Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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THE CLASSROOM — Ah, the spelling test, the classic grind of the grade school classroom.
It probably didn't matter what kind of student you were, they likely brought some stress into your life. Even if you were a crackerjack speller, there were hurdles and pitfalls from tricky words that seem to follow no rules to the weeks where you forgot to study. And if state and national spelling bees are any indication, spelling is stressful even if you are a crackerjack speller.
Spelling tests have given many former school-goers slight trauma, and it shows. Just go into a room and ask, "How do you spell…" and watch some adults' eyes widen as they say, "Don't ask me," even before you finish saying what the word is.
Basically, if spell check disappeared tomorrow, many, many professionals who communicate via email or make PowerPoint presentations would be very sad that they took spell check for granted.
While the above may describe many child-to-adult spelling feelings, one teacher used April Fool's Day to add even more spelling test stress for his grade school class.
In the video, Joe Dombrowski is sitting in front of his class, giving the "correct" answers to a spelling test. The joke is that none of the words exist. Not only do they sound completely ridiculous, but Mr. Dombrowski does not allow "wins" from phonetic spelling.
Let's review one specific word: "Look, there's a 'speekoo'!" he says in the example sentence. Then he proceeds to claim the spelling is "s-p-e-e-k-u-z-s-l-m-n ... there's silent letters at the end of that one."
Of course the students start to grumble and shout in dismay as the words and spelling become more ridiculous. Since the camera isn't on the students (rightly so), it's unclear if any students actually get the joke before Dombrowksi reveals that this is his idea of an April Fool's joke. But it doesn't matter, because he's very delighted with himself either way.
The last twist is Dombroski's final words after revealing the joke, "Congratulations, turn in your tests, this will be on your report card." It's almost guaranteed that phrase will end up in someone's "back in school" panic dream far after they've graduated.
