I was chatting with one of my seventh grade students on Friday. She likes school, but manages to drift through her classes without allowing the educational content to have any appreciable impact on her. Initially, she and I were at odds with one another (I tried to involve her in class discussions, and stuff), but eventually I just let her doodle undisturbed. Now we are pals. Oh well. For every future rocket scientist, there is a corresponding future space cadet...

Moira: "Last year I got an F- in Science."

Me: "Umm. I didn't think you could get an F- in anything."

Moira: "Oh yeah. My mom still has the report card. She pulls it out every once in a while to laugh at it."