Thursday, November 6, 2008
The Problem
Is the problem with me, with competition, or with our society?
3rd grade:
Our class (Mrs. Forrester's class) challenged a 4th grade class to a math competition. The rules were simple. Each class would have a kid do a multiplication problem, and then the other class would go. The contest would last until lunch time, and the class who missed the least number of problems would win.
I know I'm not alone on this one, but I still feel bad about it -- I wanted everyone in their class to fail. I was bummed when they got the problem right. I was nervous when our dumb kids were up to bat. (Harsh, I know, but I'm conveying a memory here, and I was in 3rd grade -- back off!)
I was also intensely nervous when my turn came -- I didn't want to be the dumb kid.
The battle was fierce, the soldiers were fearless, and a draw seemed inevitable. No one had missed a problem, and lunchtime was ticking closer and closer. So now I'm conflicted; on the one hand, we had to determine a winner; on the other hand, we might be having cooked carrots or turkey pitas with mystery yellow sauce for lunch. I really liked them both, but the cooked carrots were something you had to be careful with since only a retard (3rd grade -- back off!) would like cooked carrots.
Then it happened. The problem was 8*7. I don't know her name, and I don't remember what she said, I only remember that she didn't say "56".
My feelings in order:
She got it wrong!
Yes!
Burn on you - we just won!
We are probably the smartest 3rd grade class on earth -- what other 3rd graders could beat 4th graders in times tables -- no other 3rd graders, that's who!
What is she doing?
Oh, crap!
What am I supposed to do when a girl cries?
I feel bad for her.
She probably should have studied harder.
She's probably crying cause everyone in her class hates her now.
I don't think I'm supposed to be happy.
This definitely makes me less happy.
I think I have to play it cool until recess.
Yes, we won -- I mean, I knew we were smart, but . . . that smart? Wow!
I feel really bad for her!
I've heard that you remember 'moments' in your life. I remember that moment, and I still feel really, really bad for her because I bet she remembers that moment, too. I hope she's successful and happy.
Soccer is cool!
3rd grade:
Our class (Mrs. Forrester's class) challenged a 4th grade class to a math competition. The rules were simple. Each class would have a kid do a multiplication problem, and then the other class would go. The contest would last until lunch time, and the class who missed the least number of problems would win.
I know I'm not alone on this one, but I still feel bad about it -- I wanted everyone in their class to fail. I was bummed when they got the problem right. I was nervous when our dumb kids were up to bat. (Harsh, I know, but I'm conveying a memory here, and I was in 3rd grade -- back off!)
I was also intensely nervous when my turn came -- I didn't want to be the dumb kid.
The battle was fierce, the soldiers were fearless, and a draw seemed inevitable. No one had missed a problem, and lunchtime was ticking closer and closer. So now I'm conflicted; on the one hand, we had to determine a winner; on the other hand, we might be having cooked carrots or turkey pitas with mystery yellow sauce for lunch. I really liked them both, but the cooked carrots were something you had to be careful with since only a retard (3rd grade -- back off!) would like cooked carrots.
Then it happened. The problem was 8*7. I don't know her name, and I don't remember what she said, I only remember that she didn't say "56".
My feelings in order:
She got it wrong!
Yes!
Burn on you - we just won!
We are probably the smartest 3rd grade class on earth -- what other 3rd graders could beat 4th graders in times tables -- no other 3rd graders, that's who!
What is she doing?
Oh, crap!
What am I supposed to do when a girl cries?
I feel bad for her.
She probably should have studied harder.
She's probably crying cause everyone in her class hates her now.
I don't think I'm supposed to be happy.
This definitely makes me less happy.
I think I have to play it cool until recess.
Yes, we won -- I mean, I knew we were smart, but . . . that smart? Wow!
I feel really bad for her!
I've heard that you remember 'moments' in your life. I remember that moment, and I still feel really, really bad for her because I bet she remembers that moment, too. I hope she's successful and happy.
Soccer is cool!
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