‘Cher! Mobile Apocalypse

The essay topic was “An unforgettable outdoor experience” and the picture was a picnic. To get my 10YO students thinking:

Me: What would you pack for an outing like this?
StudentA: My phone.

In a different class, Me: What kind of games can you play at a picnic?
StudentB: Phone games.

In yet another class, Me: If it rains on your picnic, what’s your backup plan?
StudentC: Go home and play mobile games.

Me: (losing it) Nobody will write about phones! You will all pack your wickerwork baskets with a red and white picnic mat, fluted champagne glasses and baguettes. And you will play badminton and bring a beach ball, so help me God.

StudentD: Cher! I never go for picnic, so how to write?

In my teaching journal, you won’t find tips on how to be a great teacher, as I’m no guru. What you can discover are the woes of real-life children grappling with a modern evil — tuition. 

 

Cher! Chaos

The word “pandemonium” popped up in my worksheet. I proceeded to write out the meaning on the board– “chaos”. My student pipes up:

SW: Char os?
Me: No, it’s pronounced kay ors (keɪɒs)

SW: But, Cher! You said ‘ch’ is always pronounced ‘ch’ (tʃ)

’Cher! My students’ cute errors

My creative writing students occasionally make adorable gaffes. Here’s an example:
I normally discourage my students from tackling death as it is a sensitive topic,