Friday. Eighth grade English, fifth period.
The kiddos had an assignment on culture. It was a project that they had had a couple weeks to work on. It was due, but eighth graders. Ms. R knew most of them had not finished it, so she was giving them one last period to get it done.
Those students who actually had done what they were supposed to do got the period to get a jump start on an assignment that wasn't going to be due until January.
Jesse informed me he had "short term memory". No, I don't know what that means. To him, it meant that the fact that he got so easily distracted that he got practically no work done was justified by some amorphous brain issue.
He suffers from being an eighth grader.
Jesse asked if his friend could sit next to him. The co-teacher pointed out that the two of them were holding a conversation just fine from where they were sitting. (They were.) And they continued to do so, even though I repeatedly asked Jesse how his assignment was coming along.
The girl between Jesse and his friend wasn't getting much done either. Mostly because she was contributing to the conversation. She was attempting to write something about being a tuba player. I gave her a couple ideas. She didn't think they worked. (Fine. I was just trying to get her working.)
Considering that the end of the semester is a couple weeks away, you'd think they'd be more on top of their work. Nope. They spent a lot of time looking at their grades. And being unhappy with their grades. I did point out the obvious, but at that age, they'll talk something to death before attempting to do anything.
At the end of the period I went to collect their projects. A few had finished. Jesse and his group? Nope. I pointed out the last day to turn in late work (as if they hadn't turned in the work, it was now late) was the following Wednesday.
I wonder how many of them will get the assignment in by then.
Middle school, hopefully they will learn procrastinating just isn't worth it!
ReplyDeleteSome of them do? Eventually? I don't know. I keep pointing out the issue. I hope it sticks with some.
DeleteThat's an awesome line: He suffers from being an eighth grader. Love it.
ReplyDeleteI'm rather proud of that line. Thanks.
DeleteTypical 8th graders
ReplyDeleteYup.
DeleteThey may get them done, but sloppily, and be unhappy with the low grades!
ReplyDeleteYup. And then they'll whine about those low grades and wonder how they occurred. Sigh.
DeleteI love that Jesse with his short term memory. Gen Alpha uses jargon to put off sane adults. I come across students who hurl at me phrases like 'panic attack' and 'insult to my personal dignity.' Then I begin to feel pity for them.
ReplyDeleteThey don't get the references, so they misuse the phrases. It's the age.
DeleteLooking at grades is terrible :/
ReplyDeleteThey get obsessed with looking at their grades.
DeleteLOL...your stories are always entertaining. I remember my 8th grade as a favorite year. We had lots of fun,, and I got good grades, had teachers that weren't too bad and enjoyed the school dances. I don't remember us being so irresponsible, nor do I remember us getting extra time to get work done. I had regular baby sitting jobs and think I was a pretty responsible 8th grader, think most of my friends were as well. Maybe we all just were more mature because that was expected? I wonder.
ReplyDeleteThe question is: how did the adults around you feel about your behavior? We don't know how bad we were until we see kiddos that age and wonder. Did we do that? Yes, yes we did.
Delete"He suffers from being an eighth grader" LOL. You guys really are the hero. I hope you have a GREAT break!
ReplyDeleteAllie of
www.allienyc.com
Thanks.
DeleteThis is too funny. I remember being in 8th grade and I always got my assignments in.
ReplyDelete"He suffers from being an eighth grader. Perfect!"
ReplyDeleteSeems like those students get more chances to hand things in than I did in the day, but then again my 8th grade memories aren't fond ones. Suffering from 8th grade indeed!
ReplyDeleteY'all had some mean middle school teachers. I remember many instances of major projects being due, and then on the due date we'd get a slight extension. I mean, I was ready, but that extra time was nice.
DeleteIf I remember correctly, when the holidays came up and were getting close to having time off things for kids got harder, cause they tend to make it like that on themselves. I do love that line, "He suffers from being an 8th grader".....but isn't that true for most kids in each grade!! lol
ReplyDeleteOur semester ends right before the break, so it's all due. End of semester scramble is real.
DeleteI couldn't endure the frustration. ~shakes head~ Thank you for keeping on.
ReplyDeleteIt's the perfect blog fodder. If I didn't do this, I wouldn't have anything to write about.
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