This One Time...

I'm sure we have all had students that start their stories with, "Ms. Strey, this one time when I was..." These stories usually have something that sparks an emotional reaction--could be shock, disbelief, laughter, a smile, or a shake of a head. All of these things done on the inside of course--or as often as possible. Last year, I had a girl who shared in class how she had planned to kill herself. She shared with everyone the emotions that she was going through and why she wanted a way out. Fortunately, she was in a much better place at that time, but it seemed all the while she was sharing that she enjoyed telling this story of herself. She also didn't recognize that it was something that wasn't appropriate to share.

Lesson Learned:

Our students will share a wide range of stories and ask questions that may be fun to discuss or cause discomfort and awkwardness to deal with in front of an entire class. Sometimes the reaction from you or the class is all they are looking for. In this case, the young girl had autism which prevented her from really knowing that her story was not appropriate to share in front of everyone. At the time, I didn't realize that her inability to handle social situations and interact with others appropriately was the reason for her story. In any case, teachers always have to use discretion in their response and make sure that they handle a question or statement in the way any prudent person would so that boundaries are maintained. Teachers also have to walk to fine line of offering support or demonstrating compassion when the situation calls for it. Bottom line: not all conversations are easy or comfortable but all students deserve to be treated the way that you/I would want to be treated. We are all human. We all come from different backgrounds, which is what makes us all unique. Having a tolerance and understanding of diversity allows us to work with students who come from so many walks of life.

I Need Extra Time

Towards the end of the school year I had a student who came to me in a rush at the end of the period and said, "Ms. Strey, I need extra time for the project that is due tomorrow. I have a really good excuse." (Bell rings--kid walks out the door) I respond to the back of the kids head as he is exiting, "Ben, have the project done for tomorrow!"

Needless to say when the kid came back to class the next day he didn't have a project to turn in, but he assured me that he had a good excuse. He proceeded to tell me that "last night" his sister was in a car accident and he had to spend time with her in the hospital. He was swamped with taking care of her. Of course I immediately caught him in a lie and asked him, "So your sister got in a car accident last night but you told me yesterday in class that you had a good excuse? How could you have known she would get in an accident to use it in an excuse?"

Lesson Learned:

There are times when kids need extra time on assignments and all effective teachers should consider allowing this when it is appropriate and fair. However, there are also times that kids are going to try to push it over a line that is unreasonable. Allowing students to turn things in late or extending deadlines constantly can wreak havoc for any teacher. It doesn't place responsibility on students or teach them life skills for meeting deadlines. Students also have to learn to be honest and know when it is appropriate to ask for more time and when they need to make sure they are using their time wisely to get things done. In high school, time management is a crucial life skill that needs to be developed so they are prepared for college life or the work force. Use your judgement!

Last Day of School

On the last day of school, I have the students complete a reflection activity that asks them where they would like to be in 5 years. They write down dreams to travel, go to college, get a great job and make lots of money, and so on. The next part of the activity is to imagine that they got pregnant or someone else pregnant (keep in mind this is health class and we just covered Human Sexuality). They continue to process what their options are, who they would go to for guidance, and then finally 3 preventative measures they can take to ensure that they are able to make their dreams come true on the front. THey make a pledge to themselves to make certain healthy decisions to ensure this.

After this activity, I ask them if they remember the first day of health class. And one person always remembers. "You dressed up as a fairy godmother and wore a prom dress and a tiara!" Of course, I can't help but smile and explain to them that as their fairy godmother I granted them three wishes, but they are the only ones that can make their dreams come true. I tell them that I did everything I could to give them the knowledge and the skills necessary to live healthy and happy lives, but they are the only ones that can do that by using the things we learned.

Lessons Learned from My students:

#1) All students want to succeed in life. Whether they appear motivated or excited about life, everyone wants something better in their future--it's human nature. So always encourage your students and give them something to be hopeful for if you have the opportunity.

#2) Kids remember/recall information when you dress up or act a part or a character. You don't have to be a theater major to role play every once and awhile, but visuals help engage learning and memories, which can be to your advantage as an educator. I still have former students saying, "remember when you dressed up that one time..."

Health Fairy Godmother 2010

Safe Sex Superhero: the Incredible IUD

                                               

Proud Moment

Today I graded my nutrition projects. One of my students wrote a reflection about the assignment and their future eating habits as assigned. I want to share a tidbit Brandon's reflection because it made me proud that something I taught had stuck with a student and will make him a healthier and happier person (if he sticks with it obviously).


my student's reflection, "Usually I eat a lot of fattening foods. I used to have 1-2 mountain dews a day, rarely hit the 8 glasses of water recommendation, and not as much fruit and vegetables. Now I cut my soda drinking. I haven't had a soda since we started this. All I drank is water and milk. I have started eating fruits or vegetables with every meal. Also I have stopped eating as much as before. I started eating smaller portions. From now on I plan on eating healthier and I don't feel as tired as I used to. It has definitely changed me for the best." ---one kid at a time :)

Cost of a Baby?

Today, we also discussed the cost of raising a baby for the first year of it's life. Students had to use an online calculator to figure out how much they would spend on individual items the baby would need. I told them I woud give them the amount it would cost for insurance and health care.

Billy pipes up in reference to the insurance costs, "I'm a gold member at the adoption agency so I won't have to worry about that expense!"

Contraceptive Conundrums

Recently, in health class we have been discussing and researching birth control methods. When we started discussing the vasectomy. One student says, "What happens after it (the vas deferens) is cut. Does the testicle just hang there or fall off? And what about all the blood vessels? Is there any more blood flow?"

Me, "No, everything stays where it's at. That's what the scrotum is for to hold everything in place.

[Kids!]

Human Sexuality: Questions You (and I've) Never Heard Before

Human Sexuality Day 1--I thought (and you thought) I'd heard it all--NOPE


Kid #1
"Ms. Strey, will you be handing out free condoms during this unit?" 
Me, "No I'm not allowed to do that."
Kid, "Aww really...ok well I have one at home..."
Me, (silence)


Kid #2
"Ms Strey, one good thing about being a hermaphrodite is you can't get anyone pregnant cuz you don't make sperm."


Again silence.