::snerk::
For English, we were practicing coming up with arguments to prove the thesis statement "Books are valuable 'cause they let you experience things you wouldn't otherwise". (Er, it was phrased differently. >.>) And I bring quotes!
[Talking about The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck]
Dayna: I mean, we're not homeless farmers, and we didn't live during the Great Depression, and none of us have ever breastfed old men in barns--
Ms. S.: I should hope not. ::headdesk:: (Yes, she literally and truly headdesked):: You'd actually put that in your essay?
Dayna: Sure.
Ms. S.: I can just see it. They're grading the exams, and someone else in the department says, "Hey, Sarah, one of your kids seems to think that the point of Grapes of Wrath is breastfeeding. Great job teaching them!" Please, no.
[Talking about My Ántonia, by Willa Cather]
Ms. S.: You all read My Ántonia, right?
Boy whose name I don't know but which might be Nick*: I know I did. ::smug look::
Ms. S.: ::groan:: Let me rephrase. You four boys were all in the group that was supposed to read My Ántonia?
Boys:
Ms. S.: Fabulous.
Possibly-Nick: ...and there's imagery, and I'm sure there's alliteration somewhere--
Ms. S.: STOP!
* Yes, I know it's beyond pathetic that after the entire year in class with this kid I still don't remember his name. Hush.
[Talking about the introduction]
Liz: ...books transport you--
Ms. S.: Oo, "transport".
Liz: ::beams::
[Later]
Ms. S.: Okay, and your group gave a really different interpretation by talking about how books take you to different places--
Liz: Write down "transport".
Ms. S.: I did.
Liz: Put a heart next to it.
Ms. S.: ... ::writes something:: I "heart" you all, wooo!
Ms. S. reminds me of Kit (
kandybar).
Ooh, and there was one more thing yesterday, on some topic I can't remember:
Possibly-Nick: Well, I thought of using To Kill a Mockingbird as the second book--
Ms. S.: Fabulous. ::writes "Scout" on board::
Possibly-Nick: ::silence::
Ms. S.: ::turns around:: You were thinking of using Scout, right? Or weren't you?
Possibly-Nick: Well, I can't actually remember anything about the book...
Ms. S.: ::leans head against the blackboard, then turns back around:: Okay, listen to me, because this is really important. DO NOT, under ANY circumstances, use a book that you can't remember for this test. Find another book. You need to be able to discuss plot, characterization, literary elements - all of those, or any of 'em. ::turns to possibly-Nick:: Do you remember who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird?
Possibly-Nick: Uhh...
Me: ::raises hand:: Mary Harper Lee!
Ms. S.: ::nods in my direction:: And never, EVER, EVER write about a book if you can't remember both title and author. "That one book with the dude" is not going to be acceptable.
[Talking about The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck]
Dayna: I mean, we're not homeless farmers, and we didn't live during the Great Depression, and none of us have ever breastfed old men in barns--
Ms. S.: I should hope not. ::headdesk:: (Yes, she literally and truly headdesked):: You'd actually put that in your essay?
Dayna: Sure.
Ms. S.: I can just see it. They're grading the exams, and someone else in the department says, "Hey, Sarah, one of your kids seems to think that the point of Grapes of Wrath is breastfeeding. Great job teaching them!" Please, no.
[Talking about My Ántonia, by Willa Cather]
Ms. S.: You all read My Ántonia, right?
Boy whose name I don't know but which might be Nick*: I know I did. ::smug look::
Ms. S.: ::groan:: Let me rephrase. You four boys were all in the group that was supposed to read My Ántonia?
Boys:
Ms. S.: Fabulous.
Possibly-Nick: ...and there's imagery, and I'm sure there's alliteration somewhere--
Ms. S.: STOP!
* Yes, I know it's beyond pathetic that after the entire year in class with this kid I still don't remember his name. Hush.
[Talking about the introduction]
Liz: ...books transport you--
Ms. S.: Oo, "transport".
Liz: ::beams::
[Later]
Ms. S.: Okay, and your group gave a really different interpretation by talking about how books take you to different places--
Liz: Write down "transport".
Ms. S.: I did.
Liz: Put a heart next to it.
Ms. S.: ... ::writes something:: I "heart" you all, wooo!
Ms. S. reminds me of Kit (
kandybar).
Ooh, and there was one more thing yesterday, on some topic I can't remember:
Possibly-Nick: Well, I thought of using To Kill a Mockingbird as the second book--
Ms. S.: Fabulous. ::writes "Scout" on board::
Possibly-Nick: ::silence::
Ms. S.: ::turns around:: You were thinking of using Scout, right? Or weren't you?
Possibly-Nick: Well, I can't actually remember anything about the book...
Ms. S.: ::leans head against the blackboard, then turns back around:: Okay, listen to me, because this is really important. DO NOT, under ANY circumstances, use a book that you can't remember for this test. Find another book. You need to be able to discuss plot, characterization, literary elements - all of those, or any of 'em. ::turns to possibly-Nick:: Do you remember who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird?
Possibly-Nick: Uhh...
Me: ::raises hand:: Mary Harper Lee!
Ms. S.: ::nods in my direction:: And never, EVER, EVER write about a book if you can't remember both title and author. "That one book with the dude" is not going to be acceptable.