When Students Start To Stink

I just read Bonnie's blog about Joe's deodorant decision. Instead of taking up too much room on her comments, I thought I would write a sequel to her "This Is A Decision You Should Make Only Once" post.

It must be that time of year when students start to stink. I would bet that Joe was actually smelling a combination of a bunch of smelly students. There really are no good words to describe this horrific odor, however, I have often referred to this stench as the"springtime in the 6th grade smell."

For the last two weeks during lunchtime my classroom has become the hang out spot for some of the 6th graders. When 20 to 25 eleven year olds get together and practice dancing and Tininkling, not only does it get loud and hot, it gets stinky. Not wearing deodorant is only part of the problem. The other problem is that most of the students take of their shoes.

A few days ago when the students came in and took off their shoes I thought I was going to pass out. Usually when I smell such awfulness, I can't control what I say. I am happy to say that I did have enough self control and didn't say anything. After about 30 minutes of my dancing, barefooted 6th graders, my classroom is rank!

What's cool about Joe M. is that he actually noticed a bad smell. I know that most of my 6th graders do not even notice the terrible smell that lingers in my room for about an hour. If they were aware of it, they would make a decision to not only wear deodorant, but they would bathe daily and put on clean socks.