It's a National Law ...

I love teaching 7th grade. There's just something ... a combination of child and zoo animal with hormonal issues? ... about them. They make me laugh -- which is important; and I have found I can make them laugh too. And lest you think we just sit around smoking cigars, writing comedy routines and rolling in the floor, while we're doing all this laughing -- we are also learning. It isn't just funny for the sake of being funny ... it's funny that is derived from a comment someone makes, someone else's response, or misunderstanding, or facial expression.

Example: One year I had to be out every few weeks to attend workshops by the District. After three absences one student pointed out, in class, "Mrs. Murphree, you sure have been gone a lot." To which I replied, with no facial expression, "Yes, and if you've noticed my absences coincide with the full moon. I think it's time to share with you that I am a werewolf." What I expected was a room of students laughing and saying I'm crazy ... what I got was silent stares .... and one brave soul in the back of the room...."ReALLY?" ....

It's a good thing I was stunned enough to keep my thoughts to myself, but another student saved me by spinning around in her seat and setting him straight. "Are you KIDDING! She's being SARCASTIC! Gaaaa!" I appreciated her appreciation of my appreciation of sarcasm. And for the record, contrary to the belief of many educators, I feel there iS a place for (lighthearted) sarcasm in the classroom. I teach language arts ... how will these students be future successful authors, playwrites, newspaper moguls, street entertainers without the sarcasm foundation laid in their 7th grade class when Mrs. Murphree has them totally convinced it is a National Law enacted in the 1800's that all schools must serve hamburgers on Friday. They are destined for failure if not informed about the Amendments added throughout the years allowing the addition of cheese, or the controversial legal battles over the substitution of chicken for beef.

In the olden days (the 1970's) we could purchase a Coca-Cola from the machine right outside the cafeteria to have with our requisite hamburger meal, french fries (really fried), and a big peanut butter cookie). I'm planning to write up a legal-looking document which states that all schools are required by law to serve hamburgers and cheeseburgers on Fridays forevermore, as long as we both shall live amen. Schools cited for nonconformist behavior may be charged a hefty fine which will result in budget cuts, leading to a full diet of gruel for all students and staff.

Oh, by the way -- I usually bring my own lunch on Friday. None of this applies to me. :)