Friday, March 31, 2023

Not So Slick

Thursday. Seventh grade science. First period.

I was warned in the lesson plan that the classes were challenging, although I was specifically warned about third period. (A difficult seventh grade science class? You don't say...)

In order to get ahead of potential problems, I started off tough. I urged the students to get into their seats as soon as they got in the classroom, and I warned them that they should get to work and put the cell phones away. 

The room was set up for easy strolling (see above picture), so once I got the introduction out of the way and the assignment distributed, I walked the room.

Jackson was on his phone. I stood behind him, reading the text he was sending. 

the sub needs to gtfo

"That's probably true," I said. He startled. "But it's time to put the phone away and get to work." 

He immediately flipped his phone over, but it was too late. I had seen the text. I probably should have been offended. I wasn't. The middle school sullenness and attitude when it comes to phones lately has been comical. The looks they give...

I didn't go after the phones too much. Mostly the students did their work. I kept after them to remain seated. That seemed to keep any issues from flaring up.

I wonder if Jackson was texting Jaxon. His twin. Who sat on the other side of the room and who also had his phone out. (Yes, both names are pronounced exactly the same. I wonder about their parents.) 

14 comments:

  1. Cell phones in the classroom, ugh.

    But those two boys, what were their parents thinking?

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    1. I don't know. But I couldn't keep that naming thing to myself. It's just too weird.

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  2. It's good that you can turn this attitude into entertainment (and blog posts). You have a good sense for where to pick your battles. As for the twins with the same name spelled differently, I'm still chewing on that one.

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    1. The text kind of made me laugh (internally). Sometimes I just enjoy the show.

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  3. The parents didn't want to think up a new name. No wonder he's sullen.

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  4. thecontemplativecat here. When it became more common for students to get phones, we collected them, put them in a shoe box. When they finished their work, they got their phones as they left the room. Those who didn't had to come back to retrieve them at the end of school. Principal kept the phones in her office.

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    Replies
    1. Around here, the parents complained, and the administrators relented. But some teachers are beginning to require the students to put their phones up during the class period.

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  5. Replies
    1. That's the job. Although, I'm kind of scrambling for posts for next week. Some weeks are easier than others.

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  6. That was too much of that kid to write. Glad you could see the comic side of it. Phone are indeed a major distraction.

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  7. I am listening to White Rabbit right now and believe their parents have done a few. There's way to many other thing to get offended by than those twits

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  8. Poor kids, with names like that. You have to wear a lot of hats as a sub.

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    Replies
    1. I just wonder what they get called at home. I mean, that would get confusing in a hurry if they were only called by their actual names.

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