12 grade English. 1st period. The bell rang. Students milled around retrieving their materials. While the room was in transition, I called roll.
Once they were settled, I went into my opening remarks. I told them what was due. I gave them the list of all the assignments that needed to be completed by the end of the week.
As I went through what I had to tell them, a student walked in. Then another. A bit of time after that, another. Tardy, but at least they made it. I noticed their arrival, but I didn't stop my instructions to the class as a whole.
Once I no longer needed their attention and released them to their independent work, I asked for who had walked in late. So I could make sure to mark them "present" on the roll. (Well, they'd be marked "tardy", but that's better than being marked "absent".) Two piped up right away and gave me their names. But where was the third?
I identified him pretty quickly. (He had been absent the previous day, so he did not have the assignment I'd passed out.) I asked him if he'd been late. He told me that he had been on time.
Funny. I had him marked absent on my roll sheet. (And if I hadn't questioned him, he would have been entered into the online roll as absent.)
I don't know if he actually thought he'd convince me he was on time and I'd mark him as such. Perhaps he just needs to believe that walking into a room where class has already started is "on time". Whatever.
Well, at least he was there. I can remember students dropping their stuff on their desk before class, leaving, then coming back half way through class and making the argument they were there on time. They’d just stepped out to use the bathroom.
ReplyDeleteVR Barkowski
Remember, teens think they are smarter than adults.
ReplyDeleteLOL on Alex's remark. Do they get any penalties if they have too many tardies?
ReplyDeletebetty
Yes. A couple don't make a difference, but when the problem becomes chronic, there's an escalating set of consequences.
DeleteAccountability. They obviously have not learned that word. You have more patience than I could ever...
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the many reasons they ended up at the continuation high school.
DeleteAll I can do is praise you for putting up with these spoiled brats!!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't call them spoiled. Some of them have had it rough. Spoiled, in my opinion, would mean that they had parents that found a way for them to not end up at the continuation high school.
DeleteSpoiled in my mind just means they have no manner. No ability to follow the rules. By this age they should have learned that you are lying when you are saying "you were on time" if you weren't. Lots of people have it rough nowadays and don't act like some of your stories show these kids act! That's all I meant by spoiled. Sorry!!
DeleteOh. Then yes, he was definitely spoiled.
DeleteAnd it's true, just because someone has it rough doesn't mean he has any right to act like an entitled idiot. There are plenty of people with tragic stories who overcome and do very well.
As Alex said, they think they are smarter. Think. When they reach your or my ages, then they will know.
ReplyDeleteTrue. Sometimes we all wish stupidity was more painful.
DeleteTeens think they can get away with anything. Smh. There was no point in lying. It actually would've been worse for him if he stayed marked as absent.
ReplyDeleteYep. And can you imagine the wailing he'd have done if he was marked absent?
DeleteHe probably thought he could get away with it, not taking the whole being marked absent thing into consideration. That might take more forethought than he's used to.
ReplyDeleteOh my this kid thinks he knows all and that roll call is stupid. He will love pumping gas for a living
ReplyDelete