Maja,

Here is a Wacky We from my new Book Voice Mail From the Roman Empire. Invite Tommy R to try with the class and I may be able include and example.

Voice Mail from Mammoth Cave: Wacky We-search

There are many ways to eloquently summarize information so that that it will be remembered, yet so many teachers still rely on quizzes and tests that most research shows are forgotten a week after they are taken. This lesson, from the forthcoming book Voice Mail from the Roman Empire and other Wacky We-search Reports by Barry Lane , illustrates how to create a report a student might remember their whole lifetime.

What you need: Examples of voice mail phone tree messages. See next page. An audio recording device. A topic and some great facts about it. Creativity and imagination. Your speaker phone cell phone.


What you do: Talk to your students about Wacky We-search. See book, 51 Wacky We-search Reports by Barry Lane (Discover Writing Press,2003 ). A wacky WE-search paper is one you can do with a friend. We search together to find the most compelling facts.

We are not just going to learn the facts, we are going to celebrate them with joy and humor. Wacky We-search can take many forms. Today we are going to experiment with Voice mail.

I am going to dial a few phone trees and lets make a list of some of the common language.

Example: Please listen carefully as our options have changed.
( Bad music playing)
If you are interest in _____ press 1 ______press 2, ______please stay on the line, an account representative will be with you shortly.

Your call is very important to us. Please stay on the line…

Your wait time will be approximately…

Also, list examples of academic language on the board that relates to your subject. Makes lists of nouns and verbs and adjectives.

Example: Caves: Stalagmite, Stalagtite, limestone, carbolic acid, bats, etc
Adj Sedimentary, igneous
Verbs calcify, augmentation, flutter,

Now create your report. Create your phone tree using your language as fuel. Notice how the more truthful your report is the funnier it is.

You have reached mammoth caves. Please listen carefully as our options have changed.

Press 1 to reach Stacy Stalagctite. If you wish to visit, her office is located on the ceiling


Of our cave. Look up, as she is usually found hanging around.

Press 2 to reach Buster Bat However, he is only available during the evening hours.

Press 3 to reach Buffy Blind-fish. Please be sure to bring a flashlight if you wish to attend a meeting.

Press 4 to reach Stan Stalagmith. His office is located on the ground floor of our cave directly below Mrs. Stalactite’s.

Press 5 to reach all other departments including our gift shop which sells delicious rock candy! We hope to see you soon.

Looks like you had a blast at Miss Foley Day! Congrats!

Glad you're here. It's inspiring to have fellow teachers who are tired of the routine, especially when it doesn't work. :-)

oh my God. You are so cute!! And so obedient as well ;)))) You were outspoken from the start, as I imagined,

I am home another week and then off for some jigsawing around the country, Branson MO, Mi TX. Then AL IN VA. Then off to Paris with daughter 2 for a week of playing French. I am working on my snear. "Merde!"

Post a photo Ms Maja. We are all waiting. I hope you don't mind that I used your other photo for the take back the classroom group.

So excited, just got your book in the mail today!

It's at the sheraton in Portsmouth. Do you need a ride over?