Magic is Most Imminent

by heartlessons

First published June 5th, 2023 22:30

It's easy to find teachers willing to substitute at Canterlot High. It's just hard to keep them.

Written for the A Thousand Words Contest II in the "Experimental" category, where it won a judge's prize.

Review by Loganberry.

Chapters

Lesson Plan Thursday, Nov. 30
Notes 11/30

Lesson Plan Thursday, Nov. 30
View Online

Magic is Most Imminent

Lesson Plan Thursday, Nov. 30

Good morning!

Included below is everything you should need while I am out of the classroom. I can be reached at cheer01@chs.net for any further questions. Thank you for substituting for me, River Ripple!!!

Period 1 - HOMEROOM (8:30-9:00)

Students are expected to work quietly on any assignments/projects they may have.
Use of phones is allowed ONLY if all work has been completed. Coloring pages are also available. Remember: colored pencils cannot go in the electric sharpener.
Since this is a period with mixed grades, if you need help wrangling kids, ask Rainbow Dash. She will sort them out.

Period 2 - ADV. LITERATURE (9:05-9:50)

Students are to finalize their essay outlines. If someone says they have no idea what you are talking about, tell them that they are a liar. (Please don’t actually say that.)
Outlines must be turned into their period's tray by the end of class. NO EXCEPTIONS!!! A copy of the rubric is attached, which they are free to reference.
Remind them that this is not a group assignment. While they are able to help one another and chat, each student MUST turn in their own outline.

Period 3 - PREP (9:55-10:40)

No kids! Yay!!!
Work on whatever YOU need to work on.
If you need recommendations, I try to nap.

Period 4 - ADV. LITERATURE (10:45-11:30)

Same directions as Period 2.

LUNCH (11:35-12:25)

No kids again!
Get the cinnamon apples, they’re the best.
Lunch duty is 11:46-12:01. Just make sure nothing bad happens OUTSIDE of the cafeteria. The rest of the school is fair game.

Period 5 - ON-LEVEL LITERATURE (12:30-1:15)

Students are to continue reading the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth chapters of Jane Mare.
Once finished, they will answer the appropriate discussion questions in their Reading Guides (baby blue packets, right-side of desk.) Additional copies have been made in the event someone has misplaced theirs… which is likely.
Those who get done early may read ahead.

Period 6 - ON-LEVEL LITERATURE (1:20-2:05)

Same directions as Period 5.
Keep an eye on Snips.

Period 7 - ADV. LITERATURE (2:10-2:55)

Same directions as Period 2.
This class is a little more squirrely than the others. Should Micro Chips and Twilight Sparkle begin heated philosophical discussion, DO NOT ENGAGE. Let them talk. This is normal.
Also, depending on the day, some kids might start glowing. That’s normal, too.

IMPORTANT:

No matter what you are told, passing period is five minutes, not six. Mark tardy students accordingly.
Seating charts for each class have been attached. This is how attendance is calculated, so PLEASE press the importance of them remaining in their assigned desks.
If a M.I.M.I. alarm sounds, DO NOT PANIC! The students know what to do. Follow their lead.
Personal cellular devices should be out of sight during instruction. Feel free to place any disobedient devices in the "Phone Home." If you are given trouble for this, remind them that this is a district rule, not a Miss Cheerilee one. =)

Thank you again!!!

Cheerilee
Literature Educator
Canterlot High School
Canterlot City I.S.D.

Notes 11/30
View Online

Magic is Most Imminent

Notes 11/30

1st: Many coloring pages were used (sorry). Rainbow Dash was late, said it was due to traffic. Otherwise quiet. Kids did work as asked, listened during morning announcements. Pixel Pizzazz + Silver Spoon were absent.

2nd: Everyone knew what I was talking about (re: essay outline) so no liars here. Phone Home was used once and I suggest getting a Laptop Home too because Trixie Lulamoon was using hers to charge her vape. More lively than the first class, but all students turned in their outlines. Mystery Mint was late. No absences.

(Didn't nap during prep, but oh, did I want to.)

4th: This class talked a lot more than the other two periods, but always about their work. Still, despite my many warnings, at least three outlines didn't get turned in. No absences.

(Duty went well. I got some of those cafeteria cinnamon apples. They were the bomb. Thanks for the recommendation.)

5th: Majority were on-task the whole time, others preferred talking over reading. Sandalwood spent ten whole minutes in the restroom. If I hadn't also been a teenager once, I would say he spent the time crying. No absences.

6th: Significantly rowdier. At least half the copies of Jane Mare remained on the shelf the entire period. I don't think many finished their work even with my continuous reminders. Snips made many paper airplanes. None of them flew too high. I sent him to the office. Flash Sentry was absent.

7th: Needed lots of redirection. Constantly on phones. However when the PA system said there was a MIMI drill, they were focused and acted fast, remaining in shelter until the all clear was given. Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, and Rarity got to class five minutes before the period was done and barely a minute after the drill had ended. They claimed it was because of yearbook committee duties. I was disappointed, not in their tardiness but because I didn't get to hear any philosophical debate. Tried to call teacher, couldn't get a hold. Apparently she's on extended leave? They had this purple goop all over them but they were wearing trashbags. (I'm guessing so it wouldn't track on the floor.) It came off easy enough with some paper towels. They were also glowing but I was assured "this happens all the time." I marked them absent.

Regardless—with the exception of seventh period—all did their work and were respectful of me. My only complaint would be lack of understanding about "MIMI drills". At my school we just called them shelter-in-place. Some clarity would have been appreciated, especially when students were trying to convince me it was because of magic. You might want to ask admin about installing carbon monoxide detectors.

Still, nothing can get me to return to CPA. If you need a substitute in the near future, feel free to request me. I wouldn't mind subbing for these kids again. Who can glow. Apparently. It would be no trouble.

I hope your day off was restful.

-River Ripple

Author's Note

All the love to the many websites I scoured while looking up how to write good sub lesson plans. I don't know how teachers do it. I found one that said "How to make sub plans with thirty minutes' notice!" THIRTY MINUTES??/ THIRTY MINUTES/!??!?