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My humorous thoughts about life.

"My Humorous and Helpful Thoughts About Teaching / Educational Resources for Your Classroom / Music and Random Fun"

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Silly Sunday: The Monkey Whisperer


One of my fifth graders made me this delightful, little sign that proudly hangs in my classroom. Like everything else, there is a story behind it; and yes, it's silly enough for a Sunday.

I started this school year with a fabulous tale about how I spent my summer vacation. Okay, it wasn't really what I did over my months off because kids don't want to hear about their teacher laying around the house after surgery. Instead, I told a stunning lie about my trip to Africa with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. 

To make my story believable, I began by showing the kids a picture of young Brad Pitt in my University of Missouri yearbook. Once I had the logical reason of how I know him, I spoke about how Brad and Angelina wanted a pet monkey for their many kids. Furthermore, since I speak to monkeys, they wanted my help with this endeavor. 

To add interest to the story, I did my monkey imitation, which is quite good if I do say so myself. "Hoo, ha, ha, ha, ha." After I talked a monkey out of attacking Angelina, she invited me to California to act in her movie, Jane's Journey, about Jane Goodall the monkey lady.

My great, great, great, great, great, great, great whatever

My students' mouths dropped as they said, "Really?"

I said, "No, but it was a fun story, wasn't it?" 

This led into a writing prompt about "the summer you wish you had," which is a lot better than the boring, "Write about your summer vacation."

In conclusion, the kids have dubbed me a monkey whisperer, and thus the sign. ☺


13 comments:

Patricia J. Weaver said...

how cool... you tell the best stories

shelly said...

That is so cute. Great monkey pic, too.

Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly

http://secondhandshoesnovel.blogspot.com/

PK HREZO said...

Hey Joyce! That is too cute!! And you really went to school with Brad? That is such a fun conversation starter. I bet the kids really got into the spirit after that story.

mail4rosey said...

What a great way to get the creative juices flowing! Fifth grade is a fun age to teach. I bet they had fun w/the paper.

carol l mckenna said...

fun photos and imaginative writing ~ enjoy ~ (A Creative Harbor)

Thanks for coming by ^_^

Wayne W Smith said...

That was an enjoyable story...It showed some great imagination that I bet the kid ate up.

Sandee said...

I think that was very clever and most of all fun. Good thinking.

Have a terrific Silly Sunday. :)

Unknown said...

Funny! Loved: "My great, great, great, great, great, great, great whatever"

stevebethere said...

I agree that was clever and it made me laugh heheh!

I apologise for being a day late, have a good week you monkey whisperer you :-)

Goddess said...

What a great idea! Entertain the kids and get them interested, then encourage them to use their imaginations rather than forcing them to write an essay that always leaves some children feeling embarrassed or disappointed. (I never had much of a summer vacation because we didn't have much money, so hearing of others' travels and adventures always just left me sad.)

eastcoastlife said...

The story is so cool! I am curious what the kids wrote after hearing your story.
You went to school with Brad Pitt!? Wow.

Binky said...

"The summer you wish you had" is certainly a lot more fun and inspired that the usual subjects. Too bad more teachers don't have your imagination.

Unknown said...

Very cool. I wish my kids had a teacher like you.

Kathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com