It is all in the connections

Last week, Jason and I were reviewing punctuation for the California Achievement Test (also known as the CAT. In Virginia we are required to provide "proof of progress" which can be done several ways. We use the CAT as a relatively painless way to meet this requirement). We had covered most of what was on the test over the course of the year, but there were a few things that I was not sure that he specifically knew.

One was how to punctuate the abbreviation of a person's name. So I used Uncle R.J. as an example. How his real name is Randolph James, but we call him R.J. and that there is a period after each initial. Jason turned to me and said (with complete comprehension) "Oh, you mean like M.R. Ducks?"

Yes, dear. Just like the bar here in Ocean City. I am so glad that you could make that connection. Now in the interest of full disclosure, he has never actually been in the bar in Ocean City (although I do believe that they have good food too and we might have to try it out for dinner sometime.) But he did see the sign last year and ask me what Mr. Ducks was. I vaguely remember explaining that because it had the periods in the name that it actually was called M.R. and not Mr.

So once again, we have proof that learning is all about relevant real-life connections. I have no doubt that he will always remember that initials require periods after them thanks to M.R. Ducks.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, he did get it right on the test.