Roller Rink Fun

I didn't blog about this before, but last Thursday I went to the roller skating rink with my 8th graders and the 8th grade teachers. It was a blast.

We took the metro there (we're near Benning Road station and the rink was near Naylor Road on the green line). The name of the place is Delight Skate N Palace. And the address is 3132 Branch Ave, Temple Hills, MD 20748. The number I found online is 301-630-6150.

So traveling places is the toughest part, but it so cool being near a metro, since there are so many cool places you can go using public transit. Apparently you can even take public transit (metro to Largo Town Center and then a bus) to Six Flags. I feel like you could do a good science trip there and a reward field trip, of course. Anyhow, next year.

But we got the kids to the roller rink safely and we strapped on our skates (most of the teachers joined in on the fun. It was basically pop-hip-hop heaven or hell depending on who you ask. Personally, I've grown accustomed to the inner-city middle school musical selection, so I was into it.

It had been about 10 years since I went roller skating (since around the time I was in middle school as a student myself), so I warmed up a bit outside the rink. But once I got out there, I have to say that roller skating is pretty much like riding a bike. I can't say I was doing tricks or skating backwards, but I held my own. I was proud to not fall once.

The kids had a great time it seemed and it was definitely a good idea - highly recommended. I also enjoyed being able to hang out with some of my fellow teachers.

We got the kids back safely too, without much trouble. I am often amazed at how well behaved my students are outside of the school -generally much better than they are in the school. I was talking about why that may be with a fellow teacher and we thought it could have something to do with how they are not real sure how adults they don't know will react to what they know is bad behavior. Sort of like how students are often very timid the first week or so in your classroom when they're not sure how you'll react to them misbehaving. Anyhow, just a thought.

Maybe they're also just grateful to be out of the building and don't want to mess it up. Anyhow, I've been proud of my students on every field trip I've been on with them.