Hanna came home with a rather extraordinary homework assignment last week. Extraordinary because I thought it was a little heavy for the end of a term and perhaps for the grade three curriculum but maybe the anti-smoking campaign push at the end of the school year was strategic and will keep students from smoking any Popeye’s this summer.

The assignment was once again a two-parter. The first portion was to create an anti-smoking poster, the second was to sing a rap (I’m out!) to discuss the negative aspects of cigarettes.

Hanna and her two friends worked tirelessly on their group poster over the weekend. Actually, I think it’s the first time Hanna has shown any real initiative when it comes to school work and for that I was proud of her. I guess it was just an unfortunate theme that she had been asked to google some photos and cut them out to be showcased, including one of Britney Spears smoking while sporting a pair of underwear on her head.

The theme has sparked several conversations around our house and no the pool guys aren’t bad people, they are just making some bad decisions.

I will be reminded of Hanna’s efforts for years to come. I know this because Hanna was the lucky winner from her group who “won” the poster. They’ve all been lucky enough to remember the lyrics to their rap entitled, “Don’t Smoke Or You’ll Choke and You Might Have a Stroke” but the poster will live on in our hearts and in my home for a lifetime.

Hanna: Mom, where can we hang it?

Where does one hang a giant piece of red Bristol board with a black lung, Britney, her smokes and a hat made of unders?

The mantel.