Adventures in Teaching: A Math Lesson

So, I was trying to tell my mother about my day and I think I need to post for everyone to see.

Picture, if you will, a classroom. 18 desks arranged like a giant square missing one side. A table at the open end, which I was standing behind--as the teacher's guide is on said table.

A math lesson, directly after lunch. (On scientific notation and exponents, if you are curious. Yes, in fifth grade. I know.)

My directions were "come in, sit down without talking at your desks, take out your math journal."

Remember, this is fifth grade.

( This might be amusing and horrifying at once. You decide. )

.....And that is how the first ten minutes of a lesson goes. The rest continues in the same vein.