The things I learn while subbing...
So, there's this sponge thing that if you (and by "you" I mean an African-American teenage boy) apply it to your hair, it creates a soft spiky hairstyle. (I wanted to post pictures, but I don't take pictures in class, and I couldn't find one that I could reuse, so you'll just have to follow this link to see what I'm talking about. Or Google: curl sponge.)
I learned about this last Monday when two boys spent the entire first period using this sponge rather than doing their assignment. Well, they did a little of their assignment. (It was a special ed. study hall, so there wasn't that much to do.)
I had them in class again fifth period, only this time it was an algebra class. They didn't get a whole lot done then, either. (They spent the entire period copying the definitions--something that should have taken five minutes tops.) So, I left their names in my note.
Last Wednesday I had a roving assignment. Sixth period was special ed. biology. And I recognized more than half the class from Monday. Including one of those boys.
He didn't look happy to see me.
In fact, he looked kinda pissed off. Muttered something along the lines of, "Not her".
Me thinks there were some consequences for his lack of work on Monday...
His behavior Wednesday? Well, the friend wasn't in class. They were watching a movie (stuff about the ocean). And I had an instructional assistant who knew him. So, the fact that he sat quietly and kept to himself could be attributed to any of those factors.
But this is why I leave names in my notes. Not so much for punishment (for if they go over-the-top I just send them out). It's more to let them know that their actions do have consequences. And that makes future days with me easier.
A couple of you have wondered that we are still in school. Yes, we are. Another week and a half to go. Those of you who are already out of school--you get out EARLY. Of course, you also start back early, so it evens out in the end.
Never heard of sponging the hair.
ReplyDeleteIn less than two weeks, you can breathe easy!
I actually like the school schedule that most of California does when you get out middle of June and go back after Labor Day. I don't like when the kids get out beginning of May and go back in August or earlier. Some parents like the modified year round schedule like where we used to live where they have about 7 weeks of summer but then get a lot of time off during the year for fall break, winter break, etc.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of the sponge either for the hair, but I do know that African American people do have problems at times with their hair and managing it.
Always an adventure for you in the classroom! But I agree, it is good to do the notes like you do. A student needs to respect the substitute teacher.
betty
I don't think students will ever respect the substitute teacher, but that's okay. It means I have an endless supply of blog posts.
DeleteHmm sponging hair. That's interesting. I think people care too much these days (young and middle-aged) about their appearance.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of hair sponges but found it very interesting to follow your links. Every time I read one of your posts I once again sing praises to teachers everywhere. What in the world is wrong with kids?? My generation would have gone to the wood shed if we had acted like that in school. We get out early here in Kansas, but we do go back in mid-August. I don't know if there is an ideal time to get out and go back. Whatever works for everyone. I think they should have more than 185 days of school!!
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind that I write about the "interesting" things that happen. Some days the kiddos do their work, are respectful, and say nice things to me. Those are days that I don't blog about.
DeleteWe started a week earlier this past school year, so, yes, we got out a week early. I'm already looking forward to them going back:) You must have a lot of patience dealing with so many kids!
ReplyDeleteI don't know about patience. I just don't take them seriously.
DeleteNot her! The sub who writes us up if we don't do our work!
ReplyDeleteLate starts and ends to the school year is normal around here. Because of all the snow days, school here is almost into July :)
I had never heard of the hair sponge thing - that's pretty cool! Obviously not when you're trying to teach though ;-)
ReplyDeleteI was fascinated by the thing, but I do hate it when they groom in class. (Girls putting on makeup set my teeth on edge.)
DeleteJust wait until these kids finish school and get out in the real workforce. They won't be sponging their hair when they should be working that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteI hope they'll one day be gainfully employed.
DeleteI am a week and a half out from our winter break!
ReplyDeleteCongrats. How long is your winter break?
DeleteI tried to visit your blog, but it was blocked, saying only friends could join?
3 weeks (but I am on campus most of the first week with my Seniors). Livejournal is a big funky, only accepts friend requests from other livejournal accounts i think, i used it as my name here because i don't have ANY of the other options (and there isn't a guest log in), there is nothing in it anymore really.
DeleteI'll have to check on that and make some changes. I thought I had more enabled. Sorry about that. I don't allow anonymous as those comments can be weird.
DeleteIt's sounds so typical. Kids behave badly and get upset with the person who calls them on it. Never heard of a hair sponge though!
ReplyDeleteKids in my area (NJ) are still in public school, too. I don't think much gets done the last 2 weeks....
ReplyDeleteNo, not a heck of a lot...
DeleteOh wow! Schools let out here in Nashville about a month ago, I think? A friend asked me to send some books to his girlfriend who is a schoolteacher and I sent it the next week, not realizing that would be too late. She's saving them for early August, when they return. (Most of us who get out early go back ridiculously early, so it all evens out!)
ReplyDeleteSchool starts in early August? Yep, that's early. I believe they start up again August 31st, and the kiddos are complaining that's too early. (It's usually right around Labor Day, so it's not really that early.)
DeleteI never heard of a sponge that can curl hair. Weird.
ReplyDeleteYup, my nephews have been out of school for a week and two days.
So, not that much earlier than us.
DeleteI will have to check out the sponge hair. They always think they can get off easy when someone is subbing. This happened when I was a kid. Once they know you mean business they settle down...a bit. Yes only 2 weeks left-You must be counting the days
ReplyDeleteI don't think this trend has hit Minneapolis yet where this is the first week of school being off for the summer. Which reminds me that I really should read the summary of changes to the summer reading program...
ReplyDeleteI never heard of sponging the hair either. I can't believe that kids would do that in the classroom and hope they were talked to by the regular teacher. Glad you wrote their names down.
ReplyDeleteSunni
http://sunni-survivinglife.blogspot.com/
There are girls who put on makeup in class every day, so the hair thing doesn't surprise me.
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