On Vocabulary....

Me:  "So, on your vocab quiz on Friday, you'll have to spell the word and know the definition and context."

General Student Outcry: "What?!! We have to SPELL the word? This is a spelling test?"

Me:  "Why would I have you learn a vocabulary word and then not care if you know how to spell it?"

George:  "We never had to spell the words last year. We had a word bank."

Me: "Well, my class is awesome. I don't know what else to tell you. You're going to learn how to spell the words. Otherwise, all of this would be useless."

Bo: "Vocabulary is useless."

Me: (outraged shock)

Me: (throw a pencil at Bo) "Vocabulary is NOT useless! It is the foundation on which our communication is built! It is what lets you speak every day!"

Bo: "Ms. Sefcik, you stabbed me in the arm!"

Me: "Oh, you're fine."

Bo: "I have a tiny pencil mark on my arm."

Me: "And let that remind you of the importance of vocabulary."