Tuesday. Seventh grade English. Sixth period.
The day had gone pretty well. But the instructional assistant warned me of one kiddo in period six. His seat was separate from the class for reasons. Okay, then.
As I was getting the class going, the IA reminded Enzo of where his seat was. In the back, next to the door. I recognized Enzo; he had been in the art class (well, likely still is).
The class settled into the assignment. They were reading something and answering questions. But laughter floated from Enzo's corner of the room. The table near to Enzo was enjoying Enzo's antics. Deep sigh.
But then, that section of the room erupted in exclamations of horror. Enzo had farted, and they did not like the smell. I did the only thing I could. I ignored this.
Enzo asked to use the restroom.
Later, when the class had calmed down, and the table near Enzo seemed to be working, Enzo asked if he could go outside.
My initial answer: no. But then I considered.
So, I went over to Enzo and asked him why. Yeah, he needed to fart again.
Yes, please, take that nonsense outside.
Enzo got no work done. If he had spent half the energy doing the assignment that he spent avoiding the assignment, he would have been done. But no.
Alas, some of them never learn that particular lesson.
At least we didn't have a repeat of the stench from earlier in the period.
That sounds so familiar. I have two majoryly ADHD kids and I tell them if they'd just harness their superpower and focus for five minutes, they would have the rest of the day free. Unfortunately, that only works once in every thirty assignments. But, it does happen. I think they key is coming to a place where they are personally motivated. Which is tricky. And not really likely in a classroom full of distractions.
ReplyDeleteOh no!
ReplyDeleteThis whole scene could've been taken directly from my own classroom—isolation desk, farting, and all.
ReplyDeleteAnd no. Some of them really do never learn that lesson.
There's always one. Hopefully just one. The "class clown," I remember them. So disruptive.
ReplyDeleteAnd at that age the rest of the class finds them entertaining. When the rest of the class is over that craziness is when the clown stops disrupting class.
Delete