Today was the beginning of the MacArthur Book Fair at MacArthur Middle. J and I have agreed to help the librarian, as she needs some volunteers (and we have no life). Let me just tell you about some insight I gained today....
THINGS I LEARNED TODAY (In no particular order):
1. Kids cannot find the prices on books: No matter how plainly printed on the label, a student will be unable to locate the price. Is it because they cannot believe what they see or is it that they are hoping for a discount? I figure it is like the "Dictionary Game" teachers can play. "Ms. Wenzel... the word isn't in the dictionary!!!" "Well, John... I'll bet you a Twinkie at lunch I can find it in 30 seconds or less!" I always win that game! Just as it takes me only mere seconds to find the price of a book. Is this a lost art?
2. Parents should have to come pay for their children's books. Why, you may ask? I saw at least 3 kids today use all their lunch money... on pencils. Teenagers are no more responsible than a kindergartener when it comes to the concept of no book fair items or lunch. DUH!!!
3. Handing your child $25/$50 to buy books is not a substitute for love. I quote, "My mom was soooo busy this weekend. I tried to talk with her about the book fair and she just shoved $50 at me. I'm gonna use some of it here (at the book fair) and treat you to pizza at lunch." I assure you, Mom and Dad, the kid did not buy anything worthy of your money. She bought a crudload of pencils, a poster, a couple of iffy books and treated 5 of her closest friends to lunch.
4. When did parents get so dumb??? More than one child had their parent's credit cards and a note stating they could use it to buy books. I think I need to say nothing more in regards to that one.
5. If you let a kid wear a jacket... shoplifting will occur. Once again... nothing more needs to be said.
6. Your pants can double as a shopping cart: I knew my pants were big and all. But, I never realized the hidden potential in shoving Scholastic books down my pants. I could have had the world's largest supply of overpriced kids books!
7. No matter how many times kids count their money, they rarely can tell you how much money they are going to need at checkout. Nuff said!
8. No matter how many times a person counts money... interest does not occur during that time. No matter the wish... the money does not multiply, gain interest, or appear by chance. It seems that many middle schoolers still believe this to be a sound practice... no matter how many times this does not happen to them.
9. Being short on money... it used to be something you could be ashamed of! No biggy! Just look confused... everything works out in the end.
10. When in doubt, rip off the tag!!! No one will ever notice! NOT!!!!!
Hope you learned from my experience. Can't wait for day two!!!
