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Teaching Vocabulary

This morning, Mona, one of my students, brought in the word “over-achiever” and asked me to explain it. The conversation involved the whole class, but it was an unplanned, totally off the cuff, 30 second lesson. I promptly forgot it and we moved on to reading, math, and lunch.

After lunch I stood in front of the class trying to convey the idea of exaggeration. I was deliberately overacting. Ike told me I was weird. I told him it was part of my job description, then added, “It says in my contract I have to act silly at least twice per day.”

Moe immediately mumbled, “Boy, you’re really an over-achiever.”

Quilly is the pseudonym of Charlene L. Amsden, who lives on The Big Island in Hawaii. When she is not hanging out with Amoeba, she is likely teaching or sewing. Or she could be cooking, taking photographs, or even writing. But if she's not doing any of that, she's probably on Facebook or tinkering with her blog.

20 Comments

  1. Isn’t that just a sparkling “TA DA” moment when they get it? I used to love when that happened with my kids.

  10. I was speaking to the comment about over achieving being a job description for both you and the president. Bush has tried rather boldy to achieve some big goals, but failed. Overreach, (vb) 1: to reach above or beyond and 2: to defeat oneself by too great an effort.

    Need I say more?

  13. That’s just the best and it makes it a memorable moment when they show you they got it in such a funny way… happens with my kids and it is the best feeling!

    Have a fab weekend!

  14. Quilly-Sister, you’ve got some pretty sharp kids this year. Better stay on your toes. What fun you must have with them – and what great fodder they are for your blogs. 🙂 (I’m into smiles now, I think Tom implied I was laughing too loud).

  15. You can’t pull anything over on those kids, can you? That’s too funny. Makes me think of the day Beth took Kylie to the Dr. and the nurse was reading her chart, “I see you’re going to be 4 in just a few days. How old are you now?” Kylie just looked at her in amazement and then replied, “Duh! If I’m going to be 4 that means I’m 3 now!” Beth said, “Kylie!!” Kylie turned to Beth and said, “Well she asked a stupid question, Mom!”

  17. Hey jackie, don’t let me rain on your symbolic parade, LOL 🙂 ;). did I make you feel sad? 🙁 BTW I’m ROTFL. oh BRB. FYI Here are some new symbols I made up for everyone to use (this may be my next post). so enjoy!
    a little drunk %}
    Real drunk %?
    Too drunk ;@
    The morning after %{ or ;O@
    giving a smooch ;*
    skeptical ;^
    Censored :X
    disgruntled ;
    scared :[
    innocent:]
    after eating a lemon drop ;+
    imitating a bunny :=
    Thought these could be useful. T

  19. haha………Nick would like to have just one teacher who acts silly, or even human.

    He came home from school yesterday and said, you know what Mom, all of my teachers are mean….and yell way to much. It seems to be a Southern thing. I don’t remember the teachers in California yelling at students and calling them stupid in front of the whole class. Nick said at least once a day someone gets yelled and told they are stupid. It is hard to believe, but Ana told me the same thing when she was in middle school here in Georgia…..and my kids don’t make up stuff……..I went to school and heard it first hand, in the hallway, teachers hollering, and then telling the kids to be quiet……I guess they haven’t heard of learning by example here….

  20. Yea… if I ever get near Vegas I’m lookin’ you up! I think between the two of us… well… the whole WORLD may never be the same!

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