Sure, I can be a little dramatic, but it's kind of my job.
I've noticed the teachers have been prioritising mental health over learning this term, which is great. Lots of mindfulness, yoga, and game-based learning.
Last week the kids baked cookies for Father's Day as a class. I thought virtual cookie baking might be ambitious—and I was right.
"We're doing this together as a class," Ms Teacher announced, slipping her apron on. "Step by step. You'll only need your parents help getting them in and out of the oven."
Optimistic.
"Ovens should be pre-heating. Does everyone have their large bowl and wooden spoon?"
"Is this okay?" asked a boy, waving his barbie-sized bowl in front of the camera.
"Ah, is it large?"
"No."
"Then, no."
"I don't have a wooden spoon" came another voice.
"Mum wants to know if we can we use gluten-free flour for the recipe?" asked another.
They hadn't even gotten to the ingredients yet.
"Did everyone take their butter out of the fridge this morning like I told you to?" Ms Teacher asked.
Silence.
Sighing, Ms Teacher said, "If it's cold, you'll need to put it in the microwave for ten seconds. Make sure it's a microwave safe bowl." She paused. "Actually, don't put anything in the microwave until you've checked with a parent."
That was the first ingredient sorted.
"Now," Ms Teacher continued. "We add half a cup of brown sugar and half a cup of white—"
"We only have white sugar," said one boy.
"That's fine," Ms Teacher said, keeping the smile in her voice. "Just use one cup of white sugar."
"I dropped my egg," said another girl.
Ms Teacher's smile faltered. "Do you have another one?"
"No."
Rookie mistake. Always have a backup egg when baking with kids.
"I'm allergic to eggs" came a new voice.
The bowl Ms Teacher was holding fell a few inches. "I sent out an email to your parents with alternatives for allergies. Do you have chia seeds?"
"No."
"Oh."
"How much flour do we need?" asked one boy.
"One and a half cups."
Muffled voices ensued.
"Mum wants to know what that is in grams."
On and on and on it went. One girl made it all the way to the end before announcing she didn't have any trays to cook them on.
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