Yup, another day in summer school...
11th grade English. Some of them were doing more talking than working. For the third time, I went over to insert myself into the conversation. I asked, "How's the work going?"
The group was centered around Terrence...
Yes, I do mean Terrence from the continuation high school. And no, I was not at the continuation high school.
The continuation high school is closed until August. But they allow their students to go back to their "home" schools to attend summer school where they can earn up to 15 credits. I was at the continuation high school when they were signing up for summer school, so I was not surprised to run into some of them. Although, I would have thought Terrence wouldn't attend.
You should have seen the look on Terrence's face when he walked into class and saw me. Oh, and he was late...
Anyway, I was hovering, hoping that Terrence would do some work. He brought up the "Flipping Starbursts" incident.
"Didn't you call that 'Rolling Starbursts'?" I asked.
Terrence regaled the class with tales of how mad Mr. J was the next day...
"You told me he didn't care," I reminded him. He said Mr. J wouldn't care at the time, and when I saw him next, he said he hadn't gotten into trouble over the incident.
Then the group (all non-continuation high school students) wanted to know all about this game. And considering I was curious, too, I listened in.
They each started with two or three Starbursts. The player would toss one. If it landed opening side (where the paper folds over, so where you go to get at the candy) down, he'd win another Starburst. If it landed opening side up, he lost his Starburst. Terrence said by the end they'd all ended up with 10 or more Starbursts.
(There were only four in the game, so they must have replenished when someone lost.)
Terrence did turn in work, although it looked sloppily done. Ah well. At least I wasn't the enemy this time.
I'm glad he's there. Seems like a good sign. Nice you weren't the enemy. Hope today is going well.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice not to be the enemy for once. Although, when he walked in...
DeleteIf a continuation student really wanted to graduate asap, then this would be the right path, yes?
ReplyDeleteI remember how I regarded continuation high Ss when I was in high school. Did the other Ss think he was cool, scary or...?
I didn't notice a reaction. It seems like the other students are okay with him, but most of the ones who were okay with him were also continuation high school students. If anyone was worried about him, they didn't show it.
DeleteAh, a repeat offender. But it sounds like he's starting to take things seriously
ReplyDeleteI don't know. He didn't really get all that much done when I was there...
DeleteIf only he could discover that you are never actually his enemy. I guess that's asking too much.
ReplyDeleteIt is. He's decided he's right and I'm wrong. *deep sigh*
DeleteWouldn't it be easier just to do the work?
ReplyDeleteAny game where you can win candy sounds good in my book.
ReplyDeleteThey will find anything to make out of a game not to do the work :)
ReplyDeletebetty
The sad thing is I knew a kid who was a continual behavior problem from very early on in school. Didn't graduate, and ended up in jail for drugs.
ReplyDeleteSad story, but all too common. Schools try, but some students fall through the cracks. Students need advocates, and some just don't have them.
DeleteHAHA...I would love to see his face! Welcome to class Terrence! And to think, summer school and still no work.
ReplyDeleteOh, he was not pleased...
DeleteHe was probably like omg when he walked in *snort*
ReplyDeleteHe so was.
DeleteA bad penny always turns up, but what about a bad Starburst? Something to ponder.
ReplyDeleteThere's a strategy I read that if you let kids have 5 minutes to talk their heads off about the weekend/football etc at the beginning of a Monday morning they will pay more attention later. You just proved it worked in a way.
ReplyDeleteI've tried that before. It's never worked for me. But I'm not their regular teacher, so that might be part of it.
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