The Blog for Mrs. Tense is a Spinoff of the JoJo Blog. Mrs. Tense is JoJo's English teacher. After a rocky start, JoJo really begins to like Mrs. Tense when she decides to help him after school with bettering his English skills. JoJo begins doing so well in English, that it spills over into his other classes. He goes from Straight D's to all A's and B's. This specific blog is the Pilot for the new Blog. Hope you enjoy it!
It is Monday, March 14, 1976. The action takes place at Smallville High School. Mrs. Tense is at the beginning of her sixth period class, Creative Writing.
Mrs. Tense adresses the class, "Now claaaas, today we will use our collective creativeness to construct a paragraph....one sentence at a time. Although we will create the paragraph orally, I have asked our Class Clerk, Jenni, to write the paragraph in the Clerk Notebook. People, the rules are simple: First, keep it "G" rated. Next, use your creativity. Finally, listen well, so that you can build from the previous sentences and to help you not look like a dummy bear!"
There were a few snickers, but otherwise, the students said, "Yes Mam."
"I can't hear you class. Did you say, 'Let's work on this after school or yes mam?'"
This time the students used their outside voice, "YES MAM."
"Thank you," said Mrs. Tense. She continued, "I will begin our story. On a cold, dark night, Sammy walked home from baseball practice."
Mrs. Tense gave further explanation. "For those who don't remember how to play our game or you hit your head on a hard object at recess, I will now call on a student. That student will build on my sentence. When I give the OK---yes, the sentence will need my approval---he or she will call on another student. This action will continue until we have built our paragraph. Any questions?"
A pointy-headed smallish boy in the center of the room raised his hand.
"Yes, Poindexter."
"Mrs. Tense, when will we know when the paragraph is complete?"
"We or I will decide."
"Jenni, please repeat the first sentence."
Jenni parroted, "On a cold, dark night, Sammy walked home from baseball practice."
Mrs. Tense told Jenni to call on another student.
Jenni squeaked out, "Ralph."
Ralph thought for a moment. "Sammy was so mad that his moms forgot to pick him up."
Mrs. Tense, "Nice build-on, Ralph. But, would you mind if we used another word other than 'moms'?"
"How bout, 'momma'?"
"Fine, Ralph call on another student."
Ralph used his deep voice, "Mellow."
Mrs. Tense said, "WHO?!"
"Oh, Martin."
Martin said, "His anger turned to despair when a black Cutlass Supreme pulled up next to him."
Mrs. Tense decide to simply nod if the sentence was alright. After all, this was her game.
Martin called on Thomas (also known as TURNIP)
Thomas continued, "Sammy was relieved when the car window rolled down." "James"
James let out a deep breath like he thought this was the stupidest game in the world. He just sat there.
Mrs. Tense thought about the situation. She sternly warned, "Anyone who does not participate when called on will get a zero. We will come back to you, JAMES." Then, she gave him the fish eye. Mrs. Tense gave Jenni a nod. Without hesitation, Jenni said, "Bob."
Bob decided to play the James game. After all, they were buddies, and buddies stand together.
Mrs. Tense simply said, "Bob-zero." She gave Jenni a nod.
Jenni said, "Alawisheh." His friends called him Wish.
Wish decided to play. "It was wonderful to see a friendly face." "Buster...I mean Sims."
Sims continued, "Sammy's cousin, Nancy peered out at Sammy." "Susie-Q"
Susie Q wanted to make it a little more exciting. "However, Sammy spotted the driver, which sent a shiver down his back!" "Samson"
Samson did not miss a beat. "The driver, a 19-year old loser named Clint loudly told Sammy, 'If you want a ride, it will cost you fancy pants.'"
Many of the students laughed. Mrs. Tense smiled and nodded.
Samson called on Rick. "Sammy told the driver, He didn't need no ride."
Mrs. Tense broke in. "What English rule did Sammy break?"
About ten students yelled, "Double-Negative."
"That is right. But, as a writer, you can develop your character to speak with grammatical errors."
Rick was beaming. "Robby"
Robby said, "Sammy told the driver, 'And don't call be fancy pants!'" "Nigeria"
Nigeria thought for about 2 seconds. The driver yelled, "I'll fancy pants you, Punk."
Mrs. Tense said, "You are not allowed to call anyone 'punk' in this classroom. However, your character may."
Nigeria called on Wilson.
Wilson was half asleep. "Uhhh. Give me all your milk."
Mrs. Tense calmly said, "Wilson-zero."
Jenni called on David, after a head-nod from Mrs. Tense.
David tried, "I've never seen a person get fancy panted."
Mrs. Tense broke in. "Uh no. Thanks anyway, Dave."
Jenni called on Anne.
Anne said, "The driver got out of the car and moved cautiously toward Sammy." "Pervis"
Pervis said, "Sammy's cousin, Nancy, moved over to the driver's seat and told Sammy to jump in."
Pervis called on Tammy.
Tammy concluded, "After Sammy jumped in and the two drove off, that was the last they saw of Clint."
Mrs. Tense said, "EXCELLENT! That will conclude our paragraph. Your Homework is: Complete problems 1-20 on page 286.
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