Friday, November 22, 2024

Pumpkin

Thursday. Environmental science, fifth period. 

They were working on something called the Nitrogen Cycle STEM Case Study. It was located in something called Gizmos that they accessed through something called Clever which is a portal where teachers can link to online resources for their students to access. 

In other words, the kiddos had work online. (I know vaguely how to find most of this stuff, and I get the gist of what they have to do, so I can monitor to make sure they're on task.) And many were on task.

Then, out of nowhere, one kiddo: "Pumpkin!"

And another, in response: "Pumpkin!"

(Imagine Dug in Up saying, "Squirrel!")

The thing is, this is the third time I've had random "pumpkin" pop up. The first time was in an eighth grade English class. (The environmental science class was largely eleventh grade.) 

Okay, now time to do an internet search, as the kiddos are not forthcoming as to why they're suddenly arguing "pumpkin" at each other...

Ah... it's a stupid TikTok trend. Because, of course. 

Stupid TikTok. 

Anyone have any good ideas as to a comeback? I'm going to have to ponder this one. 

26 comments:

  1. I've got no witty comeback. But you might just egg them on if you do? Maybe best to let the trend die quickly ;)

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    1. After publishing this post, I realized what might make the trend die even more quickly--participating. I think just letting loose a "pumpkin" when they start will have them rethinking the whole thing.

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  2. No comeback to suggest but I almost fell into the timesuck of researching why the kids are yelling pumpkin in school. Maybe because they can? (Maybe a clever comeback would be something like "kumquat"? After all, kumquats are orange.

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    1. Once I found TikTok, I was done with the research. Really, that's all it needs to be, generally.

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  3. Every generation has its own stupidity. I was in high school in the 1970’s,when Saturday Night Live was brand we. Remember Mr. Bill? “Oh no …” was the battle cry …

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    1. There was still some Mr. Bill in the '80s, although not to the extent I'm sure you saw.

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  4. This is the first that I've heard of this trend.

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    1. I'm not surprised. It doesn't have the cache of some of the other challenges I've heard of.

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  5. Not familiar with pumpkin, and from the video, I'm glad. But I am familiar with Clever. I remember the orientation for my granddaughter (6th grade). App after app after app, some apps inbedded in other apps. My head was spinning!

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    1. Yeah, you'd never be able to keep track of them. Clever is such a great tool in keeping them organized.

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  6. There was no environment science when I was in school.

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    1. No, there's a whole bunch of "new" science classes nowadays.

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  7. Told you: eight graders are funny. You could respond “pie”.

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    1. Oooh, I like that idea. Brilliant.

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    2. That was actually the first thing I thought of: shout "PIE!" right back at them.

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  8. Hi Liz - yes ... leave to be ... well done - people follow trends so easily ... happy Thanksgiving week - cheers Hilary

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  9. Replies
    1. I don't get the reference, but it sounds likely.

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    1. Not enough to disrupt class, I would imagine ;)

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  11. As Tik Tok trends go, it sounds like it's one of the more benign ones. Of course, that may not be true, but I'm too old to do any research on the internet thingie. Get off my lawn.

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    1. It is. Very benign. Irritating, but otherwise harmless.

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  12. I have to admit, after reading some comments, that I purchased a Mr. Bill doll that says the catchphrase. In fact, I gifted one to a neighbor before purchasing a second. :) And I was too young when this was a thing. lol Be well!

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    1. I did not know they made dolls. I guess I was too young to be aware of them.

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