I think the one thing I remembered the most was that Ms. Bower had hairy arms. Hair I had never seen before. But she was nice, so I guess all was forgiven. We received a standard issue pen from the school district. It was green and ribbed to insure we would grasp the pen properly. I don't know where I heard this, I guess a parental conversation, that my name was Sophia Yvonne Van Coevorden. I was so intrigued with the Sophia. Until then, I never knew I had another name. I had always been called either by my middle or nickname thereof.
I remember writing an essay and used my new found first name, Sophia, and used it on my paper.
The next day we get the paper back. My fourth grade teacher said I had to make up my mind; Sophia or Yvonne. She had no idea what an impact that would have on the rest of my life. I was so mesmerized with the name Sophia and the thought that their had been a grandmother out there who I never met was so exciting. I chose Sophia, and it stuck. Wow, something so little could be so monumental. It made me realize today that even the smallest thing could have an impact on any of my students.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Fourth Grade
Ugh, we had Mr. Morris the second semester in fourth grade. We all knew he was an ogre. I certainly did not want that kind of discipline. Mr. Morris did not take long to tell us that his children went to bed at 7:30 pm. We all thought it was horrible. Of course, we never knew their ages. Mr. Morris in my eyes was Mr. Scrooch. He wore glasses, with peppered hair. We could only endure and hope things would be different next year.
And then there was Michael Peroni. Rememberl, I was still learning the language. Michael Peroni was very tall. He flunked a few times. He would probably be place in Special ED. Michel Peroni one day hung around the fence to get the kickball. He taught me the "F" word. I did not know what it meant. It was repeated often. I scratched it in the top of the fence and Michael reassured me that I was spelling it correctly. A new found word.
One day, Mr. Morris asked that of all people I would pick up the dictionaries. I come to Michael's desk to pick it up and sure enough, he wouldn't give it to me. I ask him again with no result. So I decide to use my newly acquired vocabulary word,"F" on him to give the book. Off he goes to Mr. Morris to tell him used the "F" word. Mr. Morris would have nothing of it. I told him I am sorry. He took me by the ear, left the class unattended, and marched me to the office to Ms. Green.
She, too, was alarmed to hear what I had said. I still didn't know. She wrote a letter to my father and what I had said. It was a time that students took their letters honestly to their parents. My father had to explain to my mother what I had said. I'm not sure even he knew what I had said, especially since he did not cuss himself.
Since then, I kept my distance from Mr. Peroni. He disappeared just like he had entered the classroom. I was glad.
And then there was Michael Peroni. Rememberl, I was still learning the language. Michael Peroni was very tall. He flunked a few times. He would probably be place in Special ED. Michel Peroni one day hung around the fence to get the kickball. He taught me the "F" word. I did not know what it meant. It was repeated often. I scratched it in the top of the fence and Michael reassured me that I was spelling it correctly. A new found word.
One day, Mr. Morris asked that of all people I would pick up the dictionaries. I come to Michael's desk to pick it up and sure enough, he wouldn't give it to me. I ask him again with no result. So I decide to use my newly acquired vocabulary word,"F" on him to give the book. Off he goes to Mr. Morris to tell him used the "F" word. Mr. Morris would have nothing of it. I told him I am sorry. He took me by the ear, left the class unattended, and marched me to the office to Ms. Green.
She, too, was alarmed to hear what I had said. I still didn't know. She wrote a letter to my father and what I had said. It was a time that students took their letters honestly to their parents. My father had to explain to my mother what I had said. I'm not sure even he knew what I had said, especially since he did not cuss himself.
Since then, I kept my distance from Mr. Peroni. He disappeared just like he had entered the classroom. I was glad.
Fifth grade
A lot happened then. I finally got my first wooden shoes from Holland. I made sure I wore them for at least a day. They made a lot of noise on the marble floor. My class was on the second story.
I was fortunate enough to have Ms. Becerra, who drove an older Mercedes Benz to work. She was a sweetheart. How could she ever put up with me. She taught us Spanish, although not on the curriculum. I loved it. I always got in trouble because I had the last word in everything. I was naughty and found way to get out of it. Just don't show up. She would have a spelling Bee, which I won. We had to spell accommodation as the final word. We played musical instruments. I figured out how to play the zither and led the class. I loved it. I copied the article from the store-bought encyclopedia. The topic was sea amonities. Whatever. I won. Probably no one else put in their chance to win. The price...Get to lead the =school to the Pledge of Allegiance for a week. The flagpole was outside. To me, it was a big deal, at the time. I wouldn't be caught dead today.
I was in a quite advanced fifth grade. A few of us were sent to GATE classes sometime. Among others were Rita Hovakimimian, (my best frend, Irving Lee (who I had a crush on, and Stanley, whose father was a Captain in SFFD. It was a great year, especially compared to the year before.
I was fortunate enough to have Ms. Becerra, who drove an older Mercedes Benz to work. She was a sweetheart. How could she ever put up with me. She taught us Spanish, although not on the curriculum. I loved it. I always got in trouble because I had the last word in everything. I was naughty and found way to get out of it. Just don't show up. She would have a spelling Bee, which I won. We had to spell accommodation as the final word. We played musical instruments. I figured out how to play the zither and led the class. I loved it. I copied the article from the store-bought encyclopedia. The topic was sea amonities. Whatever. I won. Probably no one else put in their chance to win. The price...Get to lead the =school to the Pledge of Allegiance for a week. The flagpole was outside. To me, it was a big deal, at the time. I wouldn't be caught dead today.
I was in a quite advanced fifth grade. A few of us were sent to GATE classes sometime. Among others were Rita Hovakimimian, (my best frend, Irving Lee (who I had a crush on, and Stanley, whose father was a Captain in SFFD. It was a great year, especially compared to the year before.
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