It was Halloween. So, the teacher left them a video. An episode of The Twilight Zone.
(It was "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet". Here's the link. Unfortunately, it's mirror flipped, so all the words are opposite.)
Then, because students will ignore videos, they had a "quiz" after. It wasn't so much a quiz as just something to verify that they hadn't been on their phones. Ms. S said that they could work together on it.
Of course, some of them were on their phones. They didn't even attempt the "quiz". In fact, they were surprised by it when I passed it out. I don't know why. I announced it as I intro'ed the video.
Ah well.
Sixth period. They were awful. A group of boys was just loud. And obnoxious.
The loudest and most obnoxious of the group then complained that he had missed some of the first ten minutes (because he had been talking and such). He pulled out his phone, searched his Netflix, and found that the series was available.
Um, it was being projected on a big screen at the front of the room. But somehow, this wasn't the quality that he liked. He'd rather watch it on his phone.
As long as he watched it...
The episode was over. I passed out the questions (which were multiple choice and obvious). The boy was still watching on his phone. I looked over his shoulder.
I'm sure you won't be shocked if I tell you he wasn't watching "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet". However, he was watching The Twilight Zone. Yes, the black & white original series.
He was watching the "Living Doll" episode. You know, talking Tina.
I mean, great selection. I applaud the choice. But later. You know, after he'd completed the questions for the episode that was assigned...
Sigh. Let's just say that Ms. S wasn't shocked when that boy's name came up.
It seems some kids expend more energy being dishonest. Sort of like criminals, so many of whom would be better off working an honest job. Baffling. Be well!
ReplyDeleteWe try to tell them this, but some have to learn this lesson the hard way.
DeleteAhh...I love that episode where William Shatner does his best staccato acting. That gremlin freaked me out when I was young too bad the gremlin couldn't take those kids for a spin. What were some of the questions?
ReplyDeleteDo I have your email address? I'll email you the quiz.
DeleteShould I leave it here??
DeleteNow that was really dumb to watch the wrong one. And we didn't get to watch The Twilight Zone in school. What's wrong with those kids?
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful that when I was teaching, it was in a school located so far in the middle of nowhere that cell phones would not work, and even if they did, the kids wouldn't have been permitted to have them anyway. Having to deal with that every day—I don't know how y'all put up with it.
ReplyDeleteThat's just rude by any standards. I'm for quick whack up the side of the head for that kid, but then, of course, I'd be sued or dismissed or both.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds a bit like me dealing with my 5yo. I try to make things very clear "You can watch a show after you finished your homework" but he melts down into fits of "I want to watch I show" and it's like I don't know how to convey more clearly that "You can, but AFTER you've finished your homework."
ReplyDeleteHopefully my son will have grown out of it by the time he reaches that boy's age...
Hopefully. I wouldn't worry about it. Most of these kids have other issues that lead to this behavior.
DeleteThat's so funny that he ended up interested in the show, but not the episode they were supposed to be watching. Classic.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he appreciates the show, but really ...
ReplyDeleteIt's his way of disobeying sort of.
DeleteI assume he missed almost every question.
ReplyDeleteYou are a saint, Liz. You are. I subbed less than a year when things veered to head me down the path to where I am today. I always figured that subbing would be my back up in financial straits. Still don't count it out. Of course, I'd have to pass that test first. I wonder if I could.
ReplyDeleteThinking about the Twilight Zone ep., I marvel at the fact that kids are able to absorb all these different bits of our cultural landscape via Youtube. I remember listening to some young 20-somethings who knew the Hey, Koolaid! tagline cuz they'd seen the old ads online. It was weird.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what they know. It's amazing what else they don't know.
DeleteI think it was kind of cool to be able to watch The Twilight Zone on Halloween. Even doing a quiz about it would have been fun! Wonder how many of the class later went on to trick or treat.
ReplyDeletebetty
Considering that I work in the city where Rod Serling grew up, you'd think we would have seen these films in our schools. I'm not sure my son ever did.
ReplyDeleteI know my teachers would have never shown these. We had to catch them on TV as reruns. But nowadays, a couple of the screenplays are in their textbooks, so it's curricular.
DeleteHa! At being shocked over the quiz. smh And oops on his part.
ReplyDeleteIt's truly challenging for a teacher to have children like that. No wonder, it is said phones are a great distraction. The only silver lining perhaps is that he did come around to watching the episode, though not the one assigned.
ReplyDeleteYes, he is challenging. I think it's a game to him, doing as little as he possibly can.
DeleteWhat a different world from how it was when I was in school!
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind this is the continuation high school where the kiddos who were failing out go. There's a different (lack of) work ethic there.
DeleteWhat a struggle to turn these kids around. The few that teachers are able to reach must be all that keeps them going!
ReplyDelete