Oh How Funny Children Can Be

So, I found out that it is pretty much certain that I will be working with my little friend and his class second block. First block (starting Monday) I'll be in 1st or 2nd grade, so there will be lots of fun stories!

Yesterday, one of the boys in my class had a loose tooth. He said, and I quote, "Ms. Denton, will you punch me in the face?" I laughed and said that I would not. He added an incentive--"I'll pay you five dollars!" Kids are so funny!

Nathan very much looks forward to lunch. I had to come back around lunchtime to talk to the teacher, so I was able to chat with him a little. He made up a cheer--something very close to "Have no fear, lunch is here!" It had a little bit more, but I asked him if he had a dance to it. He got up and did the robot. I could not stop laughing. I asked him if he knew any line dances (my specialty) and he said he didn't know what that was, so I showed him.

Apparently the other kids listen while I'm talking to Nathan. They came up and asked me if I knew line dances and what a line dance was. I asked if they had seen the Hannah Montana movie and they admitted that they had (some more reluctantly than others...this one little tough boy denied it at first and after a teacher look from me he admitted he had seen it lol). I asked if they remembered the Hoedown Throwdown and demonstrated a little. They got pretty exctied that I knew it.

Further, when I related the story to their teacher, she got so excited that I could teach the Hoedown Throwdown for PE. Wow. What have I gotten myself into? I did let them know that I also know other line dances and some square dancing. But boy--I've gotta get the Hoedown Throwdown down! haha

Get ready for some exciting blog posts this semester!

Oh....and I finished my midterm, final assignment, and final for my last real class today :D

My Friend Nathan

I have this new little friend named Nathan (name has been changed). I've been working with him for about three weeks now. He is a 4th grader with some serious anger management problems, but I absolutely adore him.

I needed to work with a child with disabilities for my last class at BYU. I was assigned to Nathan. He has an aide during the middle part of the day, so I come in the morning and afternoon. I am very sad, however, because tomorrow is my last day with him.

One of the things that breaks my heart the most is the low expectations everyone seems to have of him. Here are some things I've heard from his teachers:
-I don't even like him
-He's at the top of my list for kids that I'll be looking up in ten years to see if they have a criminal record
-I wouldn't be surprised if he were at the Point of the Mountain by the age of 25
-He won't make it through middle school
-We're just waiting for one big blow-up that will take him out of the school
-He doesn't belong in this school

It almost makes me cry just writing them. His aide is quitting. A week from tomorrow will be her last day. I found out today and was offered a job as her replacement, as apparently he responds to me better than anyone else. The only problem is that I start student teaching on Monday. While I could be assigned to their school, his class goes off track a week after I start, which would be completely counterintuitive to the student teaching experience.

I considered deferring my student teaching until next semester, but then thought of a much better solution! We pulled in the facilitator (the lady that goes between me and BYU) and found that my teachers tracking might just work for second block. They are going to try and pull some strings to get me in Nathan's classroom. Then, regardless of whether or not he gets another aide, I will be in the classroom too. I can spend more recesses swinging with him or playing four square with him. I even look forward to eating lunch with him and discussing his latest exploits on his new bike or the latest treasure he earned in resource.

Hopefully, after graduation I will be able to serve as his aide, either volunteer or paid. I just want to be with this sweet little boy and be one person in his life that loves him.

Life in General

Well, I guess it's about time for a new post, eh?

Sunday was the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication, which was fantastic. I have some amazing notes I may share later. This morning was the first day that the temple was open for ordinances. The baptistry opened at 6am, so I figured getting there at 5:30 would make me one of the first--WRONG! There were already 3 or 4 youth groups.

When I got there, the Temple President was talking to the group. It was really cool to hear him talk to us.

Monday I begin student teaching at Draper Elementary. I'm excited because contract time ends at 3:25, so I can get to work by 4! Woot!

Also, recently I've been having lots of fun adventures with friends! This Friday we are watching the Wizards of Waverly Place premiere :D Rachel and I are planning on doing institute together. We just found out about an opportunity to teach special needs institute, so we're trying to get into that, but if not, I'll be in choir, teaching of the living prophets, and then go to forums they have with prominent LDS people :D I'm SO excited!

Well, that's all for now! Really, the best way to keep up with things, if you care, is facebook.