Eighth grade U.S. history. The advanced class. So, that meant no "issues" right?
Snort.
Fifth period walked in. I gave my usual intro, looking back to the board to point out where I had posted my name for their reference. That's when I noticed the projector was on.
I was not using the projector.
So, a kiddo decided it would be funny to turn the projector on. *big shrug* I went to grab the remote to turn the projector off...
The remote was missing.
(It seems like this year's eighth graders might be a bunch of kleptos.)
I asked nicely for the remote to be returned. They questioned if I was sure the remote had been taken rather than, say, I had misplaced it.
Ahem. I hadn't been using it. It was sitting, minding its own business, on the front table. They sure know how to shift blame...
So, it came time for me to demand the return of school property. (At least this time they weren't offended by my accusations.)
Naturally, no one fessed up. So, it was time to explain what was going to happen if I did not get the remote back. (This explanation comes from experience. It ends with an assistant principal coming to class to search everyone's belongings.)
Less than five minutes later, a student "found" the remote on the floor behind his desk.
Remote returned. All was well.
The culprit? Likely the boy that "found" it.
But honestly, I don't care. If the teacher wants to chase that down, I left her all the particulars, including how that boy had been near the remote at the time it went missing.
My lesson: keep a better eye on random stuff as the kiddos have been walking away with it. Especially eighth graders.
What is something you lose frequently? Do you manage to find it?
Today's A to Z Challenge post brought to you by the letter...
I lose my cell phone all the time and Sean's the one who finds it.
ReplyDeleteOf course, there is a difference between my losing it and someone deliberately taking and concealing it. And one teacher can't possibly keep an eye on everything if there's a grabby kid in the class! Another exhausting task to add to teacher's list.
I don't usually have this issue. But occasionally...
DeleteCouldn’t find my car keys this morning. They fell behind the nightstand.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they turned up.
DeleteBus pass, car key, house key...
ReplyDeleteThe usual stuff ;)
DeleteTeaching is a tough job! I lose things all the time. Sometimes it is thanks to my homeschooled kids helping themselves. At least they now few up, whereas in the past they lied. That was intolerable.
ReplyDeleteGlad they've matured to that point. It's terrible when they think they'll get away with lying.
DeleteI have so much respect for anyone who can handle the pressures of teaching. I would be screaming at these kids!
ReplyDeletehttps://iainkellywriting.com/2018/04/12/k-is-for-komarno-slovakia-and-komarom-hungary/
They weren't too terrible, at least with the exception of that kid.
DeleteOh my goodness, those kiddos! I probably misplace my earbuds most often. I have several sets, though, so if one is temperarly missing I have a spare.
ReplyDeleteGlad the remote "magically" turned up. You shouldn't have to keep an eye on everything so closely. :-/
ReplyDeleteI shouldn't. But there are those days...
DeleteI'm sure the remote crawled there on its own.
ReplyDeleteMy foray into sub teaching was about 4 months, a very long time ago. By the time I got a hang of pink slips and such, I got offered a FT job by a community-based youth group. I did not miss subbing at all. Hail to you, Brave Lady!
ReplyDeleteTypical since I remember this happening in my day. As for losing things..my mind but I seem to find it so that’s good.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I know this isn't unique to me.
DeleteI spent a few months here in China teaching English in a grade school. No kleptos of teacher property that I know of, but they often tormented each other. I had zero control of most classes, and got out of that job as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteClassroom control is hard.
DeleteI have found that they love to mess with folks....when my grandson was living with me he would do silly random stuff but not hide things from me. They are so silly at that age, and they think things like this is silly and funny. What do I misplace often~ EVERYTHING! haha...Keys, I need a clapper for my keys. Now keep in mind if you put them where they go when I come in it would not be an issue but if I have hands full when I walk it, I can sat them anywhere. Next ~ Do you you why I still have a landline? Yep, I have to use it to call my cell so I can locate that!
ReplyDeleteSome things are so easy to misplace.
DeleteGood grief. I just wanted to be left alone at that age. Well, any age, for the most part. ~grin~ I respect that you prefer quiet over music. There are times I feel the same, honestly. Right now being one, though something annoying is wafting from SO's office. ~sigh~ At least my headphones are handy. On that note, I misplace said headphones and iPod, Kindle Fire, camera, and even my laptop on a regular basis. ~shakes head~ Keys, purse, and phone are the last things I misplace. They are almost always together on a corner of my nightstand. Be well!
ReplyDeleteThat must be the first place you look for them, right?
DeleteI'm sure he thought it was a funny prank. You handled it well.
ReplyDelete~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
My A to Z’s of Dining with IC
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
Yeah, probably.
DeleteI had a collection of rocks on a table which different students had brought in for a display. A black onyx rock was nicked. I asked everyone to own up even though I knew whoo had taken in it. At lunch time a little boy found it in his school bag and brought it back to me. The little girl I suspected hated this particular boy. It was a double crime, theft and laying the blame on someone else. What a pity teachers can't process finger prints!
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of obvious when someone hides something in someone else's belongings, too. Have you noticed?
Delete