Today I did it. I used that exercise. I knew what my class would be like, so I decided to be up front. I said "There comes a time in a teachers career, when tey have to set an exercise that they don't particularly want to because they know what's going to happen. But I have to set it. There also comes a time when we realise that people who write text books have a sense of humour. So... well I'll let you see for yourself"

...and I let the turn to the page...

And they burst out laughing. But once they had got it our of their systems, it was OK. For me, I think that was a better way of handling it than to have them trying unconvincingly to surpress their mirth. At least they got on with the exercise after that.

One good kid at the end said "What were they thinking putting that exercise in a year 9 book?" Too True!

Other than that it has been a rather uneventful day. I've not been feeling too great. I hope I'm going to be OK for the weekend, as I am supposed to be going out with a friend tomorrow night and then going Turning the Sod on Saturday.