I am, currently, in the last week of teaching my last photo class for the children’s college. With only two more days left to go, I can finally relax and enjoy the rest of my summer vacation with a huge sigh of relief that I survived these hectic two months. During all this “lesson planning,” I managed to jot down a few anecdotes in my journal that were worthy of mention. The following statements are excerpts from my journal.
(My students are from the ages 6-8)
Monday, July 20, 2009
Today was painless. I walked into a class full of timid and well mannered kids. They are the cutest things in the world and I have to frequently supress the urge to pinch their cheeks. Those diversity/sensitivity/sexual harassment classes seminars paid off. The first discussion amongst the little “sprouts” was about death by plane or car crash and which one was less painful. Why are they so morbid? Why are they talking about death? They’re only six-years-old. What are their parents letting them watch?
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Chris, a hyperactive six-year-old, discussed his fascination for Star Wars with me today. We talked about the Death Star and the androids. He has all the Lego versions. I wonder how much that set his parents back? I can’t judge, I had millions of Barbies and vintage furniture for them. I now recognize him as the “scribble-scrabbler.” I’d like to think that he’s just very reminiscent of Jackson Pollock at an early age. Maybe not. He wrote on the tables and it’s not coming off. FAIL kid, FAIL. Gavin, my blonde haired seven-year-old, stuck his index finger up to my face today to show me his “bump.” He said that the doctors had recently “stuck a big neeeeeedle in it and yellow stuffs came out.” “Wow,” I said. “You must be a super hero because only super heroes are that brave!” “I am,” he replied. Another incident where I had to resist the urge to pinch his cute little cheeks.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
We made 3-D pictures in class today. These kids were less hyperactive yesterday. What happened overnight? What do their parents feed them? Seena, the raven-haired boy with curly locks, has been labeled the “tattle tale” and no one will sit by him. He also says very violent things like “I will print this picture in negative filter to scare my brother and punch him til he bleeds.” Shocking, I know. I registered his mother and remember strongly disliking her. She’s abrasive and rude. I cringe at the sound of her voice. I fear for what her kid will become. Clearly there are issues at home. Who’s raising who here? Actually, who’s NOT being raised? That’s more like the profound question of the day.
It’s a sweet and sour experience but I still love this last class. Summer don’t leave!!!!
Hope your summer is as equally “interesting.”
Love, Peace, and Photographs!
-Ari
