Tacky and the Hairy Butt

This week during my core extension group, my colleague and I did a read aloud of Three Cheers for Tacky by Helen Lester.  The book is hilarious, and the kids really loved it.  I mean, who doesn't love a penguin who wears a Hawaiian shirt and doesn't fit in? 

They are learning about character traits, so after the reading, the students had to make a character card of Tacky.  They cut out a penguin, illustrated it to look like Tacky, and then on the back, they had to list Tacky's traits (i.e. different, loud, silly, odd, etc.).

On the second day of the activity, as the students were leaving and turning in their penguins, I noticed that one was on the floor.  I picked it up to look for a name and I saw this on the back:

I didn't think to take a picture of the actual penguin, so this is my recreation...

And in case you are wondering, yes, that is a hairy butt with a smile.  Labeled. But of course, no name.

At first I was irritated, because obviously someone wasn't following directions, but then I had to stifle a laugh.

Me: Who doesn't have their penguin?  I have a no name penguin!

Helpful Boy: Oh I think there was a name on the back, let me see!

Me: NOPE! No name.  It's fine, I'll find the owner.

Helpful boy:  No really, I think I saw a name, just let me check.

Me: Thanks, but I got it!

At this point no one else had seen it but me, so I didn't want to show it to any other kids, because...well...it's a penguin butt.  

So the kids are leaving, and on the way out, they were supposed to hand their penguins to my colleague, so we would soon know.  But then...

Anatomy Expert: Ms. S...it's mine.

I turn around and see one of my sweet little girls with her head down.  

Me: (trying not laugh) WHAT!? Was this what we were supposed to be doing? 

She shook her head no.  And at that point, my colleague walked in.  

Me: Well, I guess we have to talk to your teacher about this.  You start walking, I'll meet you there.  

After she left and cleared the doorway, I burst out laughing!  OMG.  I have to give the kid points for creativity.  

Eventually I went down to the teacher and showed it to her.  At one point she asked the little girl, "Were you supposed to be labeling the penguin parts?" I nearly lost it...    

We did have to come up with a consequence for not getting the work done.  But , we both had to laugh about it in the end (in fact, I'm still laughing!).  

The silver-lining? In the words of her teacher, "Well, at least she spelled 'butt' right."