School has officially begun.
It was the second day of school. 7th grade math.
In this district, elementary school is kindergarten through grade six. Seventh grade is when middle school begins. So, every single student was new to the campus. And a bit lost. (Tardy sweep wasn't enforced.)
The bell was just about to ring to begin 4th period. A boy outside looked lost. He explained that he was looking for his 4th period and he wasn't sure which class it was. It might have been math.
I asked to see his schedule. He said he'd lost it.
Before I had a chance to suggest he go to the office to get a new printout, he said he was pretty sure he belonged in math. So, I let him in.
I had a few things to go over for my intro. Then I called roll. He wasn't on the list. Still, we pushed on. I went over the day's assignment and got things started.
We were a good ten to fifteen minutes into the period when the boy jerked up from the work. "Oh, I should be in art this period!"
Um, okay. Not wanting to compound his embarrassment, I quietly told him to go ahead and go. He fled the classroom, but not before every student in class was aware of what happened.
He returned 6th period. I noted it, noticed his name was on that roll sheet, and went about getting ready for class. I wasn't about to say anything and call attention to his earlier blunder. There was no reason that 6th period needed to know.
I needn't have worried. "I'm back," he announced loudly enough for the whole class to hear. "This is my math class. 4th period I had art."
Okay, then.
At least he wasn't embarrassed by the whole thing. I have a feeling this might be a story he tells for years to come.
He lost his schedule... Oops. *palmface* He really should have gone for a copy, eh?
ReplyDeleteI feel like school just ended for you! I hope you have a fantastic year and you get lots of good ideas for stories.
ReplyDeleteIt was mid-June. Then I had a few days of summer school. And the continuation high school starts a month earlier than everyone else. So, yeah, I pretty much worked my summer vacation.
DeleteIf he was all right with it, then no worries.
ReplyDeleteI would've gone to the office for a new copy.
Oh yeah, he'll tell that story constantly.
ReplyDeleteHope your school year's going well!
Brings back nightmares, LOL, of trying to be in the right class. Glad they don't enforce the tardy sweep for a bit until the kids get more familiar with things on campus.
ReplyDeletebetty
lol he probably will tell it for awhile :P
ReplyDeleteI could see that.
DeleteBeing embarrassed? That will probably wait until middle school.
ReplyDeleteYou're very kind. I like how you handled it and that he wasn't embarrassed. Seventh grade was difficult enough with cliques and bullies for me so I would have wanted to crawl under a rock. A teacher like yourself was always appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI remember what it was like. I wasn't going to compound this sort of problem.
Deletelol Oops! Those first few days at a new school/set of classes can be interesting.
ReplyDeleteMan, that sounds like an anxiety dream I'd have. It's probably good that he just rolled with it.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what suddenly triggered his memory about where he was supposed to be. Maybe he found his schedule?
ReplyDeleteHe knows how to make fun of it and likes the eyes on him. The start of a new year
ReplyDeleteThe beginnings of a class clown.
DeleteI’m surprised he made it so obvious, but the fact that he didn’t shy away from admitting a mistake about which class he was scheduled to be in makes me like him a lot.
ReplyDeleteVR Barkowski
Me too!
DeleteI can remember getting lost my first day in a new high school. It was awful!
ReplyDeleteI think I plotted out paths using a school map. That helps.
DeleteYou handled that perfectly!!! I remember in college being terrified I'd end up in the wrong class. I was so confused by it all...and they didn't have a college orientation class like they have now. Probably because I transferred there from a community college, so I missed the whole "new freshman" treatment!
ReplyDeleteI don't recall having anything helpful when I began college as a freshman. Of course, that was eons ago.
DeleteStarting a new year is always stressful!
ReplyDeleteYes it is.
DeleteWere you subbing on the first day of school?
ReplyDeleteNope. No calls for the first day this year.
DeleteI always had trouble remembering my schedule. I'd look at it for months. Then long after I was out of school, I still had dreams that I either got lost or couldn't remember which class to go to next.
ReplyDeleteI never had trouble remembering the schedule once I was used to it. I was always paranoid that I'd forget my locker combination. (Which I usually did. In April.)
DeleteIt was quiet interesting. Good way to handle kids:)
ReplyDeleteThanks
DeleteOh wow. I remember in high school having dreams about this type of thing happening to me–losing my schedule and ending up in the wrong class. It was good that he figured it out though. A little surprised he didn't just go to the office in the first place though…
ReplyDeleteThis is why I titled the post "Nightmare Fodder". And as for the office, I don't know if he knew that was an option.
DeleteThis kid sounds like me when I was younger. haha
ReplyDeleteYou were braver than me.
Delete9 months into the school year and this is totally still some of my year 7s!
ReplyDeleteToo funny. Later on in the year I'm not nearly as forgiving.
DeleteI can just picture this boy's lost look. At least he had a head start on the math class when he finally arrived for his 6th period. He's probably going to be a student that ends up being near and dear to your heart this year...
ReplyDeleteMichele at Angels Bark
If I see him again. I can never tell which classes I'm going to get on any particular day.
DeleteLol, he doesn't appear to embarrass easily, or he likes drawing attention to himself.
ReplyDeleteThat district is set up like the one I went to in Arizona. I was still in elementary school with one teacher in 6th grade. 7th grade in a new school/new state with 6 different teachers was so scary for me, I don't remember how I survived that first day...
Whichever grade it's in, it's tough. It's probably best you don't remember.
DeletePoor kid. But, he wasn't embarrassed at all to get up and head out. says a lot about him.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to more insights this year!
Should be an interesting year.
Delete