The Red Solo Cup Debacle

I eat lunch in the classroom. My AT does it, it gives the kids the opportunity to ask one on one questions and it's great observation time for me. People-watching is really useful for teaching. And not just the kind of people watching that involves making sure some kid doesn't get the bright idea to throw a banana at someone else. Yes, that did happen. Anyway, you can learn a lot about their interests and then tailor your lessons to fit those interests so they pay attention for at least ten minutes. Today's interest?

Red Solo Cup. The song I mean.

One of my students asked me if I'd heard of it. I told him I had. Sam sang it on Glee. I'm pretty sure he would have looked scandalized if I'd never heard of the song. He looked scandalized and offended that my only point of reference was to Glee. He spent a considerable amount of time looking up the video on his phone and finding a pair of speakers to share the original version with me.



I admit, it's a funny song. We watched the whole thing, him, me and the EA. We all laughed. And occasionally, one other student would pop in to shout out "red solo cup, I fill you up, let's have a party!". It was quite fun. My response?

"Don't show that to any other teachers." The EA agreed with me. The student laughed but nodded solemnly. Hey, if I can't talk about "the gays", I'm pretty sure the school wouldn't be thrilled to see some of the stuff happening in that video.

Although, it did get me thinking. I don't drink, so what would I use a red solo cup for? Drapes? No... Curtains for my door? I don't do drugs either so the pipe is out. While I was in the shower, it hit me. Not the shower. I figured out what I would use the red solo cup for.

I would fill two cups with Kleenex and make sure that it was really packed in there. Then, I would glue a cup to each side of a red solo headband. I would then wear the red solo cup headband when I inevitably become tired of hearing my name whined across a room. Makeshift sound proofing. While I may look stupid, my lack of headache says otherwise.

What would you do with your red solo cup?

Lauren.