Stinky Paper

Today the students were working on some long division problems. I often have the students complete a few problems then check their work with me before they continue their practice. Today was no different and Natalie had just finished her problems and was at my desk to check her answers.

I love joking around with the kids, so when Natalie handed me her paper I said, "Ohhh. Man, this paper really smells!" I of course was completely joking.

Natalie's face showed a slight hint of redness, but a little smile crawled across her face, "Yeah, um, my hands are really sweaty."

Nobody else was at my desk, but I was worried that I had embarrassed her as Natalie is a girl who can be a bit self-conscious.

She took it in stride though continuing with, "It's kinda gross sometimes. I'll be working with my hand on the desk and then there will be this big wet spot."

I was finally able to tell her I was kidding, and that I didn't actually smell anything. She followed this with a slightly flustered sigh, but ended up going to her desk with a big smile on her face.

I will definitely not be smelling any of her papers she hands in.

State of Confusion

The culmination of our year in social studies is the State Project. Each student picks a different state and spends over a month researching, writing, and creating a presentation for that state. The excitement begins right before our spring break when states are chosen.

Each class can only have one student per state so they bring in a "top 10" list of the states they would like to research. I choose names out of a hat, and whoever is picked gets their top choice that hasn't been taken. Every year some students leave early for spring break (because school isn't quite as important as it used to be apparently) so they give their list to another student to keep track for them. Carly gave her list to to Brittany because she was going to be in Florida.

After the first couple of states had been chosen to lots of sighs, groans, and incoherent mumbling, Brittany walked up to me with the classic 'I need some help' look on her face. She whispered, "Mr. Pajak?" I waited for the rest. It took longer than I expected, but finally she said, "Um, is Chicago a state?" I told her that it was a city in Illinois. "Well, Carly has that as one of her choices what should I do?" Aware that the class was ridiculously antsy to get going, I had her just write down Illinois in that spot.

After the next state was chosen, Brittany was back up to talk to me. To keep things moving, I just had her give me Carly's list. I found out why she was confused:

Carly's Top 10 List
1. Texes
2. Alaska
3. Arizono
4. Hatti
5. Florida
6. Woconsin
7. Chicogo
8. N. Dakota
9. Mexico
10. New yourk