Set answers to stun

I've been meaning to write about this topic for a few weeks now. I think it's funny how my kids sometimes get stunned and go through a short period in a daze.

This happens most frequently when we are doing something in class that requires the kids to call out answers without raising their hands. For instance, we do something every day that I call Minute Math. I put an overhead transparency up on the board that has about 40 multiplication or division questions on it, and the kids get two minutes to write down the answers to as many as they can. When the two minutes are up, I call out the problems, and the kids call out the answers.

There are, of course, some kids in my class who call out these answers much louder than others. You know the type, I'm sure you have them in your class as well. Sometimes they don't even let me finish the question before yelling out an answer.

"Three time--"

"TWENTY-FOUR!!!!"

So it's always funny when these kids call out the WRONG answer to a question. Because it totally throws them for a loop. I'll say something like, "four times eight," and they'll scream out, "THIRTY-SIX!!!" and I'll calmly say, "thirty-two, "in agreement with the soft-spoken answerers. The effect is like I set off a flash-bang grenade at their feet. Usually, we'll get through at least three more questions before the screeners pick back up where they left off.

During this lull, I'll look up to see what's going on with the screamers, and it's everything you would expect from someone who's been stunned. The dazed expression on their faces, the rapid pupil dilation, the drunken swaying in their seats. It's hilarious!

Just another perk to the job!