What We Learned This Week: First Week Edition

Well, we are wrapping up the first week of school here at Shepton, and I have to say that we have had a lot of fun. In fact, I think I can say with a fair amount of certainty that I haven't laughed like this during a first week of school...ever. In the midst of all of the fun, however, I did manage to learn some stuff. Yes, teachers learn at school too - don't think that students get to hog it all. As I reflect on the past week, I present (in no particular order)...

THE TOP 10 THINGS I LEARNED IN MY FIRST WEEK OF HUMANITIES

by Mr. Moore

1. We love us some selfies.

On the first day of school, we played a game called Quest in which teams were given a series of quests to complete. When it came to the quest that asked a team member to bring a previously photographed selfie to the front of the room, it wasn't a matter of if anyone had one...it was a question of which one would be the representative team member AND which selfie they would choose. The struggle is real.

2. Old School Game Shows Need a Comeback

On Day 2, we started working on Game Show Introductions as a way to find a little more out about each other. You remember game show introductions, right? Those pithy, well-crafted blurbs that made contestants seem like the most intriguing person ever? We saw some clips of The Dating Game and Hollywood Squares in all of their 70's glory, and although the teachers in the room dated themselves by being the only people in the room who knew who Farah Fawcett and Paul Lynde were, we all left with dreams of someday being The Secret Square (okay, maybe just me).

3. We love Mac and Cheese

During the day of Game Show Intros, one favorite food stood above the rest: good ol' mac and cheese. I think at least one person in every class singled out this pasta and dairy combo as their go-to meal of choice. 

4. Beliebers Are A Proud Bunch (Well...not so much)

One of our first-day quests was to produce proof of having downloaded a Justin Beieber song. Although there were a handful that were proud to display their cover art, some feigned surprise as they "discovered" a download that must have appeared "because I share an account with my little sister". Don't worry, your secret is safe with us.

5. We Have Spirit, Yes We Do

There  were only a small handful of quests that every single team could complete throughout the entire day. Yes, the selfie was one of them. BUT, I am happy to say, another two quests that achieved 100% success involved possessing an item with our school logo printed on it and knowing the Shepton Fight Song. Throughout the day, teams showed off their pencil bags and t-shirts while sending multiple representatives (mostly of the band persuasion) to perform rousing renditions of our fight song. In one class, we were treated to a full symphonic version, albeit one lacking actual instruments. It was awesome.

6. Humanities Students (and Teachers) Get Around (the World)

During our introductions, we learned that virtually no corner of the world has gone un-visited by our classes. From Central and South America to Europe, East, South, Southwest and Southeast Asia, and Africa, we covered a whole season of The Amazing Race in just one day!

7. Our Hair Is Perfection

Remember the comb you got on picture day? You won't find one in our room. Does your vision of a high school girl involve obsessive Marcia Brady-esque hair brushing? Not here. Although there were a couple scattered throughout the day, the quest that asked for a brush or a comb went largely unfulfilled. 

8. Old MacDonald Has A Very Odd Farm

Students were asked to sing a verse of Old MacDonald, and no repeats were allowed. Aside from learning that Old MacDonald might not be a nursery rhyme that is cool anymore, we learned that Old MacDonald had a super weird farm. In addition to cows and dogs, we also discovered a t-rex, a fish, a hawk, and  a snake in this bizarre menagerie. However, those classes that included a horse were treated to en extra-special performance of the Nae Nae from Miss Havins.

9. No Pet Is Safe

We could apparently fill an entire pet cemetery with the fallen pets of our collective classes. I unknowingly got the ball rolling when I confessed to the accidental death of my pet hamster Hershey in 3rd grade. Hamsters, turtles, gerbils, and beta fish were among the most commonly fallen companions.

10. Everyone Can Wobble, But Nobody Looks Cool Doing It

Eventually, even those teams that did not think they were able to commit to performing the hottest dance craze from several years ago learned that it really is the easiest dance ever. Don't know how to Wobble? Just stand with your feet a little wider than shoulder-distance apart, slightly bend your knees, and bounce while flailing your arms and body like your dentist gave you way too much laughing gas and you are celebrating something monumental. Yes, you'll look totally goofy, but you will soon be having a great time, and so will everyone else. (Instructional video below)

WHAT WILL NEXT WEEK HOLD? STAY TUNED!