Teacher Grace's Extraordinary Curriculum
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Listing Series
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The Greatest Act of Optimism by Acewithapaintbrush
Fandoms: Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary (2026)
30 Apr 2026
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Summary
The Eridian thrills a high sound that doesn’t get picked up by the translator which means that it has no clear meaning. Like when a human gasps or sucks in a deep breath. It actually sounds a little like that. When they notice that I’m staring straight at them they scramble back into their hiding spot and hold very still.
A child, I realize with a start.
That’s a child!
“Hey,” I call and the kid squeaks again. I was about to get to my feet but abort the movement and crawl closer on my hands and knees until I'm inches away from the xenonite wall. I wait and it takes me much too long to realize that they don’t have to peek around the corner to see if I’m still there.
“Hey there,” I try again, my voice low and calm. It’s my teacher voice, the one I use for shy and scared students.
Used.
The fact that I haven’t had to use it for years and it still comes to me automatically almost knocks the air out of my lungs but this is not about me, it’s about making sure the little pebble doesn’t die of fright from the scary alien. “Hi, I’m Grace. It’s alright, you don’t have to be scared.”
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How Grace finally gets back into a classroom, where he belongsSeries
- Part 1 of Teacher Grace's Extraordinary Curriculum
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A Journey Unknown by Acewithapaintbrush
Fandoms: Project Hail Mary (2026), Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir
21 May 2026
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Summary
“What is a ‘field trip’?”
The unexpected question makes me stop in my tracks. I stumble over my own two feet and almost bite my own tongue which is a new low, even for me. If I keep going like this I am never going to beat the clumsy human allegations. At least Rocky is not here. If he’d witnessed my latest embarrassing blunder he would have found ways to tease me about it for a week straight. It’s unfortunate that my class has to see me like this but they are a lot more forgiving and understanding of their ungraceful teacher than my best friend. A fact I like to hold over his head from time to time.
Not that he cares. He maintains that he’s earned the right to mock me as much as he likes after having to watch me stumble and fall repeatedly over the same threshold for four years.
And maybe he’s not wrong.
Don’t ever tell him I said that.
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There is no way Grace can take the pebbles on a field trip. At least not without help.
Series
- Part 2 of Teacher Grace's Extraordinary Curriculum
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Roots to Grow and Wings to Fly by Acewithapaintbrush
Fandoms: Project Hail Mary (2026), Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir
02 Jun 2026
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“They kept asking questions that had nothing to do with Quinn’s performance.” I roll my eyes and notice that I’m getting worked up again. Trying to get the midnight blue Eridian back on track had been a nightmare and I’d almost lost my composure a couple of times. “Just what I like to do and what I’ve seen of Erid so far and if they can give me a tour once my suit is finished. And they insisted I tell them what my favorite type of mineral is. I mean, why would they want to know that? What does that have to do with how their kid is doing in class?”
Midway through my rant Rocky has stopped carding his claw through my hair. He is silent for a few seconds and I’m just about to ask him if he’s alright when his whole body starts to tremble. It alarms me enough that I wiggle my arms underneath me and lift my upper body off the couch.
“Rock?”
But then the trembling morphs into full on shaking and then laughter so loud and shrill that I have to cover my ears.
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Erid's first ever parent teacher night does not quite go according to plan.
Series
- Part 3 of Teacher Grace's Extraordinary Curriculum
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The Wallpaper in my Heart (slowly, slowly peeling off) by Acewithapaintbrush
Fandoms: Project Hail Mary (2026), Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir
16 Jun 2026
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Summary
Afterwards Rocky reassured me that it is pretty common for pebbles to earn their first nicks and cracks at that age. Their outer shell isn’t fully developed yet and not quite as hard as that of an adult. He proudly showed me various indents and hairline fractures on his own body, telling me about how he got them in his youth during adventures with his friends or just messing around.
It’s a sign of growth, he told me. A sign of getting older and maturing.
Not a big deal. Happens all the time.
I believe him. Tori was in good spirits afterwards. Their crying was more because of the shock and the scare, not any actual pain. We finished the rest of the day without any further incidents and then I wished them all a happy holiday and returned to my home and got into bed.
Where I stayed for the next eighteen hours.
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There is an accident in the classroom. Everyone tells Grace that it's not a big deal.
But then why can't he stop thinking about it?Series
- Part 4 of Teacher Grace's Extraordinary Curriculum
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Watch your Colors Grow by Acewithapaintbrush
Fandoms: Project Hail Mary (2026), Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir
23 Jun 2026
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Summary
That is how it starts.
My pebbles are all good kids and a tight knit group. There are rarely fights or tensions and I can honestly say that they are all friends.
But Sam, showing all of them up with a gift that made Teacher Grace smile softly with tears in his eyes?
That means war.
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A lucky find leads to lots of gifts for Teacher Grace from his precious pebbles
Series
- Part 5 of Teacher Grace's Extraordinary Curriculum
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Hurry Up Tomorrow by Acewithapaintbrush
Fandoms: Project Hail Mary (2026), Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir
07 Jul 2026
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Summary
All of a sudden Len stops chirping and holds up a claw instead. It is something Teacher Grace does all the time during lessons to get their attention and the group instinctively falls silent at the sign.
It’s only then that they notice it.
The silence.
Teacher Grace hasn’t moved at all.
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Sam breaks a rule, Quinn is insufferable, Len is the voice of reason and Tori is just along for the ride.
Series
- Part 6 of Teacher Grace's Extraordinary Curriculum