Thursday, July 25, 2019

Fake Amanda


I'm not great at detecting lies, but sometimes the kiddos are obvious. Today's #ThrowbackThursday post is from February 22, 2008, but I remember it well. 

Today I covered a 7th grade world history class.

I needed a silent room. I was not getting it. So, I warned them: "I will take down the names of those who continue to talk." This only works when I cover some teachers. This was one of them.

They fought me on it for a moment. I stared down the few whose names were going to be on my list. Then one of the girls (the talkers were all girls in this group) told me to write down her name. "I'm Amanda," she said.

She offered up her name way too easily. I was suspicious. I checked the seating chart. Sure enough, Amanda sat in that seat. But she did not look like an Amanda. She did not feel like an Amanda. I was sure I was being lied to.

Twenty minutes later (I had gotten my silence, so I didn't need to make my list) two other students were exchanging words. "Amanda, I have it here." The first student was talking to a different girl, not the one who claimed to be Amanda. I knew it!

After a quick perusal of the seating chart, I figured out who the fake Amanda was. Joanna. I was pretty sure. The two girls had probably switched seats.

Then someone called to the fake Amanda, calling her Joanna. I was right.

I don't know why they do this. I don't know what they get out of it. Today? They get honorable mention in my note to their teacher.

Ms. T recently retired. I miss her classes. She did not put up with this sort of nonsense. That girl was in serious trouble afterward.

18 comments:

  1. I to have trouble with lairs, I guess when people lye to you is to make fool of you.
    Coffee is on

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  2. I bet Ms. T doesn't miss her classes and she's probably enjoying retirement :) I'm curious, how should an Amanda look like?

    betty

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  3. I have a feeling this gal is now on assistance with one kid already

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  4. Hope Joanna took whatever Ms. T gave her to heart and started on a more positive path.

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  5. Replies
    1. Names... Who'd a thunk that'd be my superpower?

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  6. Fake Amanda was a true brat. ;)

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  7. I told my grandkids when they were little that I had 'lie detector eyes' and that I knew when they were lying. They believed me up until early teens and then I just had to read the body language.

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  8. Just think, fake Amanda must be about 23 years old now.

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  9. Never believe kids when they make it easy, eh? LOL

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    Replies
    1. No. Not for something that they're getting into trouble for. If you're praising them, then they're very forthcoming. But punishment... Nope.

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  10. I know what an Amanda looks like, and not only that, this wonderful cousin of mine is a school psychologist! I hope Mrs. T is enjoying her retirement. She certainly deserved it.

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  11. Sounds like Mrs. T had her hands full. Did Amanda hear Joanna? I'm not sure why one kid would want to get another in trouble, especially if the kid they are trying to get in trouble is actually in the classroom.

    Sounds like it was a fun day for you. You got to play detective! No boring sub days for you.f

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    Replies
    1. At that age... You're probably aware that kiddos tend to not think ahead to consequences. I doubt she thought very far ahead.

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