Rorschach v. 8th graders

We are reading Flowers for Algernon in class. Charlie (the main character) is subjected to many different tests including the Rorschach Inkblot Test. I thought that it would be a great idea for the students to make their own inkblots and then make up a story about what they see. Sounds great, right? I gave each student white paper, they folded it down the middle, and I went around with black paint. A few drops on the paper, they fold it back over and "rub" the paint, open and voila you have an inkblot. My first class does pretty well... the whole "rub" the paper thing was a little too much for them, as it was for my second hour class. However in second hour, one poor girl opens her paper and what to our eyes appear.... a piece of the male anatomy! Oh yes! The class was in hysterics. You would think that a real live naked person had just walked into the room. AND then... when I told them that they would have to write a story about their inkblot...again the class rolls with laughter.
Hormones... really they provide so much day to day entertainment.

I survived the first TWO days!

Two days into the week, and there (thankfully) have been no castastrophes. WOO HOO
The schedule is pretty messed up because of mounds of paperwork, schedule changes, and generally just trying to get everyone where they are supposed to be. I can't wait until I can actually focus on teaching English, and not doing the latest warm body count. :o)

What a little Elbow grease can do!

Well... After a couple of weeks, my room finally looks like a classroom. Don't worry... all of those boxes are not mine. My room was lucky to become the storage room for teachers transfering to the school. As a new teacher I would never have THAT much stuff to put in the room.

So this my room now. The desks are facing each other for now... it gives me a little runway to walk down. It might not stay that way forever but for now it will be easier to learn kids names if they are in assigned seats and in rows. I teach 8th grade English. Its my first year and I am a little nervous. I wanted to make my room fun but not in a childish way, I mean we are working with kids in the 8th grade... to them they are practically adults. We'll see.... I let you know if they say anything. According to the rest of the teachers on my team... I do have a pretty fantastic room!