I sat at my table, sorting through yet another stack of completed assignments while the students in my current hour were working.

Score, record, stack, repeat.

All too often I don’t do this type of work during the school day, thinking it would be easier at home on the couch.  Yet, once I am home, it doesn’t sound like it had been such a grand idea!  So it felt good today to work while they worked.  To leave for the day with everything complete.

I noticed someone approach.

Score, record, stack, glance up.

“Here’s my paper,” he said flicking it forward.

“Thanks!” I smiled as I started a new stack.  He moved behind my chair to go around me and head back toward his seat.  Then he stopped.

“So when’d you get braces?” he asked, intrigued yet mildly disinterested.

I paused and looked at him, uncertain if he was serious.  He was, and I was astounded and amused.  Matching the deadpan tone, but pairing it with a metallic grin I said, “Um…July.”

He broke into his own metallic grin and shaking his head returned to his seat.

Score, record, stack, remember – that just when I think I somewhat understand middle schoolers, they go and pull something like this!

Score, record, stack, smile.

This post was written as part of a monthly challenge sponsored by  Two Writing Teachers, to encourage writing and community.  The goal is to write a Slice of Life entry each day throughout the month of March.