Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Flash fiction

This is somewhat fiction.  This is based off "Girl" and is inspired (and mostly lifted) from directions I give my fourth graders throughout the day.  It's rough and barely has the subtlety that "Girl" but it's mostly what happens.


Sit down. Be quiet. No more talking.  In your own desks, please.  No get off your desk—you know I meant chair.  Use your brain. Don’t be smart.  Okay, we won’t be. Stay focused—don’t get off topic. Don’t talk to your neighbors.  These are all skills you will need when you’re older.  Tell him to be quiet.  You need to learn to work together and be nice to each other.  I’m nice to people I don’t like all the time.  Be like me.  Clean up the area around your desks, we’ll get mice again.  Show me you’re ready to go to lunch.  Line up boys and girls.  It’s just a line. But he cut me! It’s just a line.  Walk with me.  Stop at the end of the hall.  Keep walking. Stop. Eat lunch. Line up.  Walk quietly down the hall. Start recess.  Use your own markers for the board if you want to draw on it.  Respect each other.  Don’t help people play checkers.  You’re obviously bothering them.  Listen to someone when they ask you to stop.  Clean up.  Sit down.  Take out your work. Take out your work. Take out your work.  Eyes on me.  Ears open.  This is why this answer is right.  Agree? Agreed.  Start your homework.  Be less noisy.  Desks up. I mean chairs on desks.  Line up. Hats off until outside.  Put your hat on.  Good bye.

1 comment:

  1. I love the way you used short, clipped sentences to capture the effect of a teacher trying to be heard over a group of fourth graders. You gave us the entire class period in one paragraph!

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