Thursday, July 2, 2015

Talking to Myself, I Guess


It's #ThrowbackThursday, and from the way-back files I find this entry from April 11, 2011. It amazes me how often things like this happen.

It was a math class. 6th period (naturally). 8th graders.

The assignment was a worksheet. They were to plot points. When the points were connected, a robot appeared on the graph paper. The worksheet was due at the end of the period.

The teacher had written the assignment on the board: "Agenda: worksheet. Due at the end."

I told the class the assignment was due at the end of the period. I passed out the worksheet. I gave directions. Then I repeated that I would be collecting the worksheet at the end of the period.

Most of the class got to work. This surprised me as previous classes had done more playing around than working. I walked around the room, and most of them seemed to be doing what they were supposed to be doing. (A working 6th period? Amazing!)

Then I came up on two girls. They were talking. One girl had nothing written on her worksheet except for her name. I told her she should get to work. She explained that her father helped her with her homework, so she was waiting to take the worksheet home to have him help her with it.

I again explained that the worksheet was due at the end of the period.

She was surprised.

What's the expression? Facepalm. Headdesk. Yeah, all of those.

I really don't know what else to do. Some of them just don't listen.

19 comments:

  1. I guess she require a brick to the head for it to sink in.

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  2. This sounds like my kids when I try to talk to them while they're fiddling on their ipads or watching TV. It's a waste of time.

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  3. They hear only what they want to hear.

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  4. How much more plainer could it have been presented. You gave instructions, teacher wrote it on board. This shouldn't have come as that big of a surprise to her.

    betty

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    1. It doesn't matter how plain I make it, some will still miss it. Happens every time.

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  5. I think kids do hear only what they want to hear.

    Sunni
    http://sunni-survivinglife.blogspot.com/

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  6. I might have said something sarcastic like, "Well, in that case, why don't you call your father and have him help you right now before class ends?"

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    Replies
    1. Oh, but they take things so literally. She might just have pulled out her phone and done just that.

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  7. It's selective hearing at its best. Drives me mental too!

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  8. You must have the patience of a saint! And I'm surprised you have any hair left!

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  9. You have a lot more patience than I do. Some things never change, and you have to deal with it, year after year. I wonder what ever happened to the student who couldn't do the assignment without the help of a parent. Sad. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. I have no idea. Which means that she didn't end up at the continuation high school, so there is that.

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  10. Oh, good Lord. I could never teach!

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