Wednesday. Eighth grade science. In a classroom directly across from that art class I just left.
Several of the students had been in the art class. And many students in the art class had to say hello when they passed by me. It's funny how they hate me when I'm there, but they miss me when I'm gone. Sigh.
The kiddos had plenty of work, but of course several of them didn't make good use of their time. Typical middle school stuff.
Jorge was seated directly in front of me, and all period he was doing as little as possible. The usual stuff. But when he picked up his Chromebook by the screen...
I remember as a kid being instructed to hold library books a certain way as to not damage them. These kiddos handle Chromebooks as if they're cheap and indestructible. I gasped, and then I warned Jorge to be careful with the computer. If the computer breaks due to his handling of it...
"You would snitch on me?"
I attempted to explain that as the adult in the room it was my responsibility to look after the materials in the classroom, and making sure he had a consequence for mishandling the materials was part of my job. But he wasn't listening.
Jorge howled about me being a snitch. Sigh.
Eighth graders...
He did not, in fact, damage the Chromebook. So, I did not have to leave his name for damaging classroom materials.
Way to pass the buck, Jorge.
ReplyDeleteHe's just that sort. I will not be surprised if he ends up at the continuation high school one day.
DeleteThe fact that being snitched on being more of a big deal w=to him than damaging a chromebook that his parents would probably have to pay for, says a lot.
ReplyDeleteVery true.
DeleteI'm surprised he even asked. As far as I remember substitutes had to be bigger "snitches" than their regular teachers. Let the teachers know who was acting up. Sad you can recognize who'll you see in a few years in the continuation classes.
ReplyDeleteI can't say for certain he'll end up there. I am frequently surprised by students who do go there and students who never do.
DeleteLike Lisa above, I too was surprised he asked that at all. I too come across youngsters now who think they are entitled to do whatever they're doing.
ReplyDeleteIt was very him. It was less a question and more an expression of outrage.
DeleteThis post makes me so glad I'm not a teacher. It really annoys me when someone is needlessly careless/destructive with things.
ReplyDeleteMiddle schoolers are so careless. Much of their destructive tendencies are carelessness, but not all. They do grow out of it.
Deletehahaha they are unbelievable!
ReplyDeleteOh, this didn't shock me at all.
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