Quotable Quotes

So, I entered the real world again today. I have to say, I enjoyed IHOP more, but hey, IHOP doesn't pay the bills, so I guess I'll join the real world again. :-)

I have a couple quotes I want to share from last week. In the world of teaching, there is always a story to share!

I have a new kid with Autism. He is a jewel. I really like him. He is very soft spoken, and genuinely nice. I am still getting to know him though. Each child with Autism has his or her own little quirks. My new kid, Ralph, takes everything literally. This is something I learned last Thursday during a math lesson.

I was teaching the kids about money, and how to line up decimal points on their papers. So, as I was teaching this skill, I used the kids in each scenario to make it more relevant to him.

So I chose Ralph. And I opened a can of worms by doing so...

Me: Ralph, today is your Birthday and you got $18 from Aunt Susie.
Ralph: But I don't have an Aunt Susie.
Me: It's okay, pretend you do.
Ralph: Ok.
Me: So your Aunt gives you $18, and I give you $12.
(To which Goofball says, will you give me $12? I just gave Goofball the evil stare.)
Me: So how much money do you have now?
The class then all figures the answer. Ralph looks down at his paper, figures it, and looks as me.
Me: So, how much did you get for your Birthday, Ralph?
Ralph: $30
Me: That's right! So, Ralph, what would you buy with $30 of Birthday Money?
Ralph: Well, I would buy something I can't have anymore.
Now at this moment I'm thinking, a Video Game, a movie, something along those lines. His answer caught me off-guard...
Ralph: PEDIASURE!

Welcome to the world of Autism. They definately live in their own little world...
Not to mention that the rest of the day he thought it was his Birthday. Our Autism teacher came down to me and asked me later in the day if it was Ralph's Birthday. Yeah, I just looked at her and said, "Well, you see, I opened that can of worms..." And after I told the story she replied with, "Well, he's telling the teachers and all the kids it's his Birthday today."

All because I wanted to include him in my lesson...

Next time, I'll be a lot more careful with what I ask him.

And, you know what?

I still think I have the best job on the planet.

Go figure...