Sometimes the dancing monkeys have already left the building.

John (having arrived late to class): So what am I supposed to do now?

Me: Well, as I wrote on the agenda board, and as I said to the class during my introduction to this assignment . . . ohhhhh. You weren't here for that. Well, it's too bad you were late because the dancing monkeys did an excellent job answering a couple questions some of your classmates had. Cathy, I think the dancing monkeys really helped, didn't you?

Cathy: Oh, absolutely. And they were entertaining as well. It's too bad you can only have them once a year.

John: Dancing monkeys? What dancing monkeys?

Cathy (shaking her head sadly): Oh, you really missed something.

Me: It truly is a shame. But I'll try to help you understand this assignment.

John: You're not as much fun as dancing monkeys . . .

Me: Very true, but when you're late to class, sometimes you miss the dancing monkeys.

Bird is the Word

Me (to the class): So please be sure to include ALL your sources in this rough draft.

George: So we should only include one source?

Dave: She JUST said to include ALL of them! Jeez, George.

George (sheepishly): Sorry!

Me (shaking my head): You know, I think it's so interesting how some of my students don't hear a word I'm saying.

Dave: What's that about your bird?