Or start with Scene 1 at
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On Tuesday in second period, Ruben and Elijah, who had been absent Monday, came to class tardy and without admit slips.
"Stop right there," I said as they walked past my desk.
"Why? I didn't do anything," Ruben said.
"You do not get in this classroom without an absence slip and a tardy slip from attendance. Go get both."
"Give me a break, Mr. Lofthouse. I'll bring it tomorrow."
Give them an inch, and they’ll take ten miles, I thought. "No breaks,” I said. “Go to the main office for the admit slip and the tardy slip, and do it now."
Elijah had not said a word, and he was already walking out the door on his way to the office—I hoped.
Ruben started to open his mouth.
"One more word out of you, and you’ll earn an after-school detention to be served tomorrow," I said, and Ruben turned on his heal and followed Elijah.
When Ruben returned with his two slips and learned I’d marked him tardy for being tardy, he protested. "What? It wasn't my fault that my parents didn't call in and excuse my absence."
"Ruben, it's no big deal. The first two tardies are warnings. You don't start earning detentions until your third tardy. Just don't be tardy again, and you’ll have no problem."
I noticed that Ruben didn’t have a backpack, a three-ring binder, or his textbook.
Today was oral report day for the paired interview essays, and fourth period surprised me. Most of the essays were well written, and many of the students gave impressive oral presentations. I was pleased.
…
Many of the Scrollies worked through sixth period on their stories. Amanda stayed late again, working on her page layouts with help from Linda, who wasn't an editor, but had been in the class last year and stayed on as a reporter.
Linda wanted to be the next opinion editor when Amanda was ready to give that section up, but I wasn't sure about her people skills. I'd seen her snap at reporters last year, and I felt editors should be more diplomatic and demonstrate patience.
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Thank you for taking time to read these scenes from Crazy is Normal, a classroom exposé. If you read the rest of the book, please consider telling your friends and/or posting a short review on Amazon. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and much appreciated.
“Crazy is Normal” goes on a promotional tour starting October 1st that ends in the middle of November, 2014. During the promotion, the e-book of the memoir will be on sale for 0.99ȼ. The price will return to $3.99 at the end of the promotional tour.
Scenes from "Crazy is Normal, a classroom expose" will appear here Saturdays in thirteen installments covering the first ten percent of the memoir or 12,455 words.
The Introduction, which comes before the Prelude, may be found at:
