The End of the Day

The End of the Day
A Play by Donnie Dicus
A Sequel to Angela Buzan’s Masterpiece “Before the Bell”

Setting: 3rd Grade Classroom at 2:15 in an Urban School in West Phoenix
Characters:
Teacher: A man in his mid-30’that kids call Mr. Dicus
Grade Level Colleagues: various
Students: Anonymous and referred to by fake names
Coach

Teacher: [Standing front of the class] You guys have worked really hard and done a great job today. Take a moment as we wrap up our math lesson to think if this equation is true. [Teacher writes (5 x 2) + (5 x 2) = 5 x 4] [Pauses for 30 seconds] Albert, can you tell me if this equation is…….

[Phone rings loudly. Teacher answers phone.]

Teacher: Hello. Okay, yes, he’ll be right down. [Hangs up phone] Mario, get your things you’re going home early. Now where were we? Oh yes, Albert can you tell me…….

[Phone rings again. Teacher answers phone.]

Teacher: Hello. Yes, she’ll be right there. [Hangs up phone] Kara, the principal wants to see you before we go. Go ahead and take all your things up to the office. Now let’s get back to our lesson.

Phone rings again.

Teacher: Hello. Yes, I asked him to bring it home and practice reading at home. No, it is not for a grade. I can see you have more questions so can I call you back after class? I have to get the kids ready to go home. Okay talk to you soon. [Hangs up phone]

Teacher: [Looking at the clock] Okay we are out of time! Go ahead and put your math notebook away and put your papers in your math folder. No, Lilli, not that folder, your BLUE math folder. No, Martine, don’t just put it in your desk. Put it in your folder so you can find it tomorrow. Class, in 60 seconds, I need your chairs stacked, your area picked up, your pencils turned in, and your take home folder on your desk. Go.
[Teacher walks over to talk to a student who is on a time out and filling out a think sheet from another classroom.]

Teacher: So why did you throw your pencil at Sarah?

Gerardo: Because she made me mad.

Teacher: Why did she make you mad?

Gerardo: Because she was laughing at me.

Teacher: Why was she laughing at you?

Gerardo: I told a joke.

Teacher: Okay. Let’s think about how we can manage our anger when we our upset at someone. I will talk to you tomorrow morning. Go ahead back to your class.

[Gerardo exits the room and Teacher puts his attention back to his class. First dismissal bell rings.]

Tara: [Raises her hand but blurts out loudly] I forgot my jacket on the playground.

Teacher: When we walk by, we can….

[Phone rings again.]

Teacher: Hello. Okay, I’ll let him know. Dylan, your mom is picking you up today so don’t get on the bus

Adam: I can’t find my homework packet.

Teacher: [Walks over to his desk and looks in his take home folder.] This is it right here. Right where it’s supposed to be.

Nadia: [Raises her hand while squirming about] Mr. Dicus, I have to go to the bathroom. Really bad!

Teacher: [Looks at the clock] Okay but you better hurry. You don’t want to miss the bus.

[Colleague walks into the room.]

Colleague: Do you have an extra copy of the reading packet for home? My student lost their copy.

Teacher: [While looking in the scrap paper pile] Okay class, go ahead, and get your backpacks and line-up. No, I’m sorry. I can’t find another copy. Justin, why are you eating right now? Put that away. Mario, please stop playing with your watch so you can get ready to go.

[Coach enters the room.]

Coach: Sorry to interrupt but do you have that file for our staff meeting today?

Teacher: Yes, I’ll bring it with me. I’ll be there a few minutes early. [To the students] All right bus riders, go ahead and walk with Mrs. B to the bus. Kinder pick-ups, walk with Mrs. S. Parent pick up, come with me to the front of the school. Have a great ni…. No, Tara, I did not forget about your jacket.

[All students and teacher exit the room.]