Saturday, February 23, 2013

oOo Fishy Business oOo


Mutilated fish
*Viewer discretion is advised!

Right now in 5th grade science, we have been studying the respiration system. One of the science labs includes a teacher demonstration using fish gills to study breathing in comparison to that of lungs in humans (and other animals). Now, my kids are cool. They love Magic School Bus and Bill Nye the Science Guy. Their fascination with the world around them is absolutely inspiring. We have such a wonderful time in science that I just KNEW they had to be the ones handling the fish gills, not me.

fish gills! NICE WORK kids!
The day started off like no other.

"Please open your diaries [agendas/planners] and write down tonight's homework."

I quickly scribbled some assignment page from their grammar book and then proceeded to write, "Bring a fishhead" in the science subject. And what a commotion that caused!

Before I knew it, I was greeted the following morning with 12 fish heads. Well, 11 actually since one child decided to bring in a whole fish (dead of course).

I was so excited! I had several students help me bring our new friends to the staff fridge, wrote a note in both Bahasa and English stating not to eat or throw away the fish.

Our lab took place an hour before lunch. With the help of the admin staff, I had successfully laid out 12 fish heads in bags with Styrofoam and a box of disposable gloves. The students quickly filed in and grabbed their friends! <*)))><

The kids were so intrigued! They handled the lab quite well. I applauded the boys for not chasing the girls around with their fish heads and thanked the girls for not throwing up.

A few memorable moments:

Student: Miss, umm.. I think my fish is still breathing.. (*note, this is the child with a whole fish)
Me: (heart drops) Are you SERIOUS?

I briskly walked to the student's lab table, only to discover him with one hand on each gill opening and closing them manually. -______-

Inhale

Exhale

So naturally, when this student told me his finger was stuck in its mouth a few moments later, I didn't believe him. Until another student said, "No, really Miss! His finger won't come out!"

Sigh. Sure enough, I suddenly find myself looking at a little finger lodged in the fish's mouth. Turns out it had gotten caught on the fish's teeth.

"Teacher fired after student's finger consumed by fish"
After calming the group down (and removing a finger), I was bombarded with other various comments from students.

"I found its heart!" (holds it in palm and shows girls who then shriek)
"Is this its brain?!" (How did they manage to pull that out?)

And my favorite, "ARGHHH! Miiiiss Amberrrrr! (insert student name here) just took his pencil and stabbed the fish's eye! Now there's black stuff all over!"

Despite what appeared to be organized chaos, the kiddos finished their lab, cleaned up their mess, answered the questions (correctly!) and eagerly watched the last few minutes of Bill Nye's segment on fish gills before the bell rang for lunch.

Oh the perks of being a science teacher! If I could strictly be a science teacher, I'd be the happiest girl in the world. When I move back to the States, I am definitely looking for a 6th grade science teacher opening!

xoxo amber

Friday, February 15, 2013

Scars

From every wound there is a scar, and every scar tells a story. A story that says, "I survived."
     - Craig Scott

A year later and I FINALLY get to call him mine!
What a wonderful Valentine's Day! I'm sure from the introduction of this post, it might make you think otherwise. I never thought I would actually have a valentine this year, let alone in Indonesia (unless you count my students but you know they just feel obligated).

But boy was I in for a surprise! I wasn't feeling the love after scolding a 5th grade student (and missing half of my lunch) until I came downstairs to the teacher workroom and saw a dozen roses, a box of chocolates and the sweetest card delivered from Ryan (who I may mention is currently living in the states). He is amazing and I am so blessed to have him in my life. For those of you who were there for me that horrible summer of 2008, you know what I went through as I watched my whole life just crumble in front of my very own eyes. I convinced myself that I would never be a sucker for love again.. until I met Ryan who ultimately became one of my best friends during my last two years in Knoxville. :)

Twelve roses to represent how twelve months ago Ryan had made a phone call to me while I was in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at the UNI Overseas Teaching Job Fair. I was in my hotel room, stressed beyond belief, trying to decide which country I would live in for the next two years in less than 24 hours. One ignored phone call and a year later, I find out that he actually had intentions of asking me out for Valentine's Day.. but I didn't even give him an opportunity to do so. And yet, here we are. Now that's some serious patience!

Love from my third and fifth grade students. My favorite one reads: "... sorry for being so rude when you are talking."

Miss all of ya'll back home! Hopefully your day was spent well with the ones you love!

xoxo amber