It was the kind of math class where I had the students for two periods, because the students needed extra help with math. So, naturally, none of them really wanted to be there. Which, of course, means that I was spending all my time on behavior issues rather than getting any time, really, to spend on math.
The boy introduced himself as Juan. And I spent much of that first period with them calling on him. Not to answer any questions. I just wanted him to settle down so I could go over the assignment with the class.
He wasn't the only one, of course, but just one of the most vocal.
Between their first period in class and second, they had lunch. Upon returning from lunch, I went back over the roll to make sure all the students had returned.
"Caleb?"
"Juan" answered.
It was then I remembered "Juan" from a previous class. He had told me to call him Juan then, too. Juan is not his middle name either (his middle initial is not J).
No wonder the rest of the class had so much fun calling him Juan. Oh well, whatever.
But for the second class, he was done with Juan. He said to call him Julio.
Okay, fine. I'll call him whatever he likes (well, within reason). I just had to make sure to call him Caleb in my note (for the not settling in class, not for using a different name).
Hi Liz - I think I'd give up .. my patience would be severely tried - good luck and well done to you for holding it together ... have a good weekend .. Hilary
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness!!
ReplyDeleteNever a dull moment.
DeleteHehe, I love your last paragraph. Getting his name right in the note to the teacher is definitely the most important thing. :-)
ReplyDeleteYup.
DeleteI never understood the game where you pretend you have a different name for the sub, because how are you supposed to remember? Which is pretty much what happened to this kid.
ReplyDeleteNever a dull moment for you for sure!!!
ReplyDeletebetty
Oh my, the things you have to go through lol! At least you caught on ;)
ReplyDeleteHe was only being disruptive in a class of disrupters. Nothing big.
DeleteHa! Sounds like you have your work cut out for you. I wonder what name he will want to be called next.
ReplyDeleteDoes he have a personality disorder? Or he is being a little smartie.
ReplyDeleteThe second one. I'm not worried about his mental health.
DeleteAt least you know he doesn't have a twin! I wonder if he would take it well if you tease him for "forgetting" his name.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is I don't retain names. He was assuming I remembered his. I didn't.
DeleteOh my. The stories you tell! Brings back memories from my teaching days.
ReplyDeleteIt's what keep the blog going...
DeleteThis is why I moved to the university classroom. I wasn't as patient as high school or grade school teachers have to be.
ReplyDeleteYeah, well, it's good for stories.
DeleteHoney, sweetheart, love, matey, darlin', all better than 'you with the chip on your shoulder'
ReplyDeleteHe's the reason people use these names.
DeleteI think he might have just been having fun with the Sub. At least it's all sorted out.
ReplyDeleteOf course. This sort of thing doesn't bother me, which is probably why this job hasn't sent me to the mental institution yet.
DeleteWhatever makes him happy, I guess! It could be a way to torture the sub, but it's possible he just likes having a different name for a little while. Although it also sounds like he might be showing off for his classmates a little...
ReplyDeleteWhen they're torturing the sub, they use names that aren't really classroom appropriate. Juan? That's a harmless enough name to go by.
DeleteI think you have to be extremely patient and easy going to be a teacher. I am not.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a special kind of awesome to brush it off sometimes. Way to roll with it and move on.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he really hates his name. I spent lots of time as a teenager trying to get people to call me by different names that I liked better.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it could be. I know one girl who always makes sure that we call her something completely different than her name. I wonder if she'll grow to like hers.
DeletePeople are so curious. They just do such odd things. At least it's harmless this time around, right? :)
ReplyDelete