Let's discuss curriculum night, shall we? I was able to attend N's this evening, but have a previous engagement on Thursday, so I will not be able to attend B's. As his room mom (one of two, thank you very much), I feel like a failure, like I'm not setting a good example. It doesn't really matter because his teacher is awesome and is emailing me the power point and any pertinent information so it'll be like I'm there only I won't have to worry about whether or not the air conditioning will be working. Because, oh LORD, it was not on tonight.
N's first class of the day is Athletics. He opted out of football (partially because of the ungodly roll call hour), and now he's regretting it because it seems that everybody (and some of their mamas, too) is playing football. He didn't want to try out for basketball, so that put him into the "offseason/running track and cross country" category. I think he's less than pleased, but as someone who isn't a morning person, he's easily my favorite child at the moment for not making me get up and drag him to school, ready to play at 6:15. Every. Single. Morning.
After Athletics, he has Texas History. Coincidentally, I'm ALSO taking Texas History, albeit on a much higher level, and I think it will be fun to learn from each other when our heads aren't spinning 360 degrees while we screech at each other. I keep it real. Also, on Groupon the other day, I received a "deal" for the Texas History Museum all the way out in White Settlement. I'm intrigued. N loves history (mainly WWII), so this could be something fun and educational we could do together...and we shall! (I just shot my fist into the air in a triumphant gesture, in case you were wondering.) His teacher is also a coach (volleyball), so she said, right up front, that she encourages the students to eat in her class...it's too early and they've already been up for so long by the time they get to 2nd period, and I just sat there, thinking, "Man...it's so nice to have a teacher who gets it. I bet she has at least two kids that lived..." (Sidenote: When we did something ridiculously dumb growing up, my dad would always ask us if our mom had any kids that lived. Yes, I know. I'm becoming my parents. It creeps me out WAY more than you.)
Pre-AP Language Arts is next, and I'm not sure what I was expecting based on N's description, but she was a total riot...totally unorganized and all over the place, but hilarious. An example, you say? Okay! "So, the 7th grade required reading this year is 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry. I know it just came out as a movie, but I haven't seen it yet. I know T-Swift is in it, and I just don't know...T-Swift as an actor? Hmmm...oh, and I love Nemo. He's my favorite, but I'm so like Dory. Fish hooks! Take a picture of your kid reading and email it to me and I'll hang it on a fish hook. So, yeah..." One of the dad's in the room was laughing so hard he was wiping tears. I couldn't make actual eye contact because I knew I'd snort.
Science is next, and his teacher has the dry sense of humor that N will know and appreciate. She doesn't know it yet, but she's going to love him...and want to smack him upside the head all at the same time. She has four kids (they've all lived), but only one lives at home now. The others are all out, in school...except for her daughter who's in the Peace Corps in Morocco. How cool is that?! She seems like she'll be a great resource for N, on a variety of subjects. He also has her for Enrichment, but I can honestly say I have no idea what the hell that might be at this point.
Exploratory something or other is next, and that's the "mandatory elective" which helps them to choose one of 16 different career paths they'll take when they get to high school. Don't even get me started. I'm all for prepping for something, but at the same time, I also think they should be able to spend time in 7th grade taking an elective they enjoy. The teacher (another volleyball coach) seems pretty fantastic and super-excited about this new program that's rolling out this year, and I can see the good in it, definitely. I just think it's a little much. N's already stressing about which plan/path his current goal is.
And then there's Creative Writing. Last year, his teacher was an absolute treasure! We adored her, and she LOVED him. The whole reason he took the class again was to get her. Well, he didn't. He ended up with a teacher who teaches GT and Science and instead of getting a circle on her career aptitude test, she got a square. Sounds pretty "Divergent" to me...she was also all over the place, but I think it was the heat. It was sooooo hot in there. (If you're singing, "It's getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes" you score bonus points, because that's my go-to thought anytime anyone makes a similar comment. Now you know my secret.) She seemed flustered and kept calling it a class to help people get over the fear of writing. Several parents and I glanced around nervously. Our kids can write; they took the class last year and they took it again for any/all of the following reasons:
1. There's never any homework.
2. There are assignments, but there are never any legit grades.
3. It's a place they can just be themselves...and read all period if they want to, update their blog, or write to their little heart's content.
Not anymore, SUCKAHS. I casually mentioned this to her, and she practically laughed in my face. We miss the other CW teacher. So so much.
To wrap up the day, he heads to the dreaded 7th Grade Math. Y'all, I hate math more than anything in the world (although there are a few close seconds), and N definitely got that trait from me. His teacher, however, is young and fun and entertaining. As she explained her background, I realized why N all of a sudden started talking about going to TCU. She's ADORABLY CUTE, people. Crush city! She went through her presentation on warp speed, all the while tugging at her shirt in an attempt to fan herself. It was THAT hot in there. I'm surprised there weren't puddles of people.
Another good thing (at least for me) is that they're using Blackboard as their online forum this year. Since both of the universities I attend use Blackboard for everything, I was able to give N some tips and show him how to navigate. I could not, however, get the stupid math video to load. Shocker.
All in all, I think he will have a good year. He has a pretty stacked morning of classes, but as long as the ac is working, he should be fine. He says his classes are always freezing. Well...I'd beg to differ.
I'm too young for hot flashes, but I thought about figuring out a way to climb in the freezer upon my return home. I got over it. The effort involved...pass.
Aubs
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