I was back at the continuation high school. Yes, their school year starts early. (They get extra weeks off at Christmas and Easter, so don't feel too sorry for them.)
It was the computer aided drafting class. Some were making better use of their time than others.
Near the end of fifth period, a student remarked, "You were my sub for Mr. T's class in summer school."
Students end up at the continuation high school because they need to make up credits. They are strongly encouraged to attend the summer school of the traditional high schools in the district, because they can pick up as many as 15 credits. (They need 220 credits to graduate.) So, I was not that surprised to see some of the students I had seen not too long ago.
This boy had been in the class with the sleeper.
The sleeper slept for Mr. T, too. Mr. T called him "Ten Minutes", because apparently he would sleep those two hours every day only waking the last ten minutes of class. Then he'd scribble something on a paper and turn it in.
I have a feeling summer school was a waste of time for the sleeper.
Apparently, Mr. T went over my sub note with the class. (Some teachers do this. It's a learning opportunity for the students. They get to learn what got reported so that in future they can behave better for subs.) And the sleeper's dishonorable mention was talked about.
That's when the student who related this story piped up. He told Mr. T he was probably mentioned in my note for being on his phone.
I vaguely recalled this student. I can't recall if I asked him to put away his phone or not. But it was clear he was working. So, he didn't reach the threshold necessary for me to feel he belonged in the note.
(If I asked him to put away his phone and he did, I don't feel the need to report it. If he was listening to music or occasionally doing something on the phone while working--phone as background--I don't feel the need to report it. I only report phone usage when that's all they're doing, and after multiple warnings to do something, they don't.)
Mr. T informed the student that I hadn't reported him. "I owned myself," he told me.
Yup. That's the best thing about detailed notes to the teacher. Students tend to assume more is in them, and they do the work for me.
(Oh, and the sleeper? Was also in class with me on this day. Yup, he's a student at the continuation high school, too. And no, he didn't sleep in class. He didn't do any work, either.)
I think it's natural tendency to think every little thing about yourself is noticed. I know my kids expect that of me and are shocked when, no, I didn't notice they had two different socks on!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah. Teens are so hyper fixated on themselves that they don't realize that most of us are ignoring them.
DeleteI think schools should take outtings to go and visit homeless camps with the message, "Do you smell that? Do you see how these people are living? Maybe you'll study a bit harder then so you don't end up like this." That's what's missing from schools: fear of the future.
ReplyDeleteI think its good that the teacher shares the sub notes. Hopefully like you said, it might help in the future for the kids to behave as they should in class and do the work assigned to them.
ReplyDeletebetty
'I owned myself.' Ha. Sub notes shared in class seem to be very helpful!
ReplyDeleteThey can be.
DeleteWell, at least you gave him a guilt complex.
ReplyDeleteYou know, some of these kids make me wonder what is going on at home. I wonder if the sleeper gets any sleep at home, or enough, or if he/she works a night job, or if the neighbors are loud, or if they have to help with a younger sibling who doesn't sleep through the night...
ReplyDeleteTen minutes. That's a good name. Also, hopefully that kid will learn to keep his mouth shut :)
ReplyDeleteWow! That is a lot of credits. We only need 26 here to graduate. Maybe we count different!
ReplyDeleteWe must. Credits work by hours they attend class in a week per semester. So, each class is worth 5 credits a semester. 10 credits a year. With six classes a day, students should earn 60 credits a year. They need 220 to graduate.
Delete(It must be a state thing. It was the same for me back when I was in high school.)
We've got all this technology doing stuff for us now, do we even have to use our brains to do duh what? ah geeze I can feel the zzzz's coming on already, lol.
ReplyDeleteI just heard some of the schools here start next week @_@ I'm not looking forward to the crazy traffic in the morning by my house again lol
ReplyDeleteA couple high schools in my area started today. Yup, today. I was shocked. I thought we were starting really early. The traditional high schools start in two weeks.
DeleteTeachers are definitely underpaid.
ReplyDeleteAnd substitute teachers doubly so ;)
Deleteoh my....seems you did not even take a break??? And back at it again so soon. Sleeper, that would be me. I would get so tired I would fall asleep I am sure..haha
ReplyDeleteI did not. And that's a good thing :)
DeleteGood grief. I hope that sleeper wakes up. Be well!
ReplyDeleteHe's awake, but he might as well be asleep...
Delete10 minutes is on his way to getting a girl knocked up and driving a taxi for a living
ReplyDeleteLOL. Yeah, probably.
DeleteThat's funny that they tell on themselves. :) My daughter was a teacher in Flint - don't drink the water, Michigan - and oh my the stories she would tell me about the students..
ReplyDeleteI bet. They are ever entertaining.
DeleteGah! You deserve a medal. I bet Ten Minutes is up all night on the XBox... or something worse.
ReplyDeleteProbably.
DeleteHmm, still not sure what continuation high school is. But you'd think these kids would learn if they put the effort in they would actually get a holiday like all their friends.
ReplyDelete