The Kid Without Clean Paper

Middle schoolers are generally predictable in their unpredictability. Here's what I mean. You figure out their quirks and patterns by this time in the school year. A newcomer might find it odd that a student in my 5th period communicates primarily in various bird-like squawks and whistles; however, it would take me completely by surprise if I heard Birdboy carry on a conversation comprised of full sentences and absent of squeaks.

Birdboy, however, is not today's topic of discussion. He's predictable in his unpredictability. 

Occasionally, a student comes along who is impossible to peg. Refuses to be pigeon-holed. Would drive the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit to drink.

Meet Exhibit B: We'll call him Mr. Potato Head. His only topics of interest are very specific cartoon characters and very specific foods. Sponge Bob. Oscar the Grouch. Potatoes. Green Beans. It was muffins today. He was the author of the first Get This Kid a Book Deal. Genius right?

But then there's the side that turns this in...

Directions: Write a more descriptive synonym or phrase to improve the word choice in the journal entry.

(on a potato-fixated day, obviously)

Today's persuasive letter is my favorite surprise from Mr. Potato Head thus far, though.

It reads:

Dear Paper Makers,

      My teachers tell me to get a clean sheet of paper, but you only sell them with lines! It says loose-leaf paper, but copy paper is clean! You need to clean off these lines! NOW! (Pleas) (sic).

                                                                         From,

                                                                         The Kid Without Clean Paper, Mr. Potato Head

I guess it's true what they say. There is a fine line between genius and insanity.

Walking the line,

Ms. P