observations of a High School Sub-@#!&%

I have been teaching a class called early childhood development to a tough group of kids. I have spent several weeks with them now, and we have made great progress. We have been talking about positive & negative reinforcement. I decided to show the kids a practical application of this method to achieve desired behavior. I have been addressing the "language" in this class. So I told my students that if the entire class could make it through an entire block without ONE swear word I would bring in Krispy Kreme donuts. (and I had to explaine it was what I considered as a swear word!) Anyway.... a few students were not paying attention. At this point my one male student pipes up "d!@#%it class listen to Mrs. Hucko I want those donuts!" I'll let you know when...or if they finally earn the sweet treat, until then I try to keep a straight face on the outside while I am laughing (or some days crying) on the inside!

Observations of a High School Sub-rabies!

While escorting a special needs gal to the water fountain she began to explain to me why she was so thirsty.... " It's a side affect my rabies"

observations of a High School Sub-invisible friends

I was in the computer lab with a group of special needs kids. A sweet autistic student was rocking back & forth playing his computer game. When I went over to check on him he told me the following: " I'm playing this game better than my imaginary friends" My response... well ok!

observations of a High School Sub-Positive Reinforcement

We were discussing the benefits of positive reinforcement vs. negative reinforcement. As an example I brought a $5.00 McDonald's gift card attached it to some decorated construction paper and taped it on the board. I have a student who can't seem to go 4 sentences without using a swear word... great heart...terrible mouth! I have heard the "f" word to the point I barly flinch... and if you know me... that would seem impossible. Anyway, I have addressed the language "consistently" but she would giggle and say it was "Impossible Mrs. Hucko!"
The challenge... get through the entire double block...3 hours... without ONE swear word & the gift card was hers.
And much to my surprise & hers, she did it! When the bell rang this sweet, tough, girl smiled ear to ear as I handed her the gift card then to she hugged me... a very heart felt hug & thanked me. I told her I was proud of her & now that we know she can do it, I expect her to continue this becoming behavior. I look forward to seeing how this goes.
My only fear is that the rest of the girls will beef up their language with the hopes of the same challenge! Oh well....

Observations of a High School Sub-Arrested

I had a tough day yesterday with my class. Some of them were really off kilter... and we had been making such progress. They were not engaging and disrespect had to be addressed. I was really hoping for a better day today. And actually, the girls were all very good. In fact we had a great day together. But I was missing a few. I found out they had gotten into a fight after school yesterday and they were arrested. My heart sank.
I guess they were off kilter all day & night...knowing this fight was coming!
Theses girls have so many strikes against them, one of the students arrested is already a mom and she is only in the 10th grade... that's right I said 10th grade! Their social skills are so underdeveloped. I hope they get to come back to school, I don't want my last day with them, to really be my last day with them. However, they will continue in my prayers

Mother of a soon to be Bride: Addresses!

I have now checked off another item from the never ending to-do list. The save the dates have been mailed thus the tedious task of collecting the addresses and working on the guest list. Those who have planned a wedding know how "fun" this process is. Cutting & Adding. I still can't blog about it as these are the things that can cause a divorce! After typing most addresses twice for reasons I won't admit to because you will question my IQ... I was so ready to put the guest list / addresses away for awhile... at least for Spring break... but this was not to be....
When I went to order the invites I found out they would actually print the addresses on the envelopes for me. Yea! However, they needed the addresses in Excel & I had them in Word! I had no idea how to import the file so thus I began re-typing all the addresses (yet again) into the correct format! Well over 150 addresses going to over 25 different states, all needing to be completed before the end of the week. As I sit by the computer I comfort myself by munching on Baked Lays, cookies & chocolate covered pretzels! This will only complicate the next item on my list.... finding the mother-of-the bride dress!

Observations of a High School Sub-Young Grandma

Last week in class I was mentioning about my daughters upcoming wedding. I said something to the affect that she would be a young bride (21) That's not too young! Several girls responded. Then they told me the following: "I have an aunt who had a baby at age 12 then that baby then had a baby at age 15...making the Aunt 28 when she became a Grandma." WOW!!!
So in the end I guess it is just perspective....but any way you look at it 28 is way too young to be a Grandma!!!