Third Grade
Worksheets
The Mystery of the Smart Teacher
Quiet Ms. Smith did not know about the spitballs flying across the classroom as she attempted to teach her very first history class. All she heard was loud laughter as she wrote on the blackboard. She spun around to see spitballs scattered on the floor like spilled popcorn at a movie theater. With a flush of embarrassment, she tried to gain control of her students but without success.
What Ms. Smith did not realize was that a fellow teacher had been observing the entire sad scene through the classroom window. After class, Mr. Masters took the new teacher aside for a little chat.
"How was your first day?" asked Mr. Masters in a tactful tone. Mr. Masters was an experienced teacher with salt and pepper hair and an immaculately groomed mustache. He did indeed look as though he would run a tight ship in his classroom.
Ms. Smith, the brand new college graduate and teacher, ran her thin fingers through her golden hair. Her blue eyes filled with tears that spilled slowly down her cheeks. She had such noble aspirations for her students! The lack of discipline in her first class was appalling.
"Oh, to be honest with you, it was horrible. The kids did not respect me. I just finished sweeping up the spitballs from the floor so the janitor wouldn't see my dismal failure. It was a very disappointing day. What can I do to get control of my class?" she sniffled.
"It is quite simple," said Mr. Masters. "You just need eyes in the back of your head." His steel gray eyes sparkled with glee.
"Ha, ha, very funny," said Ms. Smith. She did not appreciate sarcastic suggestions when she was suffering.
"I will show you," said Mr. Masters. "Your students will be shocked and dismayed by how much you will know about them. This is a little trick that they probably did not teach you in college."
Mr. Masters told Ms. Smith one of the greatest secrets of the teaching profession. He helped her set up her classroom to implement his plan. Ms. Smith felt much more hopeful about the next day's class.
