Teacher Flashback #1
[These random teacher flashbacks are moments or seconds when nothing but sheer raw emotion exists.]
Looking back over some of my notes, I had forgotten how pissed I could get at kids when they were in fact being kids. He/She that says s/he has always studied for every test is a complete liar, and should have his/her tongue pierced with a rusty nail. Shit happens, it’s understandable completely. Unless for that person who always has a stick up their butt, upon which shit would not happen.
One of the first quizzes that I gave was on the first few pages of Daniel Keyes “Flowers for Algernon.” I announced it about a week or so (give or take) in advance. Part of this was because I had factored in spending a day or two on the opening Prologue, which is drawn from Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave.” I wanted to get the children’s’ feet a little wet and not let Keyes’ implicit inclusion of an ‘allegory‘ miss them. It was also a great way to tie in and introduce the literary device, foreshadowing.
But then comes question 19 on my quiz…
19. Who is the author of “The Republic” and “The Allegory of the Cave?”
A. Plato B. Daniel Keyes C. Charles Gordon D. Huckleberry Finn.
Words alone could not draw a visual image to what I would like to do to each and every child who chose Huckleberry Finn. I understand the detractor is there well to detract you from the right answer, but c’mon!
For the last time, any child whomsoever happens to have placed “D. Huckleberry Finn” in the slot next to number 19, well you deserve to be the last person picked in gym class, and if the other kids tell you that you can’t sit at the lunch table with them, well, suck it up.
