Love and Logic Skit

 

Setting: A sixth grade science classroom at the beginning of the school day.

 

(Mrs. Dodson’s first period students are entering the classroom after the first morning bell rings.  She stands by the door in the hallway greeting her students as they enter the classroom.  All students are at their desks working on bell work except for L’Jorian and Michael, who enter the room last.)

 

L’Jorian: (Almost running towards Mrs. Dodson) Mrs. Dodson, Mrs. Dodson!

 

Mrs. Dodson: (With curiosity) Yes, L’Jorian.  What is it?

 

L’Jorian: Guess what we did this weekend.  It was so much fun!  We got to go to Six Flags and ride the brand new ride!  It was so cool you wouldn’t believe it!

 

Mrs. Dodson: Oh!  That’s wonderful.  I’m glad you boys had such a great weekend!  Feel free to tell me more about your trip when you have completed your class work today.  Meanwhile your bell work is waiting.

 

L’Jorian: Okay.

 

(L’Jorian and Michael take their seats and begin their bell work.  The

second bell rings.)

 

Mrs. Dodson: (To the whole class) We will check bell work in one minute. (She sets the timer for one minute.)

 

Sarah: (After raising her hand and receiving permission) Mrs. Dodson, I forgot my calculator in my locker and I need to go get it.

 

Mrs. Dodson: A calculator is not necessary for today’s lesson.

 

Sarah: (Almost whining) But I need it.  Can I go get it, please?

 

Mrs. Dodson: Yes, you may get your calculator during the designated locker break.

 

(The timer rings.)

 

Mrs. Dodson: Okay.  Who would like to read our warm-up question out loud?

 

(Emily eagerly raises her hand and is called on to read the question.)

 

Mrs. Dodson: Thank you, Emily.  Now, who would like to read the list of answers?

 

(Michael, Sarah, Jonathan and Emily all raise their hands.)

 

Mrs. Dodson: Jonathan, please read the answers.

 

Spencer: (Blurting out) Yeah smarty-pants.  Why don’t you read the answers for us?

 

(The class erupts in a very brief burst of laughter.)

 

Mrs. Dodson: (Calmly) Oh, Spencer.  How unfortunate for you to blurt out in class.  I’ll have to do something about that after the lesson today, but try not to worry about it.  Please continue Jonathan.

 

(The warm up discussion concludes and Mrs. Dodson reviews the previous day’s lesson.)

 

Mrs. Dodson: Now that we’ve reviewed what we know about density, break into your lab groups and we will get started on the activity.

 

(The class complies but Sarah and Megan begin whispering back and forth

after they get to their group.)

 

Mrs. Dodson: (Calmly) I’ll be happy to get started when I have everyone’s attention.

 

(The girls don’t seem to hear.)

 

Mrs. Dodson: (Calmly and matter- of- fact like) When groups get started promptly they will have plenty of time to work and therefore will not lose any points for turning in an incomplete assignment. 

 

All other students: (In unison) SHH!

 

(Megan and Sarah quickly look up.)

 

Mrs. Dodson: You will find two sheets of paper in your group’s folder.  The blue sheet is a description of the activity and it should be read first.  The yellow sheet is where you should record your answers.  Remember, I give full credit to groups that write each member’s name on their papers and follow directions.  Please begin.

 

Spencer: Mrs. Dodson, you said we would do something fun today.  This looks stupid.  I’m not wasting my time!

 

Mrs. Dodson: Spencer would you rather be respectful and participate in your group today to receive full credit or complete a book assignment in the hallway for partial credit?

 

Spencer: (Defiantly) Neither!

 

Mrs. Dodson: (Calmly) How unfortunate.  You do have two choices. 

 

Spencer: I don’t want to do either and you can’t make me!

 

Mrs. Dodson: (Calmly) I bet it feels that way.

 

Spencer: How would you know?

 

Mrs. Dodson: (Calmly) I bet it feels that way.

 

Spencer: You just don’t want me to have any fun.

 

Mrs. Dodson: (Calmly) I bet it feels that way.

 

Spencer: (As he writes his name on the group paper he mutters under his breath) Whatever.

 

 

(The class continues.  Spencer works in his group and Mrs. Dodson

addresses his previous behavior after the group work is completed.

L’Jorian gets to tell everyone about his wonderful weekend during the last

45 seconds of class and Sarah finally gets to get her calculator from her

locker when class is dismissed.  And in a perfect love and logic world, the

students realize that they are responsible for their own actions and the

resulting consequences and that Mrs. Dodson really loves them.)

 

The End.