Almost every morning when I walk into school someone asks me to do something. Usually it's simple like, "Could you get me a sample of some student work?" or "Could you grab the label maker for me?" Sure, no problem. Today, MFP and I were asked to chaperon the 3-8 grade skate party for students who made their magazine sale goals.
As we pulled up to the decrepit building labeled "Roller Skating," in what the mom I was riding with called the "not as nice" part of town, I started to regret the fact that I didn't wear shoes with socks today, but only a little. I laced skates and clipped roller blades as tight as I could. Then I watched (read: cringed) as my students haphazardly made their way around the rink. Just as they started to improve, another mom walked through the door. Socks. She had gone and bought socks for MFP and me. I knew then that there was no getting out of putting on my uncoordinated show. After showing off my sick rollerblading skills for a while, a couples skate started. At first I questioned it, wondering if a couples skate was entirely appropriate for mainly elementary school students, but a quick glance across the rink assured me it wouldn't be a problem. Friends paired up with friends. A few older boys were helping younger students skate across the floor. Everything was platonic, except for two pairs. Two sixth grade boys had paired up with two sixth grade girls. Now, I only had two options. Get in a huff about it, or enjoy the show... and what a show it was.
They skated around until the song ended and lights came back up, then quickly parted. It was, in short, hilarious. Later, as I stood watching students request songs, one of those boys came up to the music booth. "Can I request another couples skate?" Bingo. All of my questions were answered. Of course they wouldn't have simply done a couples skate for a bunch of young kids. It was requested. The man running the music looked at the students and said, "Sorry, I don't think we have time for another couples skate." The young boy turned to leave, crestfallen. Then the worker called him back, "If you want to skate with her that bad, just go grab her hand. No one will notice. Well, hopefully she will, but no one else."
Romance at the skating rink.
In other news, my fifth graders are creating characters for a novel assessment. The winners so far in my book are Rusty Steve, a rusted knight stuck in his armor, and Crotchety the Elf, an angry old elf who eats children. Perfect.
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