"Get a dictionary"

...and sometimes, they're crazy smart, too.

Here's how the first five minutes of one my classes went today-- I'm changing the names of the players, of course, and imagine this conversation going really, really fast:

Me: Alright everybody, take a seat. TAKE A SEAT. Please take out four sheets of paper.

Kevin: Four sheets of... hey, wait. [notices projector screen, which tells him that he is taking a practice writing assessment today] WHAT? NO. Mrs. Swaney, I can't handle this today. You didn't tell us this was happening.

Me: Kevin, take a seat; you'll be fine.

Kevin: No, you don't understand. I have test anxiety. I'm about to pass out [I should mention that this child is never anxious about anything] Look. I'm shaking.

Me: Then it was a gift to you. Me not telling you saved you hours and hours of anxiety. Take a seat.

Kevin: [standing, arms overhead] This helps me breathe. I'ma close my eyes and breathe deep.

Me: Are you familiar with the word "histrionics"?

Kevin: histor--what?

Anne: What does that mean?

Me: [to Anne] There's a dictionary on your table-- look it up. You'll like it.

Kevin: [to himself] Just breathe, just breathe.

Anne: "Histrionics"...here it is: Histrionics. Dramatic representation; theatricals; acting. Behavior or speech for effect, as insincere or exaggerated expression of an emotion; dramatics; operatics. [laughter]

Joey: Kevin's a drama queen.



Yeah, Joey got a Patriot Point for that one :)