Wednesday, December 14, 2016

How to Humiliate the Sub


9th grade world geography. They had a test review to work on.

I had been warned that period 4 needed a "firm hand". They demonstrated this when they came in and milled about the room rather than finding their seats, even after having been warned the bell was about to ring. But I insisted, and they sat down.

I went after the boys who were tossing around a tennis ball (which then miraculously disappeared, never to return). I insisted they sit (and remain) in assigned seats. And then we got underway.

They were seated. They stayed seated. They had work in front of them. Success! Well...

The phone rang. The teacher next door was checking in. She was concerned. She could hear us through the shared wall.

So, yeah, they were loud.

Well, at least they weren't trashing the room. Much. (And I will have you know they did remain seated. Some days I don't even get that.)

30 comments:

  1. I hope the students couldn't hear the phone convo because that probably would only embolden them.

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  2. Got to pick your battles I guess. Seated versus loud would win in my books I think.

    betty

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  3. We only ever behaved for the nun with the ruler and the teachers who handed out punishments that actually sucked...

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    1. I do actually get classes that behave. It depends on them, though.

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  4. Wow...I wouldn't say I bad behave bad in school. I knew when to draw the line. I didn't want the school to ever to call my parents.
    Coffee is on

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    1. Ah yes, the call home. They still fear that.

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  5. Hi Liz - gosh I feel for you ... who'd have kids?! Just so frustrating for one and all ... cheers Hilary

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  6. Sounds like you got them pretty well corralled, considering.

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  7. I guess you have to look on the upside in these situations!

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  8. They must have been pretty loud. Or the walls pretty thin.

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  9. Your adventures never cease to amaze me, as in "why does she come back the next day?" Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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  10. I'd say you nailed the important items. You are one brave soul.

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    1. Nah. Brave would be if I was in any danger. Loud? That's just loud.

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  11. Too bad you can't superglue their butts to the seats and their lips together. I couldn't do your job.

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    1. Some teachers have tried similar with duct tape. It usually makes the news...

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  12. Noisey and working...I call that a result.

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  13. I just don't get it! But I guess if they were working then you can call it a success!

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    1. Some classes have two volumes: silent or stadium. It's like they're incapable of having a conversation and not talking at full volume.

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  14. The teacher next door really should have been a bit more sensitive. I would have felt demeaned. I don't like it when teachers do things like that.

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    1. Ah well, you've managed to glean something I was trying to gloss over. The teacher next door... Yeah, uh...

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  15. Obviously the teacher next door was listening too closely. She should have worn headphones that day. She knew there would be a sub. ;)

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    1. If her class had been talking, she wouldn't have noticed. But her kiddos work silently. Which makes for a nice day when I cover her classes ;)

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  16. You take what you get with some classes. Grr on the other teacher.

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