8th graders can be difficult. They will get up repeatedly to sharpen their pencils, throw away trash, or get tissue. They'll make up excuses to walk across the room--they need to discuss an assignment with a classmate or they need a pencil or they need paper. Sometimes I have to resort to draconian measures to get them to stay in their seats.
I thought it was only me.
(I've had days where the tissue runs out. Early. Because the students get multiple tissues throughout the period.)
Of course, a few students in first period started looking for the tissue early on. I mentioned that the tissues had been removed, and that's when they recalled that their teacher had told them this.
"You know, you can buy those little packs of tissues to carry in your backpacks for when you're in this class," I told them.
"But why buy tissue when you can get it in class for free?" a student asked me.
Later that day, I had to remove the pencil sharpener. Well, if there's no tissue, the students need some excuse to get up...
Today's A to Z Challenge post brought to you by the letter...
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Oh my word! Yes, I remember those days as a teacher. They wanted a drink, a snack, a bathroom break, a tissue break, a vacation, an ibuprofen... !! Just chalk it all up and throw it in your writing. You'll laugh about it later:)
ReplyDeleteThat's why I blog...
DeleteI don't remember tissue issues. But bathroom passes were always a problem for me when I was subbing. Everyone needs to go somehow.
ReplyDeleteTrue. That's why I write down names of every student who leaves the room. When they learn that, it tones it down somewhat.
DeleteUm, yeah! I mean, you HAVE to stretch your legs. ;)
ReplyDeleteTrue Heroes from A to Z
Oh my. Some Republican will get a hold of that message and say, "Look...our youth are being taught that why do something if it is provided for free. This is exactly why we can't afford (as a country) to support socialism of any kind. Enough with the handouts. Get these lazy goodfernuthins to work!"
ReplyDeleteA school system here tried putting bicycle desks in one of their classrooms. I think it was high school, though! The kids bicycled while they learned. That might work off some of that energy...
ReplyDeleteThat would be a great idea! Especially in the middle school.
Deletelol, wow, kids eh...I love your blog
ReplyDeleteHow bad must students be to lose nose blowing privileges? Enjoy allergy season, disobedient kids!
ReplyDeleteHa-ha. Smart students!
ReplyDeleteShells–Tales–Sails
Well, not so smart when they forgot the tissue wasn't in the one class... They'll just have to get extra from another teacher.
DeleteI was the good kid so I never used any excuse, LOL, but son, on the other hand, used every excuse in the book; his favorite was the have to go to the bathroom one :)
ReplyDeletebetty
Believe it or not, almost all students in Japan remain seated throughout the class, listening to ..., or pretending to be listening to, the teacher, though there are a very small number of students with special needs who cannot remain seated for 50 minutes or so.
ReplyDeleteTeachers here do not usually provide tissue for students.
See, we're doing it all wrong here...
DeleteWhen I taught at the local community college, I actually had students come to my desk looking for tissues. I told them this isn't a hotel.
ReplyDeleteWendy at Jollett Etc.
It's amazing how many people come up to the reference desk at a public library requesting tissues. I keep a small travel pack in my desk drawer. It makes it obvious that the library doesn't provide tissues and they should either bring their own or use toilet paper.
ReplyDeleteThe schools are ruining the youth. They seem to think one can get tissue anywhere.
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