Thursday, March 08, 2007
Mercy
With a class of students who haven't met before I usually open up with a quick game. Simple concept: we each say four things about ourselves, one of which is a lie; the others have to guess which one isn't true.
There are times when I wonder why I bother.
"OK, so my name's Dan, I come from England, I'm a space pilot and I like natto."
My students giggle. One of them raises his hand.
"Yes?"
"You don't like natto."
The high school girl to his right dissolves into laughter. Keeping the now-legendary poker face, I tell him that I do like natto. I manage to do this without including the word "cretin." He looks astonished.
The high school girl composes herself, then raises a hand.
"Yes?"
"Your name is Sam."
There are times when I wonder why I bother.
"OK, so my name's Dan, I come from England, I'm a space pilot and I like natto."
My students giggle. One of them raises his hand.
"Yes?"
"You don't like natto."
The high school girl to his right dissolves into laughter. Keeping the now-legendary poker face, I tell him that I do like natto. I manage to do this without including the word "cretin." He looks astonished.
The high school girl composes herself, then raises a hand.
"Yes?"
"Your name is Sam."
Labels: DULLARDS
