Something Old Something New

Fourth term started this week, which has two contradictory effects on both my students and me.  First, it makes us tired, grumpy, and lazy.  We don't want to be in school anymore.  Some of my students don't want to be in my class anymore, and some of me wants some of them at least a hundred miles away.  We've been in school for seven long months, the weather's getting nice outside, and the last thing any of us wants to do is be inside pretending we care.

On the other hand, the sap's rising, buds are beginning to break open, and we are beginning brand new topics of study.  The beginning of a new term means that the same old book they've gotten sick of is over, and that something new and possibly fun has begun.  It means that spring break is almost here (I leave one week from tomorrow!), it means that they have gotten through the worst of it.  It means it's time to shake off the winter blues and start coming alive.  

So that leaves us in a classroom, learning about mythology or materialism, and trying to have as much fun as possible so we don't go crazy.  Except for one class.  One class apparently thinks it's still January.  They never say a word.  They never complain, they never argue with me, they don't even react when I say all sorts of shocking things (My class should be called "English:  Miss E. Says a Series of Shocking Things for 9 Months Straight").  What room of sane 13-year-olds stays nearly silent when their teacher says something like, "And then she had a son, Uranus, and then they got married!!!"?  Maybe I'm just teaching a room full of child shaped mushrooms.  Maybe they're all just really good kids who don't talk out much.   

Maybe I'm not as funny, or shocking, or witty, or entertaining as I think I am.  Maybe I'm boring.  Maybe I'm that one teacher who thinks she's funny and entertaining, but isn't.  

Maybe I need chocolate.