The things teens latch onto...
I was at the continuation high school covering that school's equivalent of a learning center. Any RSP student could go there for extra help, and over the course of the day several did. But like the Learning Center at other schools, some of them needed a push to get on task.
"Have you heard of the Charlie Charlie Challenge?"
Not then, but unfortunately now I am very familiar with it. (LINKS: CNN's take. Time's take.)
I forbade it in class, but they're not good with the listening. They'd start. I'd stop them. But 6th period was my prep, so that's what they did while I wasn't there.
(Briefly: They balance two pencils over a paper that has "yes" and "no" written on it. Then they ask it questions. Apparently there are lots and lots of videos, so if you want more information about the fad, Google it. It's everywhere now.)
7th period they were all freaked out.
"Your phone's in the trash." The instructional assistant (IA) informed a student. He did go "digging in the trash" for that. (Teens do have priorities.)
How did it get in there?
Another student: "Charlie did it!"
Sure. I'm certain some fictional spirit took your cell phone and threw it in the trash because you did not "close" correctly. /sarcasm
The boy looked for a logical explanation. Perhaps it fell out of his pocket when he leaned over? Except he keeps the phone in the other pocket.
The whole room erupted in chaos. "We're haunted," they said.
The bell rang to end the day. The kiddos escaped the horror.
The IA turned to me. She indicated that the boy's phone has been precariously perched on the desk over the trash can. She heard it fall in...
So, yeah, no Charlie. I officially detest this "game".
It's a really dumb game. Maybe you could work it to your advantage?
ReplyDeleteNever heard of this, which could be a good thing I think. It makes you want to confiscate all their cell phones at the beginning of the period and they don't get them back until the end of the period.
ReplyDeletebetty
Unfortunately, they don't need their phones for this, and they've already seen it, so they're ready to try it out. Sigh.
DeleteI saw this on TV the other night! It reminded me of the Ouija board that we used when I was in high school. We all believed it too! We were so dumb!! Now teachers will need to take all their pencils away from them. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI did call it the current Ouija board in class. And now the kids are itching to try that.
DeleteI hadn't thought of the pencil thing. Maybe this is a clever ruse to get out of having to write stuff down? Make the teachers confiscate the pencils... It has possibilities.
I'd never heard of that. Seems like you could turn that around on them somehow!
ReplyDeleteBe glad you haven't seen it in action. If you can figure out a way to turn it around on them, let me know. I'd love ideas.
DeleteThat's been all over Tumblr lately. Everyone under 18 is totally obsessed with it. Don't even try telling them it's not real because they'll just roll their eyes.
ReplyDeleteYou should record a video of them and ten email it to them in ten years. They'll be so embarrassed.
Never heard of this game .. boy, am I behind or what. I officially detest it too now.
ReplyDeleteNo, not behind. This just means you're not a teenager who spends all her time on YouTube (or Tumblr apparently).
DeleteReminds me of the Ouija board we used as teens. We freaked ourselves out over it a few times, but mostly we used it to ascertain who fancied who (because of course that's the best way to find out!) ;-)
ReplyDeleteYep, it's total Ouija board stuff, just with different tools.
DeleteReminds me of a magic 8-ball, but that's more fun. These fads do tend to eat up the entire attention span of kids, once they get going!
ReplyDeleteIt's just a low tech Ouija board. A flirt with the dark side. Unfortunately, any time people flirt with the dark side, some will fall head long into it, never to emerge.
ReplyDeleteLife & Faith in Caneyhead
The kids at my school have been doing it too! How has it caught on so quickly here in Australia? That's weirder than conjuring evil demons. Usually we're way behind what's happening in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteIt's on YouTube. Apparently YouTube gets everywhere at the same time.
DeleteLove reading your posts. It's the way I keep up with all my teenage nephews and nieces. They are going to be so impressed that I know what 'Charlie, Charlie' is!
ReplyDeleteOh my! It’s kinda creepy actually. As long as it doesn’t influence these impressionable kids to do something harmful or extreme I suppose it will just be another passing fad.
ReplyDeleteis now the time to introduce stephen king's book on writing?
ReplyDeleteSorry, I don't get the reference. I mean, I've heard of the book, but I *ahem* haven't read it yet *hangs head in shame*
DeleteThis game sounds very stupid and silly. I have no words about this silliness:)
ReplyDelete