Oh, how I hate fire drills!
The class had a video. I got it started right away. Surprisingly, everything worked the first time. And I had just settled in for the period when an announcement came over the PA. I paused the video...
The principal was doing his usual spiel before a fire drill. But no one told me there was a fire drill...
I pulled out my sunglasses. Looked about for and found the emergency envelope (that every classroom has). And that's when it was time to evacuate.
We followed the crowd. The emergency envelope had a map of where each class was supposed to line up, so I found the spot for our room easily. And I waited. And waited.
No one from my class made it to our spot. Ummm...
By the time the thing was over and we went back to class, I was ready to read them the riot act. Where were they?
"Where were you?"
Turns out that they had no idea where we were supposed to meet. And since I hadn't known there was a fire drill, I hadn't had time to do my usual spiel about the purpose of these things and where we were to line up.
Ahem.
Okay, then. Time for a "learning moment".
Me: "So, we're in a real emergency, and you have no idea where to meet your teacher. How might you figure out where your teacher is?"
When I put it to them like that, several came up with good solutions. They were freshmen. I don't think they had considered the issue before.
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You'd think the other teachers would've prodded the meandering students to go find their teacher.
ReplyDeleteThat is kind of scary. My question: Are the teachers supposed to be able to account for each student?
ReplyDeleteI don’t mind fire drills. At work there was a period of time when bomb threats were the rage.
LOL, at the time it wasn't funny, but it was funny to read about it now. I remember the teachers always going over what to do in a fire drill (probably every month, LOL). I like how you turned it into a learning experience for them to see how they would problem solve if they didn't know where to go.
ReplyDeletegetty
I'd've been more upset if it had been an actual emergency. As it was, I knew I'd have them back in class soon enough...
Deleteoops, obviously I hit publish before I proofread. I do think the name getty could be an interesting one
ReplyDeletebetty
I can't tell you how many times I make similar errors.
DeleteAnd M is for Midway point of A to Z! Thanks for your continued participation!
ReplyDeleteStephen Tremp
A to Z Cohost
M is for Movies
Glad to be here.
DeleteSometimes fire drills are a nice way to break up the day, hehe. But usually they seem to be scheduled for the days when it's either really cold or raining. And you're not supposed to grab your coat or anything on the way out!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have that problem. Most kids exit with all their stuff on their backs. (And if there's a chance of rain, the drill gets cancelled.)
DeletePerfect learning moment! I wouldn't have thought of doing that, but I'm not a teacher ;) I had a friend tell me about a safety class she took at her daughter's preschool and this class went over, "what to do if you lose mommy." I realized I had never had that conversation with my own kids and if they got lost, they'd really be lost.
ReplyDeleteYou can find me here:
ClarabelleRant
What a great idea. Little kids really need that information.
DeleteWe only have a drill about once a year at my current job but at a previous job in Australia we did them monthly. The worst part was the loud sirens of the alarmed doors when you exited.
ReplyDeleteSean at His and Her Hobbies
How did they not know where they were supposed to meet? Have they never had a fire drill before?
ReplyDeleteI used to hate fire drills. Until one night while working at the hospital on the 11 p to 7 a shift the fire alarms went off...ugh another fire drill..nope it was the real thing and the fire was on the same floor where I was working. We evacuated an entire wing of the hospital. It was scary as hell....I paid attention to all fire drills after that one!!
ReplyDeleteWe've had to evacuate after earthquakes before, but as those have been minor, they felt much like fire drills.
DeleteI was recently at my son's school (he's in kindergarten) and they were having trouble with the fire alarm in the cafeteria. While I was there, the fire alarm went off THREE times. Yes, three. We did the first two drills but by the third one, the principal came over the loudspeaker and told everyone to remain in their classrooms. It was awful!!
ReplyDeleteOne of the schools I sub at has a similar problem. Now, when the fire alarm goes off, no one moves. We wait for the, "Please disregard the fire alarm". Happens every time.
DeleteI don't teach or have a child in school any more, but I hate fire drills at work. They held one in the middle of a tropical storm, with rain pouring down - not great timing. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteYou'd think they'd cancel and reschedule...
DeleteI used to get SO annoyed when I worked in government and they'd evacuate our building, whether it was for a fire drill or real bomb threat (those happened a lot, especially after 9/11). You try to take each one seriously but the whole thing always took forever and not once was it ever anything real--oh wait...once there was a fire in a trash can somewhere that was put out but only after it had set off the alarms.
ReplyDeleteWe've been evacuated for earthquakes, but those were so minor it was more like a drill than an emergency.
DeleteI HATED fire and earthquake drills. My classroom was one of several portables at the far end of the school, so we had a flashing LED light coupled with shrill WE-WO. By the time all was done, I was ready to curl up in a fetal position with a migraine.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your experience.
Oh, yikes! I hate it when the alarm is that loud. And blaring. I feel for you. I only get that sometimes.
ReplyDeleteWOW. You are getting a lot of comments, and knitting quickly. Unless you started all the letters a long time ago? Or it's not as time-consuming as I thought?
ReplyDeleteI just learned a piece of trivia that might interest you: Bane, in the Dark Knight movies, knits!
Anyway, what were their suggestions for the fire drill? I'm amazed you got helpful info from a high school freshman.
Gift card holders: I started really working on them in January. The goal was to complete 2 a week. They don't take quite that long to do (I figured 2 a week was easily manageable).
DeleteFire drill: I thought they should ask other teachers. They suggested asking security (a very good suggestion).
Oh my-it seems there was a communication break down every where. I hate fore drills-always did
ReplyDeleteMy fire drill days are long gone, but I don't remember there ever being any confusion. At least it WAS just a drill and it led to you having a good teaching opportunity.
ReplyDeleteVisit me at: Life & Faith in Caneyhead
I am Ensign B of Tremps' Troops
with the A to Z Challenge
True. Although, the fires that the school has had to evacuate for were minor--the kiln for the ceramics class got out of control.
DeleteSounds like you made the best of a bad situation.
ReplyDeleteYvonne
I think that's somewhere in my job description ;)
DeleteWell now they know. All good. I remember the ducking under the desks in case of being bombed in the 60s. That's was something...
ReplyDeleteWe still duck and cover. Earthquake preparedness. Although, in an actual earthquake no one actually ducks and covers...
DeleteI don't think anyone likes them, especially when you have to wait out in the cold. I suppose they are necessary though, as long as they're properly organised!
ReplyDeleteFire drills are necessary but do take a lot of time. I love your idea of knitted gift voucher pouches, they are so cute.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteOops so excited about the pouches I forgot to tell you I've given your blog a shout out from my letter N today https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you turned it into a learning moment for the kids so that they could think through for themselves what to do in an emergency. Fire drills were great when the weather was nice. It was a good escape from class. I also remember doing tornado drills where we had to hunker down under our desks. Cheers- Ellen
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a student, I hated them. I always thought I'd get lost, so I'd look for a student from my class and follow close behind.
ReplyDeleteThat would work, so long as the student knew where he/she was going. Kind of like Zen driving, I suppose.
DeleteI understand that fire drills are necessary, but they're also kind of a pain. I'm supposed to be the last person out of our office and let building security know it's empty, so I spend a lot of time arguing with people that yes, they do actually have to leave, even if it's just a drill.
ReplyDeleteI have to be the last one out of the classroom, but no student argues with me about leaving.
DeleteThis just cracks me up. I can just see a great MG story coming out of your experience. Where are those kids?!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, that could be funny.
DeleteNot a fan of fire drills!
ReplyDeleteI recall the fire alarm going off in class and the English teacher looked confused.
ReplyDeleteShe said she had not been told of a fire drill. It took her a few moments to decide to act on the alarm and have us file out. Luckily we were not in the main building , we were in a unit outside so we were at no risk..and even luckier , it was a false alarm.
When the alarm goes off we're supposed to think it's an actual emergency. But more often than not, it's a false alarm. Ah well...
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