The Beginning of the Year vs. The End of the Year

We're approaching the most wonderful time in the school year. That time we've been looking forward to ever since we walked through the doors back in August/September. Yup, that's right, the end of the school year. That glorious time of the year when students and teachers alike come to the mutual, unspoken agreement that no one gives a f* anymore, so let's let it all hang out.

Don't pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about. You know. Oh yes, you. know. A lot has happened this year. You've dealt with a lot this year. You're feeling the weariness. The exhaustion. The effects of being beat down by administration, colleagues, parents and students. And ultimately, things... have... changed from the start of the school year to the end. 

Let's compare, shall we?

(Tip: Open the image below in a new tab and you'll be able to zoom in)

What do you think? Are you ready for The End of the School Year yet?

Human Biology 101: 1st Grader Edition

A couple of weeks ago I took my first graders outside for art. We were engaged in a drawing scavenger hunt. The students were tasked with drawing any natural things that they could find. The following conversation took place between me, an intellectually advanced first grader, and a, um, not-so intellectually advanced first grader (but an oh-so, gosh-darn cute one):

FG1: "Are humans natural?"
Me: "Well, we're not man-made, are we?"
FG1 (an intense look of deep thought overtakes his face): Um.....
Me (cutting him off before he could counter that, yes, in fact, one could argue that humans are technically man-made): "Okay, well, it doesn't require any tools or machines to make us, right?"
FG1: "No."
Me: "Well, then humans are natural!"
FG2:  "But, tools are used."
Me: "They are?"
FG2: "Yeah. You need a knife to cut the girl's stomach open to get the baby out."

And with that I chose to exit the conversation and walk away. I didn't really see it as my place to get into the birth of babies with a couple of first graders.