It's testing time. While not all classes test, the whole school was on block schedule to accommodate those that do. For me, this meant two hour classes.
Mr. W had planned things out well, though. His 10th graders were reading Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, so we started with 40ish minutes of listening to the end of Act III (with breaks for them to answer comprehension questions). Then they had some end of act questions, some vocabulary, and then we started Act IV. We were to finish with the last half hour watching a movie version.
Not that they really watched the movie (even though it was the part where the senate murders Caesar--go to about the 49th minute to see that scene if you're interested). Nor were they really following along with the audio. But they'd rather have the video so I wasn't hassling them about answering questions.
"Let's watch the video for the last hour of class," one boy requested.
The lesson plan was clear. "We'll watch it for the last half hour."
The boy would not be dissuaded. "But the last hour will be better."
Me: "We'll watch the video for the last half hour."
Still, the boy would not take my hint. "We'd rather watch the video for the last hour."
At a certain point, I lose patience with the argument. "Okay then. We'll watch the video for the last fifteen minutes..."
"Oh, ho, ho, ho..." He saw what I was doing.
"So, the last half hour, cool?" And the argument was finished.
I don't know why they think they're going to talk me down. Do they think I'm really going to negotiate? Well, when it gets to this point, I do negotiate. Just not in the direction they'd like. (This trick works every time.)
Have you ever tried haggling with someone? How did it turn out? Have you ever read Julius Caesar?
Today's A to Z Challenge post brought to you by the letter...
Sometimes part of my job involves a kind of haggling. The key is to make sure that both of you feel like you're getting a good deal. I think it took you threatening to reduce the time spent on the movie to help him realise that he was actually getting a pretty good deal after all.
ReplyDeleteCait @ Click's Clan
I like the way you put that. I figured it was more of a threat than a promise.
DeleteSmart. I wouldn't mess with a sub like you! I probably did watch some version of Julius Caesar, but I don't remember it.
ReplyDeleteV is for Vaxxed, the movie
That's clever. I would have responded, "The lesson says to do it in the last half hour. Whether or not it's actually better is irrelevant. There's lots of things in society that are better, but we don't do them. It would be better for the environment to go with green energy, but the U.S. wants to use fossil fuels. It would be better if technology didn't have an expiration date, but capitalism relies upon forced obsolescence. It would be better to have universal health care, but that's not our system. I could go on like this for days on end. I'm glad you are looking for ways to make life better. Maybe this is a good opportunity to show you that we don't always get what we want."
ReplyDeleteThat is a good way to bargain with them. Sometimes that is about all you can do! I use that technique with Harley!!
ReplyDeleteIt's one of my favorites. It shuts them right up.
DeleteThey'll bargain on anything, won't they? And they think they will win, that's the funny thing.
ReplyDeletebetty
Ha, good way to deal with them. I don't know why he'd want to watch more of it, though I guess watching Shakespeare is better than reading it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a haggler. I find it demeaning.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's hard to believe this guy really thought he could persuade you with their "preference."
I know. It's not like lesson plans are usually student choice.
DeleteYou know, I don't recall if we had to read J. Caesar. We did have to read Shakespeare, but I can't now recall which texts.
ReplyDeleteI had a lady try to haggle with me at the charity shop I work for. I told her directly: We're a charity, we don't haggle. I find it a bit distasteful that someone would try to pay less at a shop proceeds go towards cancer research, but that's just me.
Some people will haggle over anything. Truly.
DeleteI think we all try to haggle, even my self. Not big on it anyhow I believe prices is where it need to be.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
It depends on the setting, I think.
DeleteA sneaky tactic, but it worked! I never argued with a teacher like that - is that the norm these days?
ReplyDeleteI'm with Nick. And I never liked negotiating even at flea markets. It seems rude somehow. Bless you for standing tall.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteAw! No fun! Why you gotta be so rude? :-P Plus, I'm sure watching a full hour of the movie rather than just 30 minutes of the movie would have screwed with the teacher's schedule for the next day. :( Glad you won out in the end not that I would have expected otherwise. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I figured he needed to get so far in the play so he could stay on schedule.
DeleteTeens....haha, they think they came up with all those tricks! haha....you did good. As for the frosted spray on the vase...SIMPLE, just make sure it is dry before touching so you don't leave your finger print in the frosting....esp if you are going to use the vase to kill someone by hitting them over the head..there would be that finger print!! Just wrap your rubber band how you want it , or you could make it thicker by using tape, and just spray. Once dry remove rubber band or tape. It is great.
ReplyDeleteTeens think this stuff is new. They don't realize we've heard it all before.
DeleteHi Liz - I guess they constantly argue with their parents - and thus feel they can do it with you. A good ploy from you - yes well done .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeletehttp://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/w-is-for-whistlejacket.html
Best not haggle. Might go in the wrong direction. haha
ReplyDeleteYeah, it gets them to shut up every time ;)
DeleteHeehee - works every time! We read Julius Caesar the freshman year of homeschooling my kids.
ReplyDeleteFreshman year? Wow. Did you do Romeo and Juliet too?
Deletelol! I wonder if he tried that before and it worked.
ReplyDeleteI'd assume so. Otherwise, why bother?
DeleteHaha! Great trick.
ReplyDeleteWorks every time.
DeleteI usually make out well when I haggle:) I have read Julius Caesar but when I was in high school.
ReplyDeletelol That would do it.
ReplyDelete