Not quite done.
The seventh graders and I were working on Taxonomy, so after some discussion and notes on why we classify living things, it was time for some basic practice.
I told them that I would supply each group with a mix of molluscs and it would be their job to sort them according to their similarities.
"Be careful observers", I said, "Look for patterns, ridge direction, etc."
"Oh, and whatever you do ... DO NOT DROP THEM ON THE FLOOR!"
"Okay, everybody, repeat after me, I will not drop Mr. FC's shells."
Through 3 periods and 60 kids, not one of them dropped a shell.
Just before the bell rang to end the last class of the day, I was picking up some of the shells.
I reached for a huge Sunray Venus clamshell, bobbled it, and it slipped from my fingers. It hit the tile floor and exploded into a dozen pieces.
I stared.
The kids stared.
"I can't believe that," I said, " All day long I've been warning you guys to be careful and not drop any shells ... and in the end, I'm the one who broke a shell."
The little blonde kid sitting next to the scene of the shell accident spoke up ...
" That's karma Mr. FC."
Oops! Karma is funny like that.
ReplyDeleteAt least you served as a bad example. Heck, the kids probably had so much sympathy for you (I do) that the message of taking proper care was really driven home.
ReplyDeleteFuuuuummmmmmbbbbbllllleeee!!!
ReplyDeleteI just couldn't resist. Knowing how much you love football and all.
Okay... fess up. What bad seeds did you sow to reap a shattered shell?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I had an epiphany yesterday. I finally realized that "FC" stands for Florida Cracker. All this time I figured you were a "Frank Crowe" or a "Frances Chambers" or a "Filmore Chapman."
Or a "Fleenor Creminski." It goes downhill from here.
: )
A fine example of
ReplyDelete"Do as I say - not as I do" LOL
I'm sorry about the shattered shell but I'll be grinning at the idea of the look on their faces all day.
Kharma, huh? Nice one - but probably better that it happened to you than to one of the kids.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Klaus
Gotta say I would have had a good laugh were I in that class...
ReplyDeleteThough I am sorry you lost a shell.
Your next step is to go around chanting, "You will never win the lottery."
ReplyDeleteInstant karma!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great kid. I love that age.
Dani,
ReplyDeleteOops is right!
Pablo,
Let's hope so. I usually try and model appropriate behavior for them.
Billy,
I have to learn more about it now that Knucklehead is playing. Hey, I found out we also play in St. Aug on the the 25th of September at 7:00 pm against FSDB so we'll be there for 2 games.
Susan,
Shortly after starting PF, my wonderful commenters shortened it to FC and I liked it so ... that's me now.
SCMomma,
They do love it when I flub up.
Adds a human aspect to the mean teacher persona.
kjp,
Welcome!
True ... funnier if it's me!
HT,
Humor is very important to good teaching.
Freste,
I like it. Am adopting that philosophy immediately.
Lesle,
Me too. They are such odd ducks at this mid point.
Soooooo....you lost a lovely shell and gained a great story. Isn't blogging grand?
ReplyDeleteSeriously, sorry you broke your shell, but that is quite a tale.
FC-
ReplyDeleteGuess I forgot your name has changed as well as Patience/Mrs FC over the years! Oh well, you know what we will always call you guys..
no not that, knuckleheads! Hope all is well with the family.
Love,
Lightnin
Kids always seem to have a way with words, don't they? All in all, to go through the day with so many kids and so many shells, only having one casualty isn't too bad!
ReplyDeleteHehe, that's always the way it goes...so I guess your name is Earl now.
ReplyDeleteBummer! Living in the land of Kharma over here, or wait Confucious, maybe that's confusion! ;-)
ReplyDeleteVery funny. Sounds like you have a good class this year.
ReplyDelete3C,
ReplyDeleteIt's a laugh a minute in the classroom ...
Lightnin,
Glad the Ikeinator did not flatten you up in Cinn City.
Swampangel,
And you would not believe some of their words!
Swampy,
Oh I am so Earl.
Dave,
Have a Tsingtao and relax buddy.
Doug,
Actually I've had much worse assortments so I will quietly agree.