Ahh, Mexico

I realize that there's an illegal immigration problem here in this great nation, and I'm not saying that all my immigrant students are illegal, but I know that there are some. Legal or illegal, I'm noticing that all my little Mexican students are WONDERFUL! Most of the little ones are still learning English and sometimes still don't know when they're speaking English or Spanish, but they are the most polite, most eager, most sharing, happy, generous students I have ever had. It's phenomenal! There are times when my classroom is complete paradise. Especially when I have a classroom full of native Mexican students...wonder what that says about Americans. I don't know for sure, but what I do know is that I'm beginning to appreciate Mexico more and more!

Hallelujah! I'm back!

Oh, It's been a long and turny road! Finally I have internet and computer access at my new job!! Took long enough! I've been pretty awful about keeping up my blog these last few months. But, let me tell you, these last few months have NOT been a walk in the park! It's a miracle I made it through. My part time job had been taking up all my extra time...and some more...then my new job is a lot of hard work. The good news is, however, I LOVE it!! It's fabulous! Teaching elementary art could be the funnest thing ever! Even when the kids are bad it's still kind of fun. Now, don't think that I have it all together. I still have a long way to go, but so far, so good. Most of my little students are precious. They say lots of funny things! Most of which I wish to tell you about right here!

So far, here's the best one:

We were studying this Georgia O'Keefe painting, talking about the element of line. Most of the children ooohed and ahhhed at the pretty colors, etc. One of my more advanced classes really liked the painting. After talking a little about it, I gave them an assignment and told them to get to work. One little girl, a 4th grader, pulled me aside:

"Umm...Miss Rice...not to be rude, but that looks like a woman's v@$in@."

I, of course had been thinking this the whole time, but figured elementary students wouldn't pick up on Georgia O'Keefe's inappropriateness.

"I know," I said. "Let's not bring it up."

More to come!!!