Today we reviewed compare/contrast essays today because for their monthly reading project, students have to write an essay comparing an aspect of their books to something else. I gave students several thing that they could compare, but I still had a couple of students ask if they could compare things other than what I was offering. Although some of them had good ideas, such as comparing two characters in the book, I asked them to stick to the seven possible comparisons I offered.
One student asked if he could do a different comparison that was not as brilliant:
"Could I compare the paperback to the hardback?"
I took a deep breath before I made my snide remark. I looked toward the back of the room where there was a parent volunteer and bit my tongue from delivering the thoughts that instantly popped into my head: "No, you #?#*$ idiot!"
Instead, I smiled at the student and said, "No, let's just stick to the options I've given you. But, do you think you would have much to compare between the paperback and hardback?"
Behind the student, his classmates rolling their eyes.
He answered, "Well, I guess not."
"And why is that?" I asked.
He looked a little stumped.
"Because it's the same book, right?" I prompted.
A light bulb went off above his head, "Oh yeah!"
(Face palm by teacher.)
2 comments:
Great story! I think that you should have made the student do that comparison---I'd much rather a paper back in the tub.
ROFL! That just made my day.
Post a Comment