topic in Math for Real Life, called "How to File for Bankruptcy."

Finally, we quieted down and looked at Mr. Schubert. "This has been a great class," he said. "I've enjoyed teaching you all, and I'll miss you when you go on to your next Short Takes class next week."

"What's it going to be?" somebody yelled out. "Zoo-keeping? How to Be a down?"

They never tell us about the next Short Takes course until the week before, which means it’s always a surprise. Some other kids jumped in with funny ideas.

"Advanced Skateboard Riding?" Pete Hayes called out.

"How To Drive Your Little Sister Crazy?" asked somebody else.

Soon we were all cracking up. Even Mr. Schubert was laughing. Then he held up his hands for silence. "Give me a chance, and I'll tell you," he said. As soon as we all shut up, he announced, "The next Short Takes is called Project Work."

Everybody groaned.

"What, like doing chores around the house?" asked Erica Blumberg, who was sitting in front of me. "I don't need a class to teach me how to take out the garbage or rake the lawn."

I had to admit Project Work didn't sound

like a whole lot of fun. But I listened to Mr. Schubert anyway. "For Project Work," he went on, "every student at SMS will go out into the community after school three days a week and actually work in a business of his or her choice."

"Cool," said Erica. "So we can, like, make a bunch of money and get school credit at the same time?"

"Well, not exactly," said Mr. Schubert. "You won't be getting paid. The idea is for you to pick a place that interests or excites you, and find out what it’s really like to work there. Ifs called hands-on experience. We have a wide variety of businesses for you to choose from, some in Stoneybrook, some in Stamford, and some at the Washington Mall."