Mrs. Turner, his history teacher, overheard his comment and decided it was time for a reality check. She responded, “You know, Rusty, middle school is more than earning good grades. It’s like building your dream house – you need a strong foundation and a plan for the future. Let’s make your dream house and explore why middle school is important, my young architect.”
Intrigued, Rusty couldn’t resist the challenge. He half-listened as Mrs. Turner explained that middle school laid the groundwork for high school, just like a solid foundation for a house. “You learn not only facts but also essential skills – it’s the blueprint for your academic success,” she declared, handing Rusty a metaphorical hammer and nails.
Mrs. Turner then guided Rusty through the process of designing his dream house. Each element represented a crucial aspect of middle school – where you live represents organization, the walls represent active learning, the roof represents study skills, and the backyard is for developing soft skills.
She then reminded Rusty, “You don’t actively participate in class. Let’s try building your house without the active participation part.”