Play'doh in class

My friend told me about his teacher who brought a bunch of small Play'doh containers and passed them around to the class without prompting what to do. Here is his account of it:

Play-Doh?- Marcus Schulz
Yesterday at 11:30pm
The first thing I noticed rushing into class was the Play-Doh. Most of my classmates around the large conference table had some, and a half-full bag of small tubs lied on the table. Excited, I set down my bag and curiously asked the girl closest what the Play-Doh was for.

"Take one," she said passing the bag.

Just then Judy Polumbaum, my commentary & column writing professor, shouted that everyone should take some Play-Doh. Next to me Brandon molded a stick man, but most everyone else had theirs set in front of them.

I lunged at an orange tub and quickly crafted a miniature dog. I was surprised by the Play-Doh in class, and shocked that no one was taking advantage of the situation. Figuring the Play-Doh would be used for something specific, I left the dog sitting in front of me, while one girl complemented my sweet sculpture.

Soon everyone was pulling and rolling their Play-Doh into shapes, some simply smashing it on the table while the teacher was talking. Professor Polumbaum, or Judy, was editing with meticulous precision columns we had recently given her. She has a special ability to find every error or imperfection in a paper. I've never had a teacher who could move, change or cut out every word in an article until her. Her favorite advice is that we "must OBSESS over word choice!" Therefore, she had plenty of criticism for us.

Most everyone listened attentively, while their hands were busy creating sculptures of their own. Two students chucked over their black-spiked, red monster singing into a microphone. That prompted Judy to order that if anyone makes something cool, we have to show it to the class. One girl had spelled Ack! in green, an incredibly precise, black lobster sat across from me, and a snake and cat were being crafted down the table to my right. Some people were rolling balls or smashing the Play-Doh on the table. I thought of how silly this was, especially when I realized, while we circled the table discussing editorial ideas, that we weren't using the Play-Doh for anything class-related.

A Dr. Seuss quote came to mind: "I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living. It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities."

Play-Doh is nonsensical, especially in class, and that nonsense was awesome. While we learned, the Play-Doh kept people's hands occupied, and their minds awake. Everyone had intelligent comments to make during discussions about serious topics. Though, no one seemed too distracted.

I'm glad I have a passionate professor who is exciting and innovative enough to bring Play-Doh to class. Everyone should get to play with Play-Doh during class. Tell your teachers. Tell your friends. And if they don't understand, just go buy a bunch of Play-Doh and take it to class.