     | Almost as famous and important as an Oscar or Grammar nomination, the turtle names for the 2015-2016 school year were selected on Thursday, much to the amusement of the students (and probably the embarrassment of some of the turtles). For some context, two years ago, I bought my first two class turtles for my fifth-grade homeroom, Room 101. Unfortunately, one of the painted turtles passed about two weeks into the school year. Not satisfied with one turtle, my students started to bring in pet turtles from their homes that they longer wanted. From one painted turtle, Room 101 grew to two small red-ear sliders in 2013 and an African Sideneck turtle and another small red-ear slider in 2014. This summer, I went a bit overboard and bought three new sliders and another African sideneck, bringing my classroom to nine turtles (in four tanks) and these names. And now for the moment you've waited for. Drum roll... |
 Harold Cornwallace Type: Red-ear slider Comment: This was some inside joke beyond my understanding with the students who came up with the name. It had something to do with One Direction and a cousin's pet's name. |  Toby Grumpasaur Type: Red-ear slider Comment: This name seems appropriate as this turtle was not too happy when I tried to take a selfie of him. Apparently, this turtle's family tree dates back to the dinosaurs. |  Scar Type: Red-ear slider Comment: This was one of my favorite names. I'll have to double check if there is a marking or scar on this turtle's shell. Rest assured, this turtle is much nicer than "The Lion King" villain. |
 Hercules Type: Red-ear slider Comment: Don't be fooled by this picture of a turtle in its shell. Hercules was quite active and strong while using its claws to try to climb out of its box while the students were observing him. Nice use of context by this group. |  Jeb, Jr. Type: Red-ear slider Comment: This was yet another inside joke that was beyond my comprehension at this time of the day. I am not sure if this turtle is related to the Republican presidential candidate. I am just grateful that his name is not Trump, Jr. |  Leatherhead McJuan Type: Red-ear slider Comment: I will give the gold star for this name. I loved the first name of Leatherhead, which sounds like a horror movie character and suits this turtle, which tried to claw me during our photo shoot. The last name made me chuckle. |
 Big Shell II (the second) Type: African-sideneck Comment: Big Shell not only has a big dome but a big heart, and is clearly the most photogenic and gentlemanly of the nine turtles, as seen by his extended hand on my thumb. |  Circumference (aka: Grumpy Long Neck) Type: African-sideneck Comment: I enjoyed the thought process for this name as the students observed this turtle moving in circles while being observed, hence the circular name of Circumference. |  Mr. or Mrs. Red Type: Painted turtle Comment: It's actually Mrs. Red as females have shorter nails than males. Mrs. Red is the sole survivor of my first two turtles, and is so important (and aggressive) that she has her own tank for herself. |
FYI:
- No turtles were harmed during the naming or photo-taking process.
- Students did not touch any turtles (for safety reasons).
- All students used hand sanitizer afterwards.
- The turtles were happily returned to their tanks in no less than 20 minutes.
- All classroom desks were cleaned with Lysol wipes.
- This is not how we usually spend writing class (but the students deserved something fun near the end of the first full week of school.
- There is no need to contact PETA or school administration about Mr. Maynard.
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