Are You Smarter....

Last week I received an email that our school had been chosen to provide 5th grade students to appear on Jeff Foxworthy's show, "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader." They would make guest cameos to ask bonus viewer questions right before the commercial breaks. Obviously this was extremely exciting news!

I couldn't wait to tell my students the news. With my excitement level at top notch, I could only imagine the in elation when I told them. A little wired from the approaching holiday, I captured their attention when I told them I had big news. I implied that the news was something they would really want to hear. I thought that would be all they needed to calm down. When, in fact, it enticed them to make fun of me. I was bombarded with sarcasm, "Yea, sure! I'm sure you have really exciting news!" I guess this was a taste of my own sarcastic medicine. It would only strengthen the shock of the major news!

When I told those sarcastic little weasels, they went nuts! A wave of insanity made it's way through the classroom as the kids pictured themselves as TV stars. Then, I had to break the news. The only problem in this 5th grade fairy tale. Only four kids from the class could be chosen to do it.  We talked about how we had to be supportive of one another, no matter who was chosen. And, in our fair, democratic classroom, I did what any fair, democratic teacher would do. I drew names out of an elf hat!

The kids were incredibly supportive; cheering and congratulating the four chosen. The kids were given a script this past Friday and were asked to memorize their questions. Today was the big day. The library was set up into a little television set, and the director was there waiting for the kids. There was some discussion among the kids if Jeff Foxworthy would be there, but they decided that he was probably at his home in Florida. How they decided he lives in Florida, I don't know.

Anyways, the big day went well for the kids. Out of my four kids to record, three of them got right in front of that camera and banged out their lines like pros. Maybe because I have the camera on them so often in the classroom (we make a lot of review-type videos).

Then, fully confident that my fourth would  undoubtedly go just as smoothly, she began to nervously wobble to the recording chair. Poor girl stumbled over the cord and pulled down one of the lighting stands. Nothing broken, just a minor setback. Now her nervousness turned into panic. Ten years old, lights shining in your face, with the anticipation of being on a nationally televised program. You really can't blame the kid! She slurred her words through her quivering voice.

As though I had all the power in the world, the girl looked at me with fleeting hope that I would save her from this misery. I smiled at her, held my hands up, and signaled for her to calm down. She didn't take her frightened eyes off me as she took a deep breath and mustered up a smile. Her next take, she nailed it down like an old pro! A proud moment for a teacher.

The filming turned out quite successful. The kids couldn't be happier and with that, I couldn't be happier either. I will be sure to DVR the show and save it forever! Hopefully Jeff will be able to see it too. He can see what a wonderful job I am doing shaping the minds of America's youth!