Funny things from class:

I've started having my advanced 5th and 6th graders journal for 10 minutes everyday. The only rule is that they are constantly writing in English the whole time. The are allowed to write about anything they want. Most of the kids write about their days or what they played during recess time. This is what one boy wrote.

"All plants need sunlight and soil in order to survive. However, sunlight and soil are not enogh to grow carnivorous plants. The must eat tiny animals. Sundew plants have sticky leaves that move quickly to trap fly."

I think I have a genius on my hands.

In another class, I had the students create their own bands and write what instruments they would include, how many people would be in their band, and what their number one song would be called. This was one 5th grader's response.

NAME OF BAND: I Kill You For the Music
INSTRUMENTS: sexphone <---- we just learned the word "saxophone"
#1 SONG: Boober

Another thing I find really funny is the conversation I have whenever people ask me where I'm from. The typical conversation goes like this...

"Where are you from?"
"Pennyslvania. Do you know Philadelphia?"
(usually a vague look of familiarity)
"What is famous there?"
"Do you know the Liberty Bell?"
(blank stare)
"You know, the big bell with the crack in it. L-I-B-E-R-T-Y-B-E-L-L?"
(another blank stare)
"The woman who sewed the first American flag lived in Philadelphia."
(slight nod)
"Do you know the movie Rocky?"
(enthusiastic nod) followed by "Sylvester Stallone." (or some variation of his name)
"Do you know the part where he runs up the steps and pumps his fists in triumph?" (usually said while acting out the running up the steps and fist pumps)
"Yes! Yes!"
"Well, those steps are in Philadelphia."
"Ahhhhhh."