Can I call you Fire?!

Middle school thoughts - WHAT?!?! The amount of energy these kids have is absolutely amazing. What comes out of their mouths is even more amazing. I recently had a student ask what my name was and when I replied with Miss Burns she asked if she could call me fire.... Thankfully the girl wasn't disappointed when I gave her a flat out no. There was no shame in her game either when she asked if she could call my partner rainbows. I really wonder where these kids get their ideas. The verbal comments weren't half as entertaining as the students’ narratives they were writing. I never realized the amount of kidnapping, blood, and murder middle school students could write about. While helping edit narratives I couldn't help but feel like I was in the middle of a murder mystery series that was never ending. The imagination that these seventh grade students have is INSANE! One narrative I really enjoyed could have been the first chapter of a James Patterson novel. The student made it very clear that he wanted to leave the reader with a cliffhanger. He put so much time with dialogue and describing his setting that his narrative really did come to life when I read it. I told him to make a few minor changes just so the reader doesn't get confused. The student knew why I suggested the changes and was happy that I could help his masterpiece. I do feel it is a bit harder getting to know the students at the middle school because they are so use to their teacher. Here come two complete strangers that want to know what makes them tick for the next four weeks. I can't help but feel a little frustrated going into our second week. I want them to bring their wall down like my high school students did last month. I'm hoping that this changes and they start to feel a little more comfortable with my partner and I.