU1g46N616Gc4puFm4WkX2PeiL9SMguaZ2qHCDWZeUaEhO5Pf6bTpwyfF0oPNBT/s1600-h/broken+pencil.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265748781005883474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRSJX90ue-ci_ZHaentLryHUWQoxJLFMQZm6rmsE6_p-Wvd3e3rUdmsNjPa5mc4k9ok88GQq53GUnzqU1g46N616Gc4puFm4WkX2PeiL9SMguaZ2qHCDWZeUaEhO5Pf6bTpwyfF0oPNBT/s200/broken+pencil.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Really. don't live in imaginaryville. That's when you do something that you probably shouldn't have done. You get caught. You claim you didn't do anything. Let's picture this scene, played hundreds of times in middle schools around the country...<br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">teacher</span>: ok class, take out your book and turn to page 95.<br /><span style="color:#000099;">you</span>: take brand new yellow pencil and karate chop it into bits.<br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">teacher</span>: what was that?<br /><span style="color:#000099;">you</span>: nothing.<br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">teacher</span>: I see broken pencil bits all over your desk and the floor.<br /><span style="color:#000099;">you</span>: I didnt do it. that was here before.<br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">teacher</span>: Are you kidding me? I just heard the pencil get karate chopped. It was your hand chopping. Look, there are bits on your leg.<br /><span style="color:#000099;">you</span>: no, they must have fallen off the desk because I didn't do anything.<br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">teacher</span>: Stop acting like you didn't break that brand new pencil because you did it!!<br /><span style="color:#000099;">you</span>: what pencil?<br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">other kids</span>: ha ha ha ha<br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">teacher</span>: GGGRRRR I'm getting really upset with your behavior. clean up that mess and turn to page 95 right now.<br /><span style="color:#000099;">you</span>: I don't want to get splinters.<br />This scene can go on and on for a long time.<br />I call it living in imaginaryville. You know that you chopped the pencil. Everyone in the room knows you chopped the pencil. It takes a lot of patience for a teacher to listen to your LIES without wanting to put you in a sleeper hold so you stop talking and interrupting the lesson on page 95. Part of growing up is telling the truth about stupid stuff you did. Accept the consequences. Clean up the pencil bits. Turn to the page in your book and stop torturing the teacher.</div>Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-53825562843463240652008-11-03T19:58:00.005-05:002008-11-03T21:22:32.395-05:00Monday morning issuesYou know, teachers are only human. They can help you with a lot of stuff but they can't do everything. Picture this scene...<br />Let's say you went out on Halloween night. You and your friends were having fun. It was nice weather. Everyone was outside and happy and eating candy. Then some rowdy kids came around. They started throwing candy. at you. at your friends. somehow hard things, maybe rocks, got mixed in with the candy. It hit you and it hurt. You yell something at the mean kids then you and your friends go somewhere else. Mean kids left. You came back out to have fun.<br />ff to Monday morning. School. Those mean kids go to your school. One of them is in your science class. Mean kid is such a jerk and brings up hitting you and your friends with soft candy corn. Mean kid says you acted like a baby because candy can't hurt anyone. You are big and smart so you ignore the mean kid. but meany won't let it go. Meany keeps saying stuff about Friday night. Finally you want to punch that kid. You don't of course, but you DO start to YELL at meany to SHUT UP and GET AWAY FROM ME! Now, Mr. Science teacher hears this commotion while you're supposed to be learning about cell structure but there is clearly something else going on. <br /><br />Let's consider that scene from the teacher's point of view: mean kid won't give up on saying stupid stuff. You're getting madder by the moment and louder, too. Teacher is just trying to help you learn but now he has to hear all about the candy corn and the rocks and the stupid stuff that mean kid said and did. Keep in mind this is all during science class. on Monday. He's not in the mood for drama. He wants you to learn the science lesson. You and meany have made a big scene and now he has to deal with a problem that has nothing to do with school or him or science.Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-69537003110019788792008-10-27T22:51:00.003-04:002008-10-28T17:43:16.468-04:00want some gum?gum. scene 1:<br />boy chewing gum in school. (You should know that this school does not allow gum.)<br />girl asks boy for a piece of gum.<br />boy says sure. gets out a square of gum.<br />girl holds out her hand.<br />boy presses gum against girl's chest. lets go. attempts to watch gum slide down her shirt.<br />girl catches gum before it goes down too far.<br />girl's face is red. <br /><br />gum. scene 2.<br />teacher witnessed scene 1. <br />teacher tells boy that putting gum against girl's chest is not appropriate school behavior.<br />boy says, "what? I was just giving her a piece of gum."<br />teacher says, "ok, can I have a piece? You'll put it in my hand, right? Not against my chest?"<br />boy says, "yeah." looks down. feels sorry that he was caught acting rude.<br />girl dashes off to class, glad that the boy knows what he did was wrong.<br /><br />gum. scene 3.<br />boy begs teacher not to call his home to discuss his behavior.<br />boy says he's doing really well this year and he promises to treat girls nicely.<br /><br />wrap up:<br />boys, girls do not want you to touch their chest during school. ever. don't snap their bras. don't touch their butts either.<br />girls, you don't have to accept that kind of treatment. let boys know that you won't put up with them trying to look down your shirt or touch you in ways they shouldn't.Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-84116912425297870142008-10-08T17:32:00.004-04:002008-10-09T21:46:17.291-04:00principals are for???<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWL608aROEsYApmE5L1OohsxtAmGzOUCfCVJZWlB-x1LvApMEnAiS92V-tCgy7yWxFIbBEwQP607Aa7i4hE9rEFTUKqsG_4C5MoHqYuuoCwIqv4Qv0OcDG8Nk0NLDZHKFocEJyG7KxOM1/s1600-h/principal+sign.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWL608aROEsYApmE5L1OohsxtAmGzOUCfCVJZWlB-x1LvApMEnAiS92V-tCgy7yWxFIbBEwQP607Aa7i4hE9rEFTUKqsG_4C5MoHqYuuoCwIqv4Qv0OcDG8Nk0NLDZHKFocEJyG7KxOM1/s200/principal+sign.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255335527285532866" /></a><br />Are you wondering what Principals do all day? They have big offices. They have secretaries. They can be found wandering all around the school. They come in early. They stay at school later than most people. Yeah, so why, you ask?<br />Think of the principal as the school manager. They are in charge of the building. Principals interview new teachers who want a job in your school. The principal makes decisions about the school schedule, lunch times, number of kids in your class and even which teachers you will have for science, math, reading and other subjects. Principals also handle lots of problems. They spend hours on the phone with parents, deal with discipline of kids, transportation issues, health emergencies and fire drills. The principal is also the boss of all the teachers. She's in charge of making sure the teachers are doing their best and following school rules and getting to work on time and filling in proper paperwork. Principals also make decisions about how the school spends it's money. They order text books, paper, computers, crayons, pencils, library books and basketballs. Think of all the supplies and furniture like chairs and desks. Principals had to choose all that stuff. Assemblies, activities, clubs, sports, and even dances have to be approved by the principal. <br />How can one person do all that work? Each principal has at least 2 college degrees and special training to learn how to be the leader of a school. They attend lots of meetings with other principals and school leaders to plan the best education for you. It's a big job!Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-79313819123432791962008-10-06T19:09:00.003-04:002008-10-06T20:44:10.516-04:00what are teachers doing all day?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lpeK_6HjQ9RLIeDnwy1GxL-GTVy3torMj42pZmovp7q4Bq4w_lT5fGdXGtTr41M3NPL1wG701T_mjtm-HCH6dEeCgwizolV2daXzF_GwsIdcbT4qs3nCV6QacEo28kP0swVrwuzSnWX7/s1600-h/inservice.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lpeK_6HjQ9RLIeDnwy1GxL-GTVy3torMj42pZmovp7q4Bq4w_lT5fGdXGtTr41M3NPL1wG701T_mjtm-HCH6dEeCgwizolV2daXzF_GwsIdcbT4qs3nCV6QacEo28kP0swVrwuzSnWX7/s200/inservice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254189380063528882" /></a><br />You know how schools have teacher in-service days? Kids stay home. Teachers work. What are they doing all day without any students? Who are they teaching? We know the kids try to sleep in, text, play, eat, hang out. Teachers are learning to be better teachers. I'm not kidding. They have meetings about how to motivate the kids who don't like school. They learn how to create better lessons. They have guest speakers from other states who teach them the best stuff that works with their kids. They listen to powerpoint presentations and take notes. They work on stuff in small groups. Sometimes teachers learn about better ways to communicate with your parents about things that happen at school. They talk about books. They are always learning and trying to do better. for YOU. Teachers also get to each lunch together without grading papers. They might even go out to a restaurant! and laugh together. on a school day. wow. That's what happens when you're not at school but the teachers are working.Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-59589840191097245682008-10-05T22:36:00.003-04:002008-10-06T18:54:15.757-04:00why homecoming?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6FFbP4wcO9JPSzL2KcQjL5eYh3TbsBaL2RpiwrkbCoh7-hT7pbcrVg8dpW2GliACzRB3n1uNSvniEQqVTlfhWIHV-k1lNwVcawkbk9rMzgu-YlPzHPL45c5m5k2gBWJPl-qtWQVWZpP5/s1600-h/homecoming.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6FFbP4wcO9JPSzL2KcQjL5eYh3TbsBaL2RpiwrkbCoh7-hT7pbcrVg8dpW2GliACzRB3n1uNSvniEQqVTlfhWIHV-k1lNwVcawkbk9rMzgu-YlPzHPL45c5m5k2gBWJPl-qtWQVWZpP5/s200/homecoming.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254177848030992194" /></a><br />What's homecoming all about, you ask? Well let's break down the word... in reverse order. coming home. That's the point. Your school is welcoming the old people who have already graduated to come home. visit. see old friends, like the 1978 state soccer champions. The graduates could be out of school just one year or lots and lots of years. The idea is to see friends, check out what's new at the school, maybe even see some old teachers. Some schools have a festival and parade and even crown a king and queen. Kids in school make posters to advertise the candidates for king and queen then vote for the winners, who are announced during a sporting event. it's usually football but there's no law about that. Each school makes it's own traditions. Think of it as a big school reunion. You should go. Eat. Smile. Bring confetti. Laugh with your friends. Watch the oldsters laugh, too. Then come back to your home after you graduate. Be an oldster. Watch the kids play. Remember the fun you had back in the day.Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-13891633306854393072008-10-02T16:07:00.004-04:002008-10-02T16:56:04.264-04:00clips and polish<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9yZ4dCSpyblZfMj_I8GmVMWpoqAgJVSpvtR0dXyx2a4oNWwF8d-tVFdflWkyhC-8f2lH4EaE3gUWipjO-DxRG6EV-z6BYc0udaDALoLBv8jJ2S97-LTOuA7Ble0dW-QB4fAYSlUW1Srd/s1600-h/tokio-hotel.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9yZ4dCSpyblZfMj_I8GmVMWpoqAgJVSpvtR0dXyx2a4oNWwF8d-tVFdflWkyhC-8f2lH4EaE3gUWipjO-DxRG6EV-z6BYc0udaDALoLBv8jJ2S97-LTOuA7Ble0dW-QB4fAYSlUW1Srd/s200/tokio-hotel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252661870069887954" /></a><br />Check the guys from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokio_Hotel">tokio hotel</a>. see nail polish? unusual hair? <br />Middle school students like to experiment. On themselves. <br />Office supplies as jewelry. Nail polish on boys. New hair colors. Black lip gloss. New kinds of outfits. <br />I say go for it. There are not a lot of adults who can go to work wearing paper clip earrings. Not many business men can wear purple nail polish to their meetings. American workers are not encouraged to have orange blue and green stripes in their hair. Generally shades of red and pink lip gloss are accepted, but only on the ladies.<br />Middle school is about the only time in our lives when we can test these things. It's all part of deciding who you are and who you want to become. Kids will let you know if your experiment is a success or a failure. Your teachers may have some input there, too. Yeah and parents might not like all the experiments either. trying on different clothes and accessories helps you decide what you actually like. It might be different from what everyone else likes right now. Each school has limits about exposed skin and "disruptive clothing that interferes with the learning process" but it's perfectly natural to want to try out other looks for yourself. If you can't dress the way you want to at school, then wait for nights and weekends. I don't want you to get suspended for disobeying the rules. Also, next time you see a kid wearing something unusual and interesting, let it go. He's just expressing his inner scientist or rock star or dancer.Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-88208287371677631452008-10-01T22:47:00.005-04:002008-10-01T23:25:31.107-04:00pop quiz todayIt's October. There's a pop quiz today. It's about school and you can grade yourself. I hope you're feeling comfortable in your classes and around the school. <br />How can you tell? Try this false / true quiz!<br />1. I know my schedule without checking it very much. F or T<br />2. Teachers smile at me and know my name. F or T<br />3. My lunch table is fun. I usually like going to lunch. F or T<br />4. I have not missed any homework assignments. Well, maybe one. F or T<br />5. I could show a new student how to get to the nurse or library. F or T<br />6. My locker is pretty clean and I can find stuff in there. F or T<br />7. School starts early but I'm getting there on time every day. F or T<br />8. There are nice kids in the hallways. F or T<br /><br />Add up your results. False____ True ____<br /><br />0-2 false. You're off to a very good start. You have adjusted well to life in middle school. Keep making new friends. Invite a quiet kid to join your lunch table.<br />3-5 false. You're doing pretty well but there is some room for improvement. Are you looking at the floor or daydreaming? Sit up straight in class. Pick one thing that was false and see if you can change it to true this month. Is there a club or activity you could join to make some new friends? <br />6-8 false. Life in middle school can be stressful. Lots of things can distract us from having a good day at school. If you're having trouble finding anything good about your school then you should probably talk to someone about it. Parents, teachers, guidance counselor, gym teachers.. just pick someone nice and start talking about why school days are dragging you down.<br /><br />We all have good days and boring days and fun days and terrible days. The secret is to learn from the bad and enjoy the good. Have a happy day tomorrow.Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-6587116021428912912008-09-27T12:10:00.005-04:002008-10-01T23:27:42.625-04:00party problem<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsEQM_lAHcFMpFDwJBI90b2heRDYjWYjXzKz-buSbY8QDT9HnFfRpEUUldgGlsPbNg4svJZ_8v7kgRf6aNMhzDrAEYyAkM65-hBiCuhOV_tc715CJizY5oXZME4_sClBmwZYbCSArQA07/s1600-h/Teen_Lake_Party.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsEQM_lAHcFMpFDwJBI90b2heRDYjWYjXzKz-buSbY8QDT9HnFfRpEUUldgGlsPbNg4svJZ_8v7kgRf6aNMhzDrAEYyAkM65-hBiCuhOV_tc715CJizY5oXZME4_sClBmwZYbCSArQA07/s200/Teen_Lake_Party.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252393027223984482" /></a><br />You're having a party. YAY!<br />You're allowed to invite friends. YAY!<br />There's a limit on the friends. OK.<br />Mom says only 5 friends. OK.<br />Your list of best friends is 8. PROBLEM!<br />Now what will you do? You want a fun party with friends but you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings if they're not invited.<br />First check with your parents to see if you could add a couple more people. If they say yes then everything's ok. No? Ok, on to plan B. Ask if you could have a shorter party but invite 8 friends. plan C. Ask if you could have the party outside at a park or playground and invite 8 friends. plan D. maybe you want to go lower, have a smaller party and just have 2 friends. sometimes managing a lot of friends at one party can be stressful, if you know what I mean. Your party should be easy and fun and happy. You want kids who are nice to eachother. Kids who are nice to you. Kids who like going to parties to have fun and celebrate. Look forward to the party and have lots of fun that day. Kids will understand that you can't invite everyone you know to every party.Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-32672788169138478212008-09-18T20:40:00.006-04:002008-09-21T13:47:48.522-04:00oh no, parent - teacher night<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8coV6zeUwrin37sIW4y5qk_p54f6-MqaOjwvSdyk03oYfnyN1-6AjaD0yKfaOB9hpCtsj-nNHonMi9KBN9Wddah1As7RXV9b26i-jzCbg70ZAI4AaJ-OL3uuA4PK5gJr-6TIdWCTvXlLz/s1600-h/embarrassed+dev.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247530842530090994" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8coV6zeUwrin37sIW4y5qk_p54f6-MqaOjwvSdyk03oYfnyN1-6AjaD0yKfaOB9hpCtsj-nNHonMi9KBN9Wddah1As7RXV9b26i-jzCbg70ZAI4AaJ-OL3uuA4PK5gJr-6TIdWCTvXlLz/s320/embarrassed+dev.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Is your dad so embarrassing that if he goes to parent teacher night something terrible will happen? What if he tells one of his stupid fart jokes to your teacher? What if he actually farts in school? What if the teacher hears it? or smells it? <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);font-size:180%;" >I don't think you can ever go back to school again. </span><span style="font-size:78%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">just kidding.</span></span><br />Dads and teachers get along just fine. Of course, your dad might say something funny. Parents and teachers communicate differently than kids and teachers. Your teacher will think your dad is a happy, funny guy if he tells a dumb joke. Adults like that kind of stuff. The teacher will like your dad, too. When your teacher says, "hey I met your dad last night" and starts to smile, you'll know <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">everything's</span> cool. Ask if he did anything embarrassing. Say that you've heard all his crazy jokes a million times. Be proud that your dad took the time to go to school and meet your teachers. He wants to be sure that they are awesome people who are taking good care of you all day. which they are, of course. It's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ok</span> if he stands out in the teacher's mind as a funny person. Now if he was telling secrets about your stuffed animal collection.... or your special blanket that you've loved since you were born.... that's quite different. He would never do that. I hope. Don't get stressed about parent - teacher night. Let them meet each other. They all want you to do your best and be a smart, happy kid. Enjoy the attention. Have a great day at school tomorrow.Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-63731652506972806132008-09-15T20:10:00.007-04:002008-09-18T21:25:46.174-04:00what's so funny?<em><span style="color:#ff6600;">Aunt Jen, kids in my class were laughing at a joke but I didn't get it.</span></em><br />I say you should just laugh along with them. Fake it. Smile.<br />It doesn't feel good when other people are laughing and you're not! Hey, it's not personal. They're <span style="color:#ffcc33;">kids</span> laughing about something funny, not about you. That's good. You want to hang out with happy kids. Funny kids are.... um, funny. Maybe you missed something silly on a tv show. They could be laughing about a funny new video on youtube. Remember the big mac rap that everyone was talking about a while ago? If you never saw the video and you heard kids say CRISPY, you might have thought they were talking about lunch or a teacher's weird hair! If you saw the rap then you know it was a joke at the end about chicken. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLn45-7Pn2Y">Watch it here.</a> Keep in mind that the joke wasn't about you. You just laugh along and ask your best friend to explain the joke later. You could just blurt out "What's so funny?" They'll tell you. If they don't, it's really OK. Nobody gets every joke on earth.Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-7131578917936689162008-09-14T20:55:00.004-04:002008-09-14T21:21:37.954-04:00investigate the desk<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKqTui5yz61-9QG-cmbutAYmxZlRClYprh8guJr-Fy1WVWe2YAE9G92xnX-b-9fOONlbBEdmBu9j6qFgErLvMwo3TmdOsLKkKvk1ejiM9gPm1f6P8AFC1NLGcRK3NhCWT1HdUhYZXW_ld/s1600-h/20080912_04.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246051313345229410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKqTui5yz61-9QG-cmbutAYmxZlRClYprh8guJr-Fy1WVWe2YAE9G92xnX-b-9fOONlbBEdmBu9j6qFgErLvMwo3TmdOsLKkKvk1ejiM9gPm1f6P8AFC1NLGcRK3NhCWT1HdUhYZXW_ld/s320/20080912_04.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>What's on your favorite teacher's desk? What's on that scary teacher's desk?</div><br /><div>What can you tell about your teacher by looking at that desk?</div><br /><div>a. she's disorganized</div><br /><div>b. she really likes to collect cat statues</div><br /><div>c. she went sailing during summer vacation</div><br /><div>d. she has cute kids of her own</div><br /><div>e. she has cool stuff that you could talk to her about</div><br /><div></div>The answer is ????<br /><div>Go ahead. Investigate your teacher's desk. Don't be rude about it. Just casually look around at the stuff on there. It's not a good idea to start picking things up or rearranging those cat satues. Teachers decorate their classrooms and desks with things they like. They bring in things from home. Things from trips. Artwork their kids made. Things their friends gave them. I bet there are even decorations students made or gave them. </div><br /><div>Are there things on the desk that you have in common? Maybe you like bendy action figures. Check the desk for action figures. Teachers are interesting people who have lots of experiences to share with you. Your teacher would love to talk about the personal things on her desk. but not during math class. Wait for the right time and ask a nice question. Get to know your teacher better. You'll enjoy being in the classroom even more when you have good relationship with the person in charge. happy students + happy teachers = happy school days</div><div>Who doesn't like happy school days?</div>Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-80828113357092420862008-09-09T16:36:00.005-04:002008-09-10T16:52:52.786-04:00move it, kid!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9GpSjLZH6mTa1cSVBnINEPjOXv8AvwLi_NOgnTUGgIMYn5bcAiythuli6Epw_Y8VZ0bM4sS1mOc2M_zsrGOur0TaZctejTFQ92mdTesovlxpi0gpkYCZUzYlTPtXciv5OfHjjy2iALE9/s1600-h/20080831_123.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244216340559930914" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9GpSjLZH6mTa1cSVBnINEPjOXv8AvwLi_NOgnTUGgIMYn5bcAiythuli6Epw_Y8VZ0bM4sS1mOc2M_zsrGOur0TaZctejTFQ92mdTesovlxpi0gpkYCZUzYlTPtXciv5OfHjjy2iALE9/s320/20080831_123.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>What I mean is, move your body. Exercise. Run around. Chase your pet. Ride a bike. It feels great. It's good for your muscles and blood and brain and even your mood. It's good for your bones and digestive system, too.</div><br /><div>When do you get any exercise? You go to school all day. Most middle schools don't allow recess. gym time is really short. Are you required to sit in your seat and not even wiggle around? The day is not very active. </div><br /><div>After school, time on the computer is sitting again. So is watching tv. That's not enough movement for your growing body. Experts would like young people to get about an hour of movement each day. Back in the day, kids had to chop wood and harvest crops and do tons of heavy chores. they hardly ever got to sit around. Ask your grandparents about it! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Check out this site for more info about more good reasons to <em><span style="color:#33cc00;">move it, kid!</span></em> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/exercise_wise.html">http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/exercise_wise.html</a></div><br /><div>The site also has good ideas about how you can move your body.</div>Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-28970203999813349312008-09-08T18:56:00.005-04:002008-09-10T16:53:21.081-04:00really gross stuff<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJrD5A8FxQDygNgS9wEdu7PTokmk6H4JTYCLe4v1pyomjp74a4cDQ-5m0-xytHSw_EEG67J4VX3IWoLI6BdFHug-y3atnn5Xc21UyoUhw6PFzs9-eySQoJT2vPucyuPdbNRCuBua6Wufi/s1600-h/cat+tissues.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243802368491928274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJrD5A8FxQDygNgS9wEdu7PTokmk6H4JTYCLe4v1pyomjp74a4cDQ-5m0-xytHSw_EEG67J4VX3IWoLI6BdFHug-y3atnn5Xc21UyoUhw6PFzs9-eySQoJT2vPucyuPdbNRCuBua6Wufi/s200/cat+tissues.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Which is the most disgusting thing you can experience in a classroom?<br />a. someone throws up<br />b. someone has a nose bleed<br />c. someone is picking his nose<br />d. someone is sniffing snot and refuses to use tissues<br />e. someone wipes his nose on his hand<br />f. someone coughs on your stuff<br />g. someone keeps sneezing right next to you<br />h. someone stuck gum under your desk and you touch it<br />i. someone picks scabs that bleed or ooze goo <br /><br />All of the above are really gross. Equally gross to me. Actually the absolute grossest is when someone does any of the above things then touches your stuff. Picks up your pencil. Shares your book. Sits at your desk. Touches your computer. I'm getting the creeps just writing about it. So what can you do about this gross stuff? First, make sure you are not doing it. Any of it. That's right, we don't use sleeves in middle school. Go get tissues. Then use them. Then throw them in the trash. Then wash your hands. If your room doesn't have tissues then go to the bathroom and use toilet paper on your nose. Keep your gum away from the desks. Wrap it in a scrap of paper then throw it in the trash. don't leave your gum for other people. ever. Leave your scabs alone. Get a bandaid. Keep the scabs covered. your hands are dirty anyway and those scrapes won't heal when you touch them with your school-germ hands. If your stomach gets upset and you are going to throw up, take action. Get to the trash can. Get to the bathroom. Don't ask permission. Just get away from other kids and try your best to hit the can. Your teacher will understand. You won't get in trouble if you're sick.<br />Anyone who spends any time at school knows about all this gross stuff and more. Use good personal care. That means take care of yourself. Keep other people's germs out of your body. Try your best not to share your germs with other people. Use the bathroom sink at lunch time to wash your hands with soap before you touch your food.<br />If someone next to you seems to be trying to share germs tell them about the rules of self care.<br />Have a healthy, gross-free day!</div>Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8788519418131628847.post-68482510565522969782008-09-07T21:42:00.003-04:002008-09-07T22:59:20.150-04:00check your behavior<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHwzCKgvRBVSFyb-TBSSlL6NjN7q3j9X-S1SssG8feovX8CcKVFFnDSvmHDlh67WPAIYB5mxpqq2nPJWPLW1H_-_jm_tcDJoYFd_8Mr5lfGyJfhJeHIlcuM7S0eihqWDz7wIub3p-Ulz6/s1600-h/P6130436.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243479548273063266" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHwzCKgvRBVSFyb-TBSSlL6NjN7q3j9X-S1SssG8feovX8CcKVFFnDSvmHDlh67WPAIYB5mxpqq2nPJWPLW1H_-_jm_tcDJoYFd_8Mr5lfGyJfhJeHIlcuM7S0eihqWDz7wIub3p-Ulz6/s200/P6130436.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Um, about your behavior in school... how's it going?<br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">1. Are you bringing all materials to class?</span> You always have to bring something to write with, notebooks, and textbooks. Teachers get really irritated with students who come to class without the basic stuff. Keep some extra pencils in your locker. Have at least one with you at all times. It shows that you are ready to get work done, even if you really dont feel like it. fake it. Let's say you got to class without your book and your teacher starts getting mad at you and you hold up your pencil and say, "I'm partly prepared." then show your best puppy dog smile. I think you'll just get a warning and you might even be allowed to go to your locker and get the book you need.<br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">2. Are you concentrating on the lesson?</span> Hey, see that teacher standing in front of your class talking? Look. The teacher is talking to you. Yes. YOU. Of course, she is talking to some other kids at the same time, but you are being given information that you need to learn. Pay attention. Oh, I know it's hard. There are cute kids in your class who you need to watch. There are silly kids who might do something really funny and you could miss it if you concentrate on the teacher. There are juicy notes to write. Concentrate now. Play later. Concentrate now. Daydream later.<br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">3. Are you talking out of turn?</span> Put 28 people in one room. They all have stuff to say. About different things. At the same time. The word for that scene is chaos. Complete confusion. You know classrooms can't operate like that. That's why there's one person in charge. The teacher. He will allow others to speak but they must do it in an organized manner. Are you being cooperative with the system of taking turns when talking in class? If not, it's time to start. It's part of growing up.<br />4. One more thing to check today. <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Are you acting goofy behind the teacher's back?</span> You know exactly what I mean. He turns to write on the board. You make monkey faces. He turns to get something out of the bookcase. You act like an octopus. He helps another kid and isn't looking at you. You put a <span style="color:#ff9966;">Kick</span> <span style="color:#ff9966;">Me</span> sign on someone's back. While this behavior is funny, it's not allowed in middle school. Maybe it was ok in 3rd or 4th grade but now we all need to get work done and we don't really have time for your silly stuff. It's immature. It's time to stop doing that.</div>Aunt Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13738613259038144759noreply@blogger.com1