This is what I signed up for

First and foremost, The Big Bang Theory may well be the funniest show on television. Just sayin's all.

Today was one of those days that was the reason I signed up to be a teacher. We're starting a new novel, and it's one that leads to a lot of discussions about civics, racism, and prejudice. The kids are making connections, and what's more, I get to break them out of their little country-club mentality that they don't even know they have. And we're only on chapter 5! We had to stop the discussions because it was time to go to specials, and they didn't want to stop talking about it.

In another subject, we're going way out of the TAKS box and integrating LA and Science, and learning about endangered animals and such. They're loving it, and they're getting the point that just because we have to take a TAKS test, that is not what learning is about.

We're also about to look at the curriculum and veer left. In Social Studies, the curriculum covers the Civil War in one lesson (one day) and Restoration in one lesson. The Civil War is one of the most interesting and educational time periods and my kids are actually asking me to learn about it. So, we're starting tomorrow and taking a week to learn about Texas's role in the whole thing. Based on what they've told me, their worlds are about to be rocked. But that's what I'm there for.