Happy UN Day!

We will be judged in the future on the actions we take today -- on results. On this United Nations Day, let us rededicate ourselves to achieving them."
Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General

One of the wonderful things about celebrating United Nations Day is that it isn’t solely an American holiday but a day to celebrate unity with countries that form the UN. With all the negativity and chaos in our daily lives, it is a relief to know that other people continue to make an effort to uphold social progress, human rights and world peace.

Last year, my 2nd grade class represented India. With the help of Rahul’s parents we were able to dress the kids in Sari and Dhoti. Today, we were the Boricua’s and Borrinqueño’s of Puerto Rico! Ms. Nora and I had a blast painting the flag on our kids faces.

HOLA! from PuertoRico

Ms. Aguon with her beautiful dress and GiNOROMOUS hat representing the CNMI

This kids class made up commandments to represent Egypt...

(zoom in to the first commandment, you'll get a kick out of it)

Wolf's Honor!

In the land of make believe anything can happen! My kids (for non teachers, my students) love magical-mystical happenings with uncanny characters and cruel villains. Growing up, I remember the mean step-mother in Cinderella, the three bears who scared Goldilocks away and the Big Bad Wolf who huffed and puffed and blew the piggy’s house down. But lately, authors have started a series of ‘the other side of the fairy tale’. One class favorite is the The real story of The Three Little Pigs.

According to the wolf he doesn’t know how this whole Big Bad Wolf thing got started and explains “maybe it's because of our diet. Hey it’s not my fault wolves eat cute little animals like bunnies and sheep and pigs. That's just the way we are. If cheeseburgers were cute, folks would probably think you were big and bad, too.”

We also remember that he huffed and puffed to blow the pigs' houses down, it turns out that he simply had a bad cold and had a powerful sneeze. Who could blame him for eating the pigs that died when their houses fell as a result of his sneezing? “It seemed like a shame to leave a perfectly good ham dinner lying there in the straw. So I ate it up. Think of it as a big cheeseburger just lying there.”

He continues to explain that he was only visiting the pigs to borrow a cup of sugar to make a cake for his deal old granny's birthday. The pigs wouldn't even give him any sugar! When the third pig insulted his grandmother, he got a little crazy. The police found him trying to break down the pig's door, “The rest, as they say, is history. The news reporters found out about the two pigs I had for dinner. They figured a sick guy going to borrow a cup of sugar didn't sound very exciting. So they jazzed up the story with all that "huff and puff" and "blow your house down" stuff.”

After we read the story, I asked my kids whether or not they were convinced by the wolf's version of the story. One of my boys answered “Yes, because I like to eat pigs and cheeseburgers too.”

Halloween Experience by Noah

On Halloween Mr. Brad came and showed us how to carve a pumpkin. He talked funny and he was wearing a Japanese costume. We wanted the pumpkin face to be scary instead of happy. Mr. Brad also made us take the brains out, it was slimy. We named it killer head and said it again so we can remember it. We were very loud but Ms. Kathy wasn't mad. Then Mr. Brad left and there was an earthquake . We didn’t feel it cause killer head saved us. We went back to class and had a lot of candy.

Favorite quote of the day:
-Why are you wearing girls slippers Mr. Brad?

Another Year Gone By

I thought this school year would be much easier, having a bit more knowledge on how to manipulate 7 year olds with a few cool tricks in my pocket. For those who teach, you know this is wishful thinking. My 25 young ‘ens had more than enough characteristics in them including the energy level that each character possessed. Although I have to say, I am going to miss their “innocent” giggles, their tight little hugs, their creativity, and not to mention the attention. To my 2nd grade class of 2006-2007, thank you for sweet memories, trying days, and your big hearts. Believe in yourself. You will always be in my prayers.