Tropical Starbursts: Step It Up

Before taking that test on characterization, my students played a brief review game. The prize for the winning group was one Starburst™ each.


Me: "You will win Starbursts, which as we all know are delicious."

Alisha: "Regular or tropical?"

Me: "...regular."

The class groans, a few people shake their heads, and then the room becomes silent. Wanda Bierce, sitting in the front row, looks right at me.

"Step it UP, Mr. Vonn."

It's a gas

Student [Wanda Bierce]: "Hey, Mr. Vonn, you got a quarter?"

Me: "No, sorry, no cash."

Wanda: "You can't rely on teachers for anything!"

Me: "Well, not for money."

The role of the grandmother in Flannery O'Connor's "A Good Man Is Hard To Find"

We are taking a test on characterization in Flannery O'Connor's "A Good Man Is Hard To Find." Shortly before the test, James Rodriguez asks me a question.


James: "Hey Mr. Vonn, what was the name of the man who let the cat out of the basket?"

Me: "Well, the grandmother did."

James: "No, the person who let the cat out."

Me: "Yeah, that was the grandmother."

James: "Aw she did that too? Dumb bitch!"


Pretty sure that's metacognition.

Pray for Mojo

Cliff raises his hand while everyone is quietly taking a test. I walk over to him, but notice he is making eye contact with Richard across the room--trying to communicate something silently. I cop a faux angry expression.


Me: "Ahem. Yes, Cliff?"

Cliff: "Naw, see, go away. You messed up my mojo. Get away."

Static vs. Dynamic

Before a test on character types, I had my students complete a brief review wherein they split into groups to define, explain, and provide examples of definitions. I gave them scratch paper on which to write; here is Troy Jenkins' work:



I love this. I love everything about this. The point here is that LeBron is static because he is consistent (he stays the same), whereas Kobe is dynamic because he is inconsistent (he changes). So, in just two examples, Troy both encapsulated the meanings of static and dynamic character types, and roasted his Kobe-loving classmates.

I feel like writing A + + + + + on the wall of my classroom, a la A Christmas Story.

Too soon?

Banter, courtesy of Cliff and Richard.


Richard: "You know they ain’t supposed to bury Michael Jackson till today?"

Cliff: "Yep."

Richard: "You know what they should do to him?"

Cliff: "Burn him."

Richard: "Yeah! And then turn him into legos so that little kids can play with him!"


This might be too soon, but on the other hand, it don't make no sinse.