"Good Morning Class." "Good Morning, Mrs. Radwin." Our class mayor starts the pledge and we join in, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America ..." "Which song would you like us to sing?" asks Mrs Radwin. "The Star Spangled Banner," and so begins yet another morning in Mrs. Karen Radwin's third grade portable, Room 22. The morning goes quickly with spelling and long division, followed by recess, the best part of the day!

I finish my three-on-three basketball game, which I should mention, ends in favor of my team, 66-2. I quickly run to the knock-out game with only five minutes left for recess! With 60 seconds left, I get the ball and force Evan out! The bell rings. We return to our portable.

In class, my reading group is discussing Matthew Looney. Matthew's uncle, Lockhard Looney is admiral of the "Ploozer," named after Professor Ploozer at the Looniversity. In case you haven't guessed, they are moonsters, living on the moon. The noon bell rings, ending our discussion: Lunchtime!

I rush through my two tacos and orange juice to maximize my playing time. An hour later, back in Room 22, I silently read, feeling the effects of my heavy and hurried meal. I continue reading until Mrs. Radwin takes us for P.E., our last activity for the day. After school, some children head for the "Clubhouse," our after-school center. Others, like myself, head home or to meetings (Cub Scouts, chess, Brownies, G.A.T.E, or music). Some children are with moms, others with dads, some with nannies, and some are alone.

At home, after a snack, and a good, solid pillow-fight with my sister, I eventually start the unpleasant task of "homework." After homework I do what 99 percent of American third graders have been doing for over 30 years: watch television! My favorite show is Arthur. Arthur is an ardvark who attends third grade. His other animal friends are Buster Bunny, who loves eating, Francine Frensky, a sports-fanatic, Muffy Crosswire, who could shop 'til she dropped (and shop some more even after that), Binky Barnes, the class bully, Allen "The Brain," a natural genius, and Arthur's sister, D.W, whose primary occupation in life is to be as annoying as possible. They get into all kinds of interesting situations, like me. I love this show.

My day winds down today with a gripping tale called "Bad Hair Day" by R.L. Stine. (No, this is not about Dennis Rodman, who is pretty scary, too). It is about a boy who wants to be a magician. Stuck backstage, behind a trap door, crying for help ... suddenly I hear, "10 more minutes..." It is my mom's voice. It is now 9 p.m. Boy, am I tired! Not even Mr. Stine's Goosebumps book can keep me up now. Hope you had fun joining me on this typical school day in Los Altos. Good night and pleasant dreams, as my mom would say.

Prashant Rai

Loyola School

Third Grade

^{Added from Crater Tycho on 9 December 2000}         VISITORS:

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