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Just in time for Valentine's Day,
the Guardian in London has
reviewed and raved about
The Secret Language of Sleep.
And, for the rest of the week,
you can buy it for $5!

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T H E   L I E S
P E R P E T R A T E D   O N   M E
B Y   P U B L I C   E D U C A T I O N ,
P A R T   O N E :
S A L I S B U R Y
C E N T R A L   S C H O O L .


BY MICHAEL NORTHROP


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Kindergarten

The Lie: Everyone may take one toy from the toy box.

The Truth: Larger children may take your toy as well.

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First Grade

The Lie: If you make that face, and someone hits you on the back, your face will stick like that.

The Truth: If you make that face, and someone hits you on the back, your back will hurt.

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Second Grade

The Lie: You are dumb and weird.

The Truth: You are weird and dyslexic.

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Second Grade, the Special Ed. re-mix

The Lie: That Dick, Jane, and Spot do all kinds of interesting things, things that are worth reading about.

The Truth: Dick runs pointlessly, Spot is a dumb dog, and Jane always seems to be chasing Dick.

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Third Grade

The Lie: No one will care that you spent last year in Special Ed. and are now a year older than your classmates.

The Truth: The word 'tard can be used as nearly any part of speech. For example, "Go eat your 'tard lunch by your 'tard self, 'tard."

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Fourth Grade

The Lie: Recess is a nice break from the school day.

The Truth: Recess is an anarchic bruisefest in which social hierarchy is established based on Nerf football skills. You are known as "Nerf 'tard."

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Fifth Grade

The Lie: Tall children should stand in the back row on picture day.

The Truth: Tall children are more likely to fall off the back of the bleachers, as you do after growing six inches in a year and losing all semblance of coordination.

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Sixth Grade

The Lie: You may begin to undergo some changes. It's nothing to be alarmed about.

The Truth: Becky has her period during math class. She runs crying from the room. Weeks later, your voice begins to crack, forever ruining your pitch-perfect Yoda imitation.

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Seventh Grade

The Lie: You are in junior high now. Everything will be better.

The Truth: "Everything" does not include social acceptance, not getting punched in the arm, or girls saying hi to you.

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Eighth Grade

The Lie: You are now ready for high school.

The Truth: You are now ready for therapy.

 

 

OTHER McSWEENEY'S STORIES:
- - - -


Goofus, Gallant, Rashomon By Jim Stallard
How He Spent His Summer Vacation: An Interview with Jonson Miller, Part Two By B.R. Cohen
How He Spent His Summer Vacation: An Interview with Jonson Miller, Part One By B.R. Cohen
McSweeney's Brain Exploder: Pittsburgh Puzzle Parry-In-A-Pen Match: "Let's Git it On!" By Carlton Doby
"The Anomie of My Anomie is My Friend" a Scooby-Doo Treatment by Alice Munro By Ken Krimstein

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E-MAILS SENT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
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THREE-DEMENSIONAL CROSSWORD PUZZLE
IN THE SAN FRANCISCO PANORAMA


ABOUT A VERY BAD WIZARD

ABOUT THE WILD THINGS

ABOUT THE CONVALESCENT

ABOUT FEVER CHART

ABOUT GOD SAYS NO

ABOUT ZEITOUN

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